| Author | Content |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
11:21 AM Post #5743500
| Here is a male Red-bellied Woodpecker choosing either a whole Brazil nut or Cashew from the mix I put in my platform feeder.
This is a mix called "Just Desserts" from a company called Aspen Song. The mix contains whole Almonds,Brazil nuts,Cashews,Macadamian nuts (sp),Pistachios,Peanuts,Sunflower kernels,
shelled Pumpkin seeds,Walnuts and hulled millet.
I could do without the hulled millet but theres always something you'll find that is not to your liking.
It didn't take long before my Red-bellied Woodpeckers,Blue Jays,Titmice and Cardinals were going crazy for this mix. I expect the Nuthatches will be coming in soon for some.
Here is a page on their website. I have it on the link for the "just desserts" mix.
http://www.aspensongwildbirdfood.com/products/inclusive/just...
Their "Chickadee" mix is also nice but it does contain a good bit of black oil sunflower seed.
Please don't judge this mix by the picture as it does not represent the mix well at all.
I'll get a better picture later. The only other seed I use besides nyjer is Sunflower kernels in the other feeders.
Now let's hear about what you use. There are lots of interesting bird foods out on the market now,
I'll be back to show some more later.
This message was edited Nov 2, 2008 1:38 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
gardenpom
Melbourne, FL
(Zone 9b)
November 02, 2008
11:37 AM Post #5743546
| Nice pic. Pelle. I buy the Mixed nuts in shell for the squirrels every winter, and I get a smaller nut mix to add to the feeders. Have not tried these large nuts for the birds. I have noticed how expensive some of the seed mixes are getting. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
11:40 AM Post #5743553
| I just went out and took this picture of the (just deserts) mix in my platform feeder.
Those peanuts in the shell in the lower left corner are not from the mix. I know there is more than I mentioned in this mix but I don't know what all of it is and it's not mentioned in the ingredients.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
gardenpom
Melbourne, FL
(Zone 9b)
November 02, 2008
11:41 AM Post #5743558
| The birds are eating "high on the hog" at your place. I'm sure the squirrels will enjoy them too! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
11:42 AM Post #5743559
| Your right the seed mixes have gone up in price a number of times. I also heard nyjer (or thistle) is going to go up again.! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
11:44 AM Post #5743563
| This is on a baffled pole system so the squirrels can't get to it. I do give them peanut halves every so often and they get plenty of sunflower kernel pieces from what the birds drop on the other feeders.
|
gardenpom
Melbourne, FL
(Zone 9b)
November 02, 2008
11:48 AM Post #5743579
| I did not see any way to order or prices...where did you get it? |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2008
12:44 PM Post #5743732
| That is a terrific shot of the WP Pelle and that nut mix looks delicious!!
Along with the Black Oiled Sunflower Seeds I have been feeding a Nut N' Berry mix in the platform feeders. I get it at Wally World and all the birds seem to like it including the Bluebirds and Woodpeckers. I also have a small feeder with niger and sunlower chips that the Pine Siskens and Goldfinches love and I noticed a Carolina Wren using it this morning.
Here is a pic of the Siskin's fighting at the little niger and sunflower chip mix! (I think they would fight over a feeder full of garbage)! LOL!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
12:54 PM Post #5743759
| LOL, Rose! I still haven't seen a Pine Sisken here. I've had that mix before and like it but I'll have to keep it on the baffled pole system if I get it again because the darn squirrels go after it. |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2008
01:02 PM Post #5743773
| I only saw 4 Pine Siskin's briefly this past spring...now they are all over the place. I love to watch them and hope they stay the winter.
When I bought this sock feededr I didn't realize it had all that printing on it...the Siskin's don't seem to mind but the Goldfinches don't spend much time on it. Maybe that garrish pic scares them...I don't like it either..LOL!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
01:02 PM Post #5743775
| Here's a company that makes Organic Bird Seed!
http://www.wildwingsorganic.com/seeds-blends.html
I've been very interested in trying the Hemp Seed (for the wild birds,silly!) as I saw it used outside the bird shop I frequent and it seemed very popular. It's quite expensive though and I don't want to waste it on House Finch. They pop with oil when the birds bite into the seed.  |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
02:15 PM Post #5743973
| There are several companys that make hot pepper bird seed. I don't know how long this type of thing works though.
http://www.hotbirdseed.com/catalog2/?cat= Wild Bird Seed |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
02:32 PM Post #5744043
| Sorry GP I didn't see your question earlier.
