Corn is a good source of carbohydrates, which in turn gives birds energy to stay warm. Suet, is also a good source of high energy food for warmth. There are other ways to help birds endure the cold. Roosting boxes offer excellent shelter by increasing the temperature of the immediate surrounding area for the inhabitant. Another winter difficulty faced by birds is the availability of fresh water.
Some birds have difficulty consuming snow as a source of water and thus fresh water is preferable.
Proper feeder maintenance will ensure that an ample amount of bird feed will be available to help keep the birds warm. Be sure to keep the tray of the feeder free of ice and frozen seed. Finally, the availability of grit diminishes in the winter as the snow grows deeper. Birds are often forced to find grit on the roadway which presents two problems. The mixes have no chemicals, artificial flavours, artificial colours or oils.