(Joan Casanova) Have you ever wondered what’s in your favorite packaged foods, grabbed a box from your pantry, read the ingredients and realized you still didn’t know what you’re eating? The ingredients in some processed foods can read like a chemist’s shopping list. Now imagine if backyard birds could read. What would they say about the ingredients in the food you feed them?

A growing number of Americans are choosing natural foods for their pets; nearly one-third say they prefer natural products, according to PetFoodIndustry.com. People who feed wild birds also want to know they’re feeding the most natural and nutritious options. It’s hard to be confident when reading the mystifying ingredient list on feed bags makes you feel like a bird brain.

With an abundance of options, ranging from commercial bird feeds to small-batch varieties, understanding the differences can help bird lovers make informed choices to meet wild birds’ nutritional needs while considering factors like sustainability and quality.

The wild bird experts at Cole’s Wild Bird Products, Co. offer these tips to ensure you’re feeding your feathered friends a healthy, natural diet.

While commercial bird feeds aim to provide basic nutrition for birds, the quality and nutritional content can vary. Some mixes contain a high proportion of less desirable seeds and fillers, offering limited nutritional value.

Small batch bird feeds prioritize nutritional content, using premium ingredients rich in essential nutrients, fats and proteins. This can provide birds with a more balanced diet, promoting overall health and vitality.

Avoid commercial bird feeds that are full of cheap fillers, such as red milo, millet, cracked corn, oats and wheat. Fillers lack nutritional value and birds will kick them right out of the feeder.

Instead, select small batch, natural feed comprised of top-of-the-crop seeds which contain no chemicals or mineral oil like Cole’s and bypass seed coated with them. Some commercial bird feeds are coated with mineral oil and mixed with crushed rock to add “vitamins.” Current regulations allow manufacturers to list nutritional components of mineral oil (iron, zinc) and crushed rock (vitamin A, calcium carbonate) separately, which can make the ingredients look more impressive. Mineral oil makes birdseed shiny and helps hide dirt and dust, and crushed rock adds weight to the product.

Take note of ingredients you can’t read; often it’s an indication the ingredient is synthetic or lab engineered. Ingredients like menadione sodium bisulfite complex and thiamine mononitrate aren’t found in natural foods; they’re man-made versions of vitamins. The rule of thumb for buying all-natural is “If you can’t read it, don’t feed it.”  

Focus on serving feed with an ingredient list you can read and understand. For instance, Cole’s Sunflower Meats contains nothing but shelled sunflower seeds and White Millet contains 100% white millet. Super simple, right?

Study birds visiting your feeders and research feed they prefer or buy feed from a reputable company that’s done that work for you. For example, Cole’s offers select natural seed choices developed and based on research about what birds actually eat. Feed is specifically formulated to attract certain species of birds as well as the largest number of birds. No cheap filler seeds are used and seed is cleaned to ensure quality – no sticks and dirt. When you know and serve what backyard birds prefer, they’ll keep coming back for more.

Supplement seed with natural foods you have at home. For example, woodpeckers love raw peanuts, mockingbirds love fruit and chickadees savor suet. Soak raisins and currants in water overnight then serve or purchase blends with a dried fruit and nut mixture, like Nutberry suet. To attract orioles, skewer halved oranges on a spike near feeders.

Buy feed from companies specializing in wild bird food. Some offer bird feed as a side product of pet products or grass seed producers. Conversely, Cole’s exclusively produces and sells products for feeding backyard birds. Seeds are packaged like human food in “Harvest Fresh Lock” packaging so seeds don’t lose nutritional content or dry out and spoil.

To learn more about all-natural feed options with ingredients even birds could understand, visit coleswildbird.com.

Photos courtesy of Cole’s Wild Bird Products

SOURCE:
Cole’s Wild Bird Seed

Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live 2024 list is out, and it’s bigger and better than ever before. With the help of ADT, the number one smart home security provider in the U.S., Money has curated a list of communities that are creating outstanding lives for their residents. These hidden gems showcase the best that America has to offer and provide models for how communities can come together to create lasting impacts.

This year’s list features five exciting new categories. First up, we have “Suburbs with a Soul.” These suburbs not only offer the comfort and convenience of traditional suburban living but also boast a vibrant community spirit, with plenty of cultural, artistic, and historical depth.

Next on the list are the “New Boomtowns.” These areas are undergoing rapid transformation, experiencing economic and population growth like never before. They are the new frontiers of innovation, offering plentiful job opportunities and making a name for themselves on the economic map.

For those seeking a rich cultural experience, the “Culture Hubs” category is sure to impress. These cities are renowned for their cultural landscapes, featuring museums, theaters, music venues, and diverse culinary scenes that attract artists and culture enthusiasts from all walks of life.