Here is the page to find out about where its sold. You can do it by typing in your zip code and also on the right hand lower side of the page are some others that sell their brand.
http://www.aspensongwildbirdfood.com/community/dealers/
I bought mine at the bird store.
This message was edited Nov 2, 2008 2:00 PM |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2008
03:04 PM Post #5744151
| Figures nowhere around me...I used to use the Nut & Berry from Wally World with mixed with my BOSS. may try that again. I am have to find the most economical right with the prices what they are. Plus I try to rotate each payday so I don't have to buy everything each time.
So right now I put out BOSS mixed with some peanut pieces in the tray feeder.
Safflower mixed with no waste mix in the dinnerbell.
The platform has BOSS only on one side on the other BOSS plus Corn and Peanut pieces in little dishes. A thistle feeder hanging on one arm and another trayfeeder with the Safflower mix on the other side.
Thistle sock on another shepard hook and last is 2 suet feeder.
No wonder I'm broke!! lol
Oh forgot about the corn cob holders...the jays love the corn and it ends up on the ground and the crows eat it too.
And the big bad blue dish..striped sunflower seeds in that..they are cheap!
It doesn't seem like that much until you list it all... |
Grandmaggie
Beachwood, NJ
(Zone 6b)
November 02, 2008
03:17 PM Post #5744196
| I use the Nut & Berry also. Sparingly! I mix in Boss and safflower also in my tray with the N & B. Nyger with sunflower chips in my finch feeders. Safflower on my platforms, the squirrels dont bother with it. Sometimes I will get a bag of Woodpecker Blend, its good but expensive. GM |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
04:48 PM Post #5744533
| The Nut n Berry is another good mix!
Here is a pic of a Downy Woodpecker on a peanut silo that I have filled with the
Chickadee Mix from aspen song.
http://www.aspensongwildbirdfood.com/products/exclusive/chic...
Besides the ingredients listed it seems to have some peanut halves and even small cashew halves.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
gardenpom
Melbourne, FL
(Zone 9b)
November 02, 2008
05:09 PM Post #5744586
| Thanks, Pelle, but they are nowhere around me either. I use a lot of nut and berry mixes also, mostly from wal-mart or petsmart. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 02, 2008
05:35 PM Post #5744661
| Well their a new company so I'm sure they'll be getting around more as time goes on. |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
November 03, 2008
12:25 AM Post #5746168
| We just use black oil sunflower seed in our single feeder. Plenty of acorns here for squirrels & now that the feeder had to be moved I would like to have them operate on their own. |
beclu727
Dacula, GA
(Zone 7b)
November 03, 2008
09:47 AM Post #5746887
| I use only black oil sunflower seed and thistle. I also have a peanut butter log and 2 suet feeders. I guess its time to make the suet again. The downeys cleaned out the log in 2 days. |
evie_beevie
Essex Junction, VT
(Zone 4a)
November 03, 2008
05:48 PM Post #5748386
| I just saw that brand when I went to get more seed. It was pricey, but it did look quality (and I agree about the millet).
I get 50lb bags of sunflower "chips", which for the brand I get is largely full seeds (not the little bits). I went to this because the price was better at that amount, and the brand (which I forget) is better than the others I've gotten. I get it at my local agway competitor, where they'll bring it out to your car from their storage (if they had the room it would be one of those drive through places).
I also started making my own suet, and that is really popular. I reuse the plastic square containers from the store bought stuff, and make 4 in one batch. And that lasts about a month. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
November 03, 2008
10:09 PM Post #5749436
| I found a 5 lb. bag of Mixed Tree Nuts for 7.95 at the WBU today. I will pick up a few more over the next few weeks to have on hand and add when the weather really gets cold.
They said a customer asked for this mix. So they are seeing how it sells compared to the Woodpecker mix.
