Product Description

Perky-Pet Products Co. has been recognized as a producer of fine wild bird feeders and accessories for the wild bird enthusiast. Hummers can expend energy at a far greater rate than any other bird. Bearing this in mind, it is easy to see why they must feed often and on energy laden nectars. Perky-Pet 'Original' Instant Nectar 234 is a dry mix that only needs tap water added. No boiling is required and the nectar contains no artificial sweeteners. The mix comes in six handy pre-measured packets for easy mixing and freshness.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20277 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Perky Pet
• Model: 234
• Dimensions: 3.10 pounds

Features

• Perky Pet #234 2LB Original Nectar
• WOODSTREAM CORP

Customer Reviews

Junk food for hummingbirds
Why is this stuff "junk food"? Not because it's 99% sugar - that's what hummingbirds drink real flower nectar for. It's because this product, like so much human junk food, is laced with unnatural, unnecessary, and potentially hazardous chemicals. The description brags that it doesn't contain any artificial sweeteners (duh!), but if this really is the original Perky Pet formula it does contain the food coloring Red #40. This synthetic coal-tar dye is the single most popular food coloring in the world, but it's actually banned in some countries over concerns about its safety. From a health standpoint it's important to remember that a hummingbird may drink more than *three times its weight* in nectar or feeder solutions each day. Even a relatively harmless chemical can have damaging effects at such high consumption rates.

Unnecessary additives such as dyes, preservatives, and flavorings are just one reason that hummingbird experts discourage the use of products such as this one. Another is cost. Even the dye-free "instant nectars" contain absolutely nothing to justify a price that's 5 to 8 times higher than that of ordinary white sugar (which is actually sucrose, the natural sugar hummingbirds prefer above all others). A simple solution of 3 to 5 parts water to 1 part white table sugar is convenient, inexpensive, and much more natural for the birds. Remember to clean the feeder and change the solution every 2 to 5 days. For even happier, healthier hummingbirds, plant hummingbird-friendly flowers such as red salvias and columbines and keep your yard pesticide free to provide the tiny insects and spiders that they need for a well-rounded diet.

Why the dye?
There is no reason to put red food coloring into the mix. There are numerous concerns about the effect on hummingbirds. This is reason enough to not buy this product. Buy a product without the dye.

Better yet, just buy sugar. Use 4 parts water and 1 part sugar. Boil the water first and then add the sugar until dissolved. You will save money and perhaps a hummingbird's life doing this versus buying dye tainted food. Hummingbird food is only sugar with coloring.

CAUTION. DO NOT use artificial sweeteners or honey, use only sugar. Honey and sugar substitutes will malnourish and quickly kill hummingbirds. Sugar Only!

Don't risk the birds and waste your money
The only thing in this that should be there is sugar. The rest is stuff you shouldn't be adding to your feathered friends diet. This stuff is also three times the price of baker's sugar from any old grocery store, four times the price of regular granulated sugar that takes a little longer to dissolve. This is a bad buy, bad for the birds and bad for your pocket.