But the list doesn’t stop there. Money recognizes that college towns are not just defined by their academic institutions. The category “Not Just College Towns” highlights towns that offer a dynamic living experience beyond their universities, with cutting-edge research, thriving local economies, and vibrant social scenes.

Last but certainly not least, Money unveils the “Best Kept Secrets” category. These hidden gems may fly under the radar, but they offer an unmatched quality of life with their serene beauty, close-knit communities, and affordable living options.

To determine which towns made the list, Money assessed various factors. Economic opportunity for individuals was a key consideration, including job availability, upward mobility, and income growth potential. The health and success of small businesses were also analyzed, reflecting the community’s support for entrepreneurship and innovation. Government policies that favor growth, such as tax incentives and investment in infrastructure, played a role in determining the economic development of these communities. And of course, the safety and well-being of residents were given top priority.

ADT, the partner for this year’s list, understands the importance of safety and security in these communities. They work closely with local governments and residents to ensure that people feel safe in their homes and businesses. ADT’s analysis found that some of the safest towns in the country made it onto Money’s Best Places to Live list.

Money’s Best Places to Live franchise has been guiding people since 1987. It has not only shaped national discourse but has also featured in movies and been shared by prominent politicians. With its 50-plus-year legacy, Money continues to provide up-to-date information, education, and tools to guide people to financial victories and create richer lives for everyone.

So, whether you’re looking for a suburban community with soul, an emerging boomtown, a cultural hub, a vibrant college town, or a hidden gem, Money’s Best Places to Live 2024 list has got you covered. Explore the full list on Money’s website and discover the communities that could be the perfect place for you to call home.

About ADT:
ADT provides safe, smart and sustainable solutions for people, homes and small businesses. Through innovative offerings, unrivaled safety and a premium customer experience, all delivered by the largest networks of smart home security professionals in the U.S., we empower people to protect and connect to what matters most, every second, every day. For more information, visit adt.com.

¹ Source: Tech Insights, “Analysis – Top 10 US Interactive Security Providers – May 2023”

SOURCE Money

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/money-announces-best-places-to-live-2024-302110552.html

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge/urbanism/

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PORTLAND, Ore. /PRNewswire/ — The Dyrt, the No. 1 app for camping availability, photos and reviews, has found that more than half of campers camped with dogs in 2023. The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report presented by The All-New Toyota Tacoma revealed that 53.7% of campers brought their pooches to the campsite last year.

While dogs are by far the most popular pet to camp with, 5.8% of respondents said they went camping with cats. Other campers reported bringing along chickens, box turtles, guinea pigs and parrots.

“We often run The Dyrt remotely from our camper van and Brandy, aka The Dyrt Dog, is with us for every mile,” says Sarah Smith, founder of The Dyrt. “Sometimes it seems like she has to pack more gear than us, but it’s so amazing to have her with us 24/7 as we work and enjoy campgrounds across the country.”

Property owners and campground managers worked to accommodate dogs as well as campers in 2023. Dog parks were the third-most popular amenity to be added to campgrounds, behind only Wi-Fi and pickleball courts. And non-human companions are especially prevalent in the RV camping community, as RV campers were 20.8% more likely to camp with pets.

“I love taking my dog Lola with me camping because to me it reminds me of the quintessential Americana where an individual is hiking on a trail or sleeping under the stars with their beloved friend,” says The Dyrt camper Steven M. of Utah. “When Lola sees me packing up the camper and truck, she starts her little zoomies happy dance. The bond we share while out in nature or in the middle of nowhere is priceless. Also, camping and dogs go together like pancakes and syrup!”

Bringing dogs and cats on camping trips was most prevalent in Washington, where campers were 8% more likely to camp with dogs and 24% more likely to camp with cats.

Each year The Dyrt presents the Top 9 for K-9s list of best places to camp with dogs, largely based on reviews and amenities tailored to the tailed. The 2024 list will be released in July. There are more than 12 million reviews of 70,000 campgrounds on The Dyrt, and some of them include dog- and pet-specific information that is extremely helpful for planning camping trips when being accompanied by four-legged friends.

About The Dyrt

The Dyrt is the only comprehensive camping app with over 12 million user-generated reviews, photos and tips for RV sites, cabins, glamping and tent camping locations, including all public, private and free camping areas in the United States. The Dyrt is how campers find and book camping of any type anywhere in the U.S. With The Dyrt PRO, campers get reservations at sold-out campgrounds, advanced maps, discounts on camping and more. The Dyrt is the most downloaded camping app in both the iOS and Android app stores. The Dyrt helps millions of campers find “camping near me” — download The Dyrt app today.

Photo Credit: The Dyrt camper Brandy C. at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee

SOURCE The Dyrt