This message was edited Nov 3, 2008 9:51 PM |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 03, 2008
10:45 PM Post #5749611
| It might take a week before they start eating it. Be sure to update us. |
beclu727
Dacula, GA
(Zone 7b)
November 04, 2008
09:44 AM Post #5750593
| Sad news for me. My parakeet died yesterday. She was 10 years old and such a sweet bird. DGD and I cried and cried. I am not planning on getting another bird for awhile. I have parakeet seed and millet. Will the wild birds eat it? |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
November 04, 2008
09:47 AM Post #5750604
| awwww. I'm sorry to hear that. ((hugs))
I think you will get some takers on the seed. I'd put it on the ground because doves and juncos will eat millet.
|
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
November 04, 2008
10:00 AM Post #5750630
| Oooo...that is so sad about your parakeet. It is hard losing a beloved pet that has been such a part of our daily lives. Hugs to you both. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 04, 2008
10:12 AM Post #5750660
| Sorry to hear that. Yes the ground birds will eat that as well as others.
This message was edited Nov 4, 2008 4:56 PM |
crazybirdlady51
Wilmar, AR
(Zone 8a)
November 04, 2008
10:56 AM Post #5750802
| I can't buy the specialty mixes but I usually get a mix of black sunflower seeds, safflower and nuts and also some millet to throw on the ground for the doves, etc. I also mix up my homemade suet during the winter. The birds really love this
I'm beginning to see a few new birds come in so I'm getting excited about this winter's birding season |
beclu727
Dacula, GA
(Zone 7b)
November 04, 2008
11:10 AM Post #5750861
| Thanks everyone for your kind words. I'll spread some of the seed out on the ground and see what happens. |
evie_beevie
Essex Junction, VT
(Zone 4a)
November 06, 2008
10:55 AM Post #5758639
| OK, this isn't seed, but it is bird food.
Has anyone tried the various non-live mealworm options from Duncraft? They have a new option in their latest catalog that I'm curious about: Birdwatcher's Choice. They are apparently "soft" and come in mealworms, fly larvae and waxworms.
I once tried roasted mealworms from a local store and the birds didn't seem to like them. So I'm thinking these soft ones may be a good alternative.
If only I could get them local...I hate paying for shipping :) |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
November 06, 2008
10:56 AM Post #5758641
| The Canned ones? I saw those and thought about getting some. |
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
November 06, 2008
05:08 PM Post #5760012
| I do 1 with safflower, 1 with black oiled sunflower and a thistle feeder and a suet feeder for the winter. I want to get a squirrel feeder to see if they'll stay away from the birdseed. |
sadie_mae
Central, KY
(Zone 6b)
November 07, 2008
05:18 PM Post #5763989
| I buy this Fruit & Nut mix, from tractor supply, pretty much all of the birds munch on it. It can get pretty expensive if you have a lot of visitors, so sometimes I mix in more BOSS to stretch it a bit. I also feed shelled peanuts, in shell peanuts, BOSS and sunflower hearts. Sometimes I buy suet and sometimes I make it. May have to cut back some this year, everything seems so expensive!
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Produ... |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 07, 2008
06:34 PM Post #5764208
| That's a good idea sadie.
I do the same now with the new large tree nut mix I've been using. Earlier I complained about the hulled millet in the mix so now I'm keeping a fairly large holed colander out where the bird seeds are kept and I scoop a bunch into the colander and mix it around so the millet falls out on the ground and put all the rest of the mix in the platform feeder. I also put peanut halves and peanuts in the shell into the mix to stretch it further. |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
December 08, 2008
07:24 PM Post #5872171
| Last Winter, I bought the same bag as Sadie does and what I do is mix it in my large container of 'mixed seeds mix'.
I have 3 med/large hard thick plastic trashcans, just for bird food. The cans are locking also. All are 30 to 50 pound cans. I think they're the Rubbermaid Roughneck cans with 2 handles that lock down.
The first one is just for BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds).
The second one is just for 'mixed seeds mix'. I get a 20 pound bag of mixed seeds from Lowe's, add a bag of either the finch mixed or the no-waste from Lowe's (I alternate everything and mix it up). Then, if I have it, I'll add alternately, and mix in the Fruit & Nut mix, from Tractor Supply. I like to add extra white millet to the mix for the Junco's and the White Throated Sparrows that feed in the cold months on the ground. I spread some of the completed mix on the ground for the ground feeding birds everyday.
The third, and last container, I use for storing extra bags of seeds, peanuts, extra seed blocks and containers of seed (thistle, peanuts etc...).
I use those plastic containers to hold and carry bird food to the feeders everyday. You can get them at Lowe's, for instance. Here's what I'm talking about:
http://www.duncraft.com/Seed-Storage-Container--P2197C5.aspx
I need to stop over to the local Tractor Supply Store and see what they have and get some of the Fruit & Nut Mix to mix into my birdseed mix.
