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Where did we start?

CJ WildBird Foods was set up in 1987 on a farm in rural Shropshire by Chris Whittles, a lifelong ornithologist and wildlife enthusiast. Initially researching and providing just a small range of seeds for wild birds, we've grown rapidly and 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.

Did you know?

• Ornithologists at CJs have researched wild bird foods through a food development programme that has significantly extended the range of foods available. 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. 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 to the garden many of the wild bird foods that are now taken for granted. Hard to believe, but just 20 years ago foods such as black sunflower seed, sunflower hearts, Nyjer seed and kibbled sunflower hearts were just not on the menu!
• CJs developed and introduced a new concept in bird 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've also used our wildlife expertise to develop specialist food mixes including our Hedgehog Food endorsed by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

Key Personnel

Chairman: Chris Whittles - 'CJ'

A qualified consultant agronomist and lifelong ornithologist, Chris was the Honorary Secretary of the BTO, is a qualified bird ringer, has lectured throughout Europe, serves on numerous wild bird advisory panels and is well respected for his unique mix of ornithological and agronomic expertise.

Chief Executive: Tony Cordery

A graduate in Industrial Economics, Tony qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG before joining Ernst & Young in the Middle East and then moving into industry.

Wildlife Advice Manager: Martin George

A lifetime-qualified ornithologist, Martin has additional expertise in entomology and wildlife management. He is available to offer informed and practical wildlife advice to customers and is responsible for our popular monthly e-newsletter and Monthly Tips feature.

Research programmes

We are sincerely 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, Cirl Bunting 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.

Subbuteo Natural History Books

CJs book arm, Subbuteo Natural History Books joined us in 2002. Our specialist natural history book supplier stocks thousands of natural history and travel books, maps and charts including many hard-to-find titles. Visit www.wildlifebooks.com to find out more.

Europe

In 2002, we expanded into Europe by acquiring a Dutch company involved in the design, manufacture and sale of feeders, nest boxes and a range of other wooden products to form a new branch based in the Netherlands. Since then, this branch has expanded its operations by establishing mail order operations in a number of European countries:

You can take a look at our European operations by visiting:

Europe:	www.vivara.com
Austria:	www.vivara.at
Belgium:	www.vivara.be
Denmark:	www.vivara.dk
France:	www.vivara.fr
Germany:	www.vivara.de
Holland:	www.vivara.nl
Ireland:	www.birdfood.ie
Sweden:	www.vivara.se
Luxembourg:	www.vivara.lu

How to find us...

All customers are welcome to visit us, look at products on display and buy direct from the warehouse. We are open from 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday and from 9.00am to 12.00pm on Saturday

Anyone who collects their own goods receives a discount on all purchases, excluding books and multimedia. We advise customers to phone before visiting to check the availability of the items they wish to purchase.

A small number of products including live foods, ladybirds, trees and caterpillars are despatched direct from our suppliers; however, due to customer demand we do try to have mealworms available on site.

Important: CJ's cannot be accessed directly from the A5; please follow B4380. The OS map reference for CJ's is SJ568123.

To download a larger (PDF version) of the map, Click Here

CJ WildBird Foods The Rea Upton Magna Shrewsbury SY4 4UR

Tel: 01743 709555 Fax: 01743 709504 Email: enquiries@birdfood.co.uk