About CJ Wildlife
Where did we start?
CJ Wildlife is the brand name for CJ WildBird Foods Ltd which was set up in 1987 on a farm in Shropshire by Chris Whittles, a lifelong ornithologist and wildlife enthusiast.
Initially researching and providing just a small range of seeds for wild birds, we are now a world leader in the research, design, development and supply of wild bird and wildlife food and feeding products.
We have a wealth of wild bird and wildlife expertise at CJs and have been responsible for a significant number of developments in caring for garden birds and wildlife.
Pioneers in our industry...
- Ornithologists at CJs have researched wild bird foods through a food development programme that has significantly extended the range of foods now available in the UK.
- Over 80 common species of wild birds can now be fed in gardens, compared to just 18 when we started.
- Our research has helped establish year-round feeding for garden birds, with the endorsement of the RSPB, and we can now feed birds during the crucial breeding months of spring and early summer, as well as through the winter.
- We were the first to introduce many of the wild bird foods that are now taken for granted. Hard to believe, but 20 years ago foods such as black sunflower seed, sunflower hearts, nyjer seed, mealworms and kibbled sunflower hearts were just not on the menu!
- CJs developed and introduced a new concept with feeding high energy foods such as sunflower hearts and peanut cakes. This important innovation means that birds can now get straight to the calories they need rather than use valuable time and energy cracking open seeds. This can literally be the difference between life and death for small birds in freezing conditions with only 6 daylight feeding hours available to them.
- We were the first to sell peanuts with nil-detectable aflatoxin. This ensured that peanuts were safe for birds which previously had been at risk from the toxins produced by this killer mould.
- We were the first to introduce 'No Mess' foods and ground feeding mixes to the market.
- We developed the innovative perching ring which allows birds to eat from a feeder facing forwards - their natural feeding position.
- We were the first to introduce mealworms to the wild bird market.
- We've also used our wildlife expertise to develop specialist food mixes including our Hedgehog Food endorsed by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
Research Programmes
We are committed to the conservation and preservation of our wild birds and other wildlife and have over the years supported many research and conservation projects across Europe.
We are currently funding external research projects into many rare and declining bird species including House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Starling, Yellowhammer and Twite - research that will aid understanding of these species and help to address the recent decline in their numbers.
We are also carrying out our own long-term research projects across Europe. To visit our research website please click www.wildlife-research.eu.