Here's a link for the Tractor Supply Stores. Just click onto a state. I realize that they're not in all 50 states.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Store...
I use the trashcans that are locking to make sure I don't get any mice, if they get into the garage, eating my birdfood. I bought the 3 trashcans for birdfood only and the cans have never been used for anything before and/or anything else.
Marilyn
This message was edited Dec 8, 2008 11:29 PM
This message was edited Dec 13, 2008 6:51 PM |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
December 08, 2008
08:12 PM Post #5872372
| Maxwell House now uses plastic containers with lids--DH uses them for taking seed out to fill the feeder. |
sacarvounis
Mashpee, MA
December 08, 2008
09:30 PM Post #5872635
| I use a small locking metal can as I have it out on the back deck so that filling is simpler. I have tried every imaginable container and the raccoons and squirrels just chew through plastic and even wood. I blend a fruit and nut mix with peanut hearts and BOSS and I get a wide range of birds. My DH is making suet this year...we're on our third batch and getting better and better at it. The cheap crunchy PB from BJ's and beef suet from the meat section seems to be a good combo...and easy to make. DH took an oak log and drilled out cupcake sized wells in it for the "paste"...it has become the favored station. The quarreling was intense at first but now I often see a flickers, red bellieds, hairys and a downies sharing the trellis that it hangs on, peacefully taking turns. |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
December 08, 2008
10:27 PM Post #5872878
| Are all the interesting birds congregating on the Cape? I admit that we don't have suet--are squirrels interested, if so how do you keep them away? |
sacarvounis
Mashpee, MA
December 08, 2008
11:32 PM Post #5873090
| Iris,
I have never had a problem with squirrels going after the suet...bigger problem are the opossum & raccoons; they love it! We take down the suet feeders shortly after dark and DH puts them back out at dawn. It is a nuisance but we have improved the pegs/hooks etc. so that it is simple to do. DH also built a squirrel proof platform feeder and the other feeders are either (somewhat) squirrel proof or difficult for them to reach. It helps that we have a neighbor 200' away that has standard issue feeders that the squirrels can get to with ease. He doesn't mind...more power to him!
I haven't seen anything SUPER interesting so far...just my usual favs: juncos, flickers, Carolina wrens, creepers, nuthatches, titmice, hairy wp & red bellied wp. I have had a very large number of titmice (don't know why)...the yard looks very alive when they are there as they are so animated. I did have 6 bluebirds in the yard all winter last year. That was a treat! |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
December 09, 2008
12:35 AM Post #5873265
| I would like to get the red bellied woodys out of the woods where I can see them. there seem to be more titmice here also this yr. Must have had a great nesting season, they are more than the chickadees, at least it seems so. Our racoon population dropped after the rabies moved into the area. Maybe the coyotes have botherd them also so they could have moved on--the coyotes walk down the road & also appear in peoples back yards. they don't trouble feeders. |
sacarvounis
Mashpee, MA
December 09, 2008
08:04 AM Post #5873703
| The 2 red bellieds that are here are both females and they love the fruit & nut mix. They spend more time picking things out of the feeder than on the suet. Usually, if I have them at all, they are shy and only eat suet. These two are fun as they seem to play. We have a coyote problem here also. They are bold as brass; sometimes if I am up early enough, I see them strolling down the middle of the street. They work on the squirrel population but have not affected the raccoons. |
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
December 09, 2008
11:35 AM Post #5874183
| Our squirrels LOVE the suet I don't even do the ones with nuts in it. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 09, 2008
01:09 PM Post #5874604
| My squirrels don't seem to like the suet that doesn't have peanut butter in it. They are always coming to the feeders for BOSS and really love the PB smears that I do on the tree trunks, but since I changed types of suet, they don't eat it anymore. I try to feed them outside of the fenced yard. They seem to love corn... The coyote's don't bother my feeders, but we have to be quick to get the paper before they do. We found an enormous mess of papers and shredded bags outside of a den last year. |
sacarvounis
Mashpee, MA
December 09, 2008
01:53 PM Post #5874784
| I must have picky squirrels! They are far more focused on getting the seeds out of the hanging feeders or rummaging around underneath them for discarded seeds. We don't put corn out because of the flocks of crows that would ensue...maybe that's why we don't have much of a squirrel problem. |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
December 09, 2008
04:40 PM Post #5875356
| Saw a batch of 'squirrel feed' at a grocery store. NO WAY! We have plenty of acorns from the oaks. We do get little hickory trees in the lawn which they plant from the neighbor's tree. When tree work was done in late summer, the entry to under the eaves of the garage was closed off. Why is it than when we wish to use our front door the cardinals are near the feeder? Don't wish to spook them, but we do need to use the door. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 10, 2008
08:28 PM Post #5879439
| We had a bad freeze 2 years ago and it killed the red oak acorn crop that was supposed to be here this year. I would put corn out for them anyway, it keeps them out of my bird feeders.
