Does feeding Baltimore Orioles mess up their ability to survive on their own ? (1 Viewer)

[buckofdurham]

Last year I was feeding Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. Once they started nesting. I realized they were staying soI felt obligated to keep the jelly jars full. They were eating three shot glass amounts of jelly a day with some grapes and oranges.

I am in Mid West Indiana. I don't think their are much natural fruits. We do have black berries, cherry trees, persimmon trees, apples even muscidine. Most of which have fruit in the fall. But I have not seen any close to my house. Maybe a few black berries and a small cherry tree.

I am expecting the Orioles to start arriving in a few weeks. If I don't put jelly and fruit out they leave.
This year I am going to NC for a month. Should I hire someone to come over and feed my Orioles whilst I am gone ? (any volunteers)

Perhaps I should notify all my neighbors to pick up the slack whilst I am gone. I am on a lake with really tall hardwoods. It's perfect Oriole habitat.
My question is; Should I continue to feed the Orioles?

I took this pic through my glass window with my phone.

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there ! My Orioles love the jelly but they also grab insects off the trunk of my trees.

 

[raymie]

Feeding birds does not usually mess up a bird's ability to survive. And Baltimore Orioles don't just feed on fruit - they also eat insects and nectar. Your orioles will be fine if you don't feed them for a month.