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September 24, 2025 | Kelly Barany, Chin Ridge Seeds
We have long thought that backyard bird feeding is a hobby that brings joy to people of all ages and backgrounds. But we also hoped for scientific studies to validate that belief.
One such study, led by Associate Professor Ashley Dayer at Virginia Tech, aimed to use Project FeederWatch data to explore the mental health benefits of backyard bird feeding: See Bird feeding may give humans something to chirp about | EurekAlert! Unfortunately, due to recent federal funding cuts, that study was cancelled: See Trump science cuts roil university labs, targeting bird feeder research, AI literacy work and more | Financial Post
Still, we aren’t without evidence. A prior study by the University of Exeter, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the University of Queensland (published in BioScience, Vol. 67, Issue 2, Feb 2017) found that neighborhoods with abundant backyard birds and plant life showed lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Here’s why we believe bird feeding can boost well-being:
Fresh air + sunshine + movement
Filling the feeder gets you outside, breathing deeper, and moving your body.
Delight in birdwatching
Spotting birds, identifying species, and knowing you’re supporting their habitat brings small moments of joy.
Fascination with nature
Watching migration patterns or observing bird behavior connects us to the natural world and its wonder.
A sense of purpose & connection
Contributing to wildlife health and observing nature in action can make us feel more grounded and connected.
We’d love to hear from you:
Do you believe feeding backyard birds improves mental health or lifts your spirits? Is it truly #cheeperthantherapy? Email us with your thoughts at Email Us.
If you’re new to birding, here’s a simple starter kit:
A feeder: A basic tube or hopper feeder works well.
Seed: We recommend Mother Nature's medium sunflower chips — low mess, high nutrition, and a favorite among many species.
Suet feeder + suet: Use a quality suet like Pine Tree Farms to attract more species.
Reference guide: Books on bird identification or feeder setup (for example, by Myrna Pearman) help bring clarity. Myrna Pearman's books
Feeding system guide: We offer a guide (send us an email or Join our email list) on how to arrange your yard to visit more bird species.
And that’s it — set it up, observe, and see if you notice changes in mood or well-being.
We’ve been passionate about backyard bird feeding for decades. Our seed blends are designed to attract the birds you want to your backyard. When you choose our products, you’re choosing quality, freshness, and a trusted name in bird feeding.
Do you believe bird feeding improves mental health? Share your story with us and use the hashtag #CheeperThanTherapy on social media. Together, we can spread the joy of backyard birds and inspire others to give it a try.
Note Mother Nature's products are now available in Ontario! For a full list of stores see Where to Buy Chin Ridge Seeds Bird and Small Pet Food