NanB |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
December 11, 2008
12:22 AM Post #5880247
| Very good acorn yr here this season--if snow cover comes the deer start chomping on something else, the turkeys are still around & they like acorns. |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
December 13, 2008
03:32 PM Post #5888227
|
Interesting ideas on this thread!
I am wondering about the 'economics' of the custom/home made seed mixes. Do you find that you can beat the costs of ready made mixes by buying the individual components?
We generally don't use mixes~~we do hang a few large Birdola Woodpecker Seed Blocks which the Pileateds, Red-bellieds and other WPs like a lot.
Otherwise we fill the different feeders with exclusively one kind of seed in each~~safflower (especially when the squirrels get agressive, they don't seem to like saff. seed as much as BOSS, but our Cardinals LUV saff.), Sunflower seed kernals/hearts around the deck (I think these are less messy), thistle in the finch feeder, and whole peanuts in a tube feeder for titmice and bluejays and some energetic woodpeckers.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
December 13, 2008
05:03 PM Post #5888411
| Hi tab, How are you?
In my case I like to use this new mix because it contains things I've never found in any other mix (whole macadamians,brazil nuts etc.) It is about the same price as buying sunflower kernels of the same size bag (at a bird store) but I do like to stretch it by adding peanut halves. The Red-bellieds go crazy for it.
All my other feeders contain sunflower kernels only except for a peanut silo which contains peanut halves and of course nyjer feeders.
I've stopped using the seed cakes because when it rains they get ruined. We just had 2 straight days of heavy rains here. I have been thinking of getting some safflower but the Cardinals and Finch seem happy enough with the sunflower kernels. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 13, 2008
07:47 PM Post #5888880
| I just cooked off 5 pounds of bacon and wondered if I could hurt them with the nitrates/nitrites if I put out pans of the fat for them. What say y'all? Should I put it out or into the trash?
TIA,
Nan |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
December 13, 2008
08:11 PM Post #5888974
| I have heard of people using bacon fat but I'm not sure about the nitrates. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 13, 2008
08:12 PM Post #5888977
| Yeah, it's barely OK for us to eat it, I just don't know about them... |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
December 13, 2008
08:13 PM Post #5888985
| I guess better to be on the safe side then. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
December 13, 2008
09:39 PM Post #5889192
| I have been putting the mixed trees nuts in with the peanuts on the platform feeder and the birds love them!! The Jays, Red-bellied's and even a couple of the crows land on there sometimes and get some! |
ClanCampbell
(Chris) Burlington, IA
(Zone 6a)
December 13, 2008
11:54 PM Post #5889561
| Interesting thread here.. for storing my seed, my DH took a small refrig that had quit working and bored small "breathing" holes through the metal. That's where everything is now stored including seed, suet and extra feeders. For the different types of seed, I keep them in gallon milk jugs. Makes it easy to refill everything when all I have to do is grab a jug of BOSS or seed and fill the feeder :) I also "grow" my own mealworms, which is so easy that it's unbelieveable..my only problem is that I hate touching the things ROFL!! For the longest time, I wore plastic gloves while doing my harvesting. Now I don't worry about it but DH still chuckles as he watches me making faces while I pick the darn worms up :) But it's worth it for the Eastern Bluebirds who now nest a few feet from our patio!
We've hardly ever had squirrels but since losing our Blackjack tree from the ice storm last year, they've discovered my woodpecker blocks and I had two of them hanging upside down off the blocks trying to get to the seed just this morning! Hilarious sight- and a crow sitting on the fence loudly proclaiming his disapproval cause HE wanted to get into the seed too!
Chris |
sacarvounis
Mashpee, MA
December 14, 2008
11:49 AM Post #5890533
| Tabasco,
About the economics of blending ones own mixes: I mix my own because I find that most of the birds that I feed will systematically go through the feeders tossing out the millet, milo and safflower to get to the preferred nuts and seeds and so much of the feed would wind up on the ground and spoil. I have ground feeders here but they don't really want that reject feed either. They'll pick at it but I find that it just sits there and spoils. The feeders would go down pretty quickly like this. I find that since I have been buying a better grade of berry & nut blends and supplementing with BOSS and peanut hearts, I probably spend the same amount of money (or maybe just a little more) but feed more birds with less waste. As a bonus, I get more of the birds that I, personally enjoy and don't see as many HOSP and starlings. I don't mind feeding them but if they are here in numbers, nobody else wants to come!
Interesting comments on the bacon grease! My DH was thinking about starting a jar to add to his suet blend. Maybe not... |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 14, 2008
02:51 PM Post #5891028
| re: Bacon grease.
Have we heard a definitive yes/no on this? I've done it in years past when the birds/wildlife were blocked from their food sources by the winter weather, they all seemed to thrive on it. I am just concerned about the longterm effects of the nitrates/nitrites. Are there any?
The FDA lets us eat them in so many of our foods... What about the birds?
Is there an answer out there that has the backup of a real scientific study, or, is it just our "by guess and by golly" that we are going on here...
Thanks,
Nan
|
ClanCampbell
(Chris) Burlington, IA
(Zone 6a)
December 14, 2008
03:05 PM Post #5891062
| This may be weird, but what does generic cat food have in it that makes the birds flock to it? (sorry, couldn't resist the pun!) I have 2 barn cats and during the cold, I put out a bowl of cat food for them each day. I don't know how many times I've come outside to find sparrows sitting in the bowl, happily munching away! And it's not cause my feeders are empty..I've checked that. I suppose it's the protein in it and it hasn't harmed the silly things or they wouldn't come back, right? Should I change where I put the bowl in order to keep the birds away?
Chris |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 14, 2008
03:57 PM Post #5891236
| I know that cat food is way higher in fat than dog food...Maybe they are lovin' the high fat/high protien diet that you are providing. Sure can get expensive tho', I had to make sure that the crows and jays never again had access to my dog food. |
OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
December 14, 2008
05:22 PM Post #5891463
| I found pelle's "Just Desserts" blend at an old country hardware-type store about 20 miles south! The birds really like it. I like your idea, Chris, about putting the seed in gallon containers. It makes perfect sense! I keep taping up the holes mice chew in the bottom on the birdseed bags.
I think I'll try supplementing with sunflower seed halves and peanuts. I'm feeding squirrels, too, by default. If I don't put some in a bowl on the ground, they climb the feeder. Also, our oaks didn't produce acorns this year, and the squirrels are having a difficult time already this winter.
|
Grandmaggie
Beachwood, NJ
(Zone 6b)
December 14, 2008
07:01 PM Post #5891708
| Check this out OPbirder:
http://www.cnn.com/TECH/
|
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
December 14, 2008
07:27 PM Post #5891781
| RE: Bacon Grease.
Since Sialis says you can use bacon grease, I would assume it is okay…
http://www.sialis.org/suet.htm
Edited to say that I think if you aren 't using low sodium bacon, you might want to not use straight bacon grease.
This message was edited Dec 14, 2008 5:29 PM |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
December 14, 2008
08:59 PM Post #5892104
| No shortage of acorns here, in fact a bumper crop which so far has kept the deer damage down. If we get deep snow that last remark may change. |
f_chisolm
Richland, MS
(Zone 8b)
December 14, 2008
09:04 PM Post #5892122
| No shortage of acorns here either. I hear them falling all the time. I wake up in the night yelling, "INCOMING!" |
sacarvounis
Mashpee, MA
December 14, 2008
09:07 PM Post #5892133
| We have tons of acorns too which I can't figure out. We had the 17 year cicada this year and the oak trees were hammered pretty hard by the females. I would think that we would have had LESS acorns. Weird. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 14, 2008
10:47 PM Post #5892491
| Thanks for the sialis link Mrs Ed. We are having a 40 degree drop in temperature today so I went ahead and put a bowl out for them in a tray feeder and poured some next to the suet. 45 mph winds and the goldfinches are still holding fast to the feeders... |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
December 14, 2008
10:52 PM Post #5892513
| June, be sure to check the sticky at the top of the birdwatching forum. you'll find that sialis link there, along with other suet recipes and all kinds of resources.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/805666/ |
beclu727
Dacula, GA
(Zone 7b)
December 15, 2008
09:30 AM Post #5893344
| We have more acorns here this year than I've seen in the past 8 years we've lived here. I would love to box up some to send to those poor acornless people in the article. The squirrels here don't seem to care that there are tons of acorns, they prefer BOSS in the feeders. Oh well... |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 15, 2008
05:35 PM Post #5894881
| Oh DUH! I forgot about that! Thanks so much. |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
December 15, 2008
06:08 PM Post #5894988
|
Hi! to you, too, Pelle, and Thanks, Birdsters, for your comments on the economics of the bird seed blends.
If the macadamia, brazil nuts and other exotics will bring in some additional birds that peanuts won't attract, I'm game to try the fancy blend, too.
Yes, I too stopped using the blends with millet and other cheap stuff in it to try to reduce waste under the feeders. It's worked somewhat, I think.
We are trying to build up our Bird Feeding operation at our house in anticipation of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count coming up (here Dec. 27). Last year our cincinnati area broke all kinds of records because we had so many new 'Feeder Watchers' counting the woodpeckers! Hope to do the same this year! If you have time/inclination, the Audubon bird counts at Christmas are fun and for us a neat family tradition.
Happy birding to all. t.
|
ClanCampbell
(Chris) Burlington, IA
(Zone 6a)
December 15, 2008
08:33 PM Post #5895535
| Any one want to send me some of their acorns???? LOL... these squirrels insist that they're hungry!
Chris |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
December 15, 2008
08:36 PM Post #5895548
| I wish I could afford the waste free mix! I am getting a little tired of the mess. I cleaned up a bit last week under the feeders already. |
evie_beevie
Essex Junction, VT
(Zone 4a)
December 15, 2008
09:06 PM Post #5895664
| nanny - I don't do mixes anymore, but get 50lb bags of sunflower chips at the local feed store (or agway). They'll put it in my trunk for me, and my husband gets it out :) Maybe check out much more it is than the shelled seeds next time you buy? I find it is worth it given how much my birds eat, and it is cheaper to get a 50lb bag. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
December 15, 2008
09:29 PM Post #5895805
| Will check around...might be worth it. Now I know you are in Vermont but how much does that run you for 50lbs.? |
evie_beevie
Essex Junction, VT
(Zone 4a)
December 15, 2008
09:33 PM Post #5895817
| I can't remember, I think 60 or 65? I think it was 25+ for a 20lb bag? geez, I should pay more attention next time! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
December 18, 2008
05:08 PM Post #5905527
| I just bought my first 50 lb bag of peanut halves at the bird store. It must be
made by the same company as the Just Desserts mix because when I opened the bag there were cashews and almonds in the top. This size will save me a few trips.
I'm so surprised how many birds are eating them. |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
December 18, 2008
05:13 PM Post #5905550
| wow, 50 pounds. nice. I don't have the halves here. They are whole nuts, although some are broken obviously.
they are indeed well-loved.
|
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
December 18, 2008
07:22 PM Post #5906011
| WBU has that size but it is a bit expensive...for me anyways! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
December 18, 2008
10:47 PM Post #5906777
| It is expensive to put out that much at once but it's the least expensive way to buy it.
I'll be saving on gas too. |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
December 18, 2008
11:59 PM Post #5907011
| I usually get my peanuts at WBU also. The 20 pound bag size. I try and get one or two bags during the October sale and then during their February sale, but might have to get some in between those months. When I checked the regular price of it on their Oct. sale flyer, it was $35 or $35 and some change. Wow! All bird food, esp. the seeds have really gone sky high!
If I can't get over to the local WBU, because of distance and/or weather, then I'll get the peanuts at Petsmart, but then comparing pound/price, it's more per pound there I find. I really prefer the WBU peanuts, anyway. |
yippee1999
(Zone 6b)
December 19, 2008
02:47 PM Post #5908716
| I had no idea...the birds that the OP listed like things like brazil nuts, pecans etc?! I'd never heard of those being used as wild bird food. Must be pricey though no?
One thing that I do in my yard is...I offer the birds dried corncobs (with most of the kernals still intact). I stick a vertical post through the center of the cob to hold it upright. As the individual kernals start to become eaten (and the cob subsequently more bare), I'll remove the cob from the post, and stick the bare end of it into a jar of peanut butter and sorta rub it around. Once it's covered with a layer of peanut butter, I then hold the cob over one of my platform feeders (to catch falling seed), and with the other hand I pour some millet seeds onto the cob so that it sticks to the peanut butter. I then replace the now peanut/millet covered cob back onto its vertical post! :-)
|
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
December 19, 2008
03:15 PM Post #5908809
| hey, that's a good idea, Yippee! I have a couple of corn cob holders, I'm going to try that. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
December 19, 2008
03:32 PM Post #5908902
| ooo, me to!! The jays will not leave the cobs on my holders but will try!
A very nice elderly gentleman neighbor who loved birds made my cob holders for me this past spring. He lost is wife to colon cancer in August. He tried but found it to hard to go on without his "honey". So last weekend he decided to join her. It broke my heart to lose such a sweet friend and fellow bird lover. |
ClanCampbell
(Chris) Burlington, IA
(Zone 6a)
December 20, 2008
08:40 PM Post #5913292
| Oh, Nanny... that is so sad.. my heart goes out to you. Always sad to lose someone who's made their way into your heart! |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
December 20, 2008
08:56 PM Post #5913342
| Thank you...didn't mean to be a downer. He was such a sweet soul. I am glad he is at peace now. The Blue Birds were his favorites. He has a couple of nest boxes up and they do nest there. I just hope when the family sells his house the new owners will leave up the boxes.
He was tickled pink when he found me one morning in spring 2007 putting out my feeders. :) |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
December 26, 2008
04:03 AM Post #5928756
|
Nanny, I hope the blue birds stay around your neighborhood.
We buy our seed in 25 or 50 lbs bags, too. We buy them at the old fashioned seed & feed store (a real hole in the wall outfit in Milford) after we comparison shopped a lot of places. The other place we found with decent pricing and fairly good selection (peanuts, sf hearts, safflower, thistle) was "Tractor Supply". I don't know if TS is in a lot of areas, though. Of course, they don't sell Cashews and Brazil Nuts, but our birds are country birds, not fancy city birds!
WBU is like the Sak's Fifth Avenue of bird seed stores! (-: Your birds are quite indulged, if I do say so myself!
Wish we could do corn, but it draws in too many starlings here, and we don't want those around. And the squirrels, which are only OK in limited numbers and would over run the place if we encouraged them in the slightest.
We got 2 new bird feeders for Xmas. One of them is really a fancy one and we will have to find a very nice tree limb to hang it.
Holiday wishes to everyone! t.
|
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
December 29, 2008
02:16 PM Post #5940106
| Our squirrels would finish that corn cob and peanut butter off before the birds even had a chance, lol |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
December 29, 2008
03:04 PM Post #5940276
| Ah, mine too, Jen, but i put mine on a shepherd hook that is baffled!!! |
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
December 29, 2008
04:01 PM Post #5940483
| I waiting on hubby to make me some baffles. |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
December 29, 2008
07:50 PM Post #5941219
| why the wait… is he… baffled?
hahaha. couldn't resist. |
evie_beevie
Essex Junction, VT
(Zone 4a)
December 30, 2008
10:40 AM Post #5943266
| By the way, I got some "Just Desserts" (on sale) and the Chickadees/Titmice are really liking it. No one is eating the millet though (I think that's what it is). |
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
December 30, 2008
03:53 PM Post #5944349
| lol, Mrs Ed |
pennefeather
McLean, VA
(Zone 6b)
January 07, 2009
12:06 AM Post #5975991
| I'm thinking of switching from the black sunflower seeds in shells to the sunflower chips so that I don't have to worry about the shells falling all over. I have two concerns: Do the chips mold quickly? Right now that feeders only stay full two or three days. Also, will it change the mix of birds that I get? I'm currently seeing lots of cardinals, and the little guys that eat thistle, as well as way too many squirrels. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
January 07, 2009
08:32 AM Post #5976421
| Hi penne, I switched a while ago and the same birds are here. If it only last 2 or 3 days then there should not be a problem with mold as long as your cleaning the feeders regularly. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
January 07, 2009
09:31 AM Post #5976545
| I have space in a freezer that I keep my seed in. Always fresh that way. |
OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
January 09, 2009
08:06 PM Post #5986658
| I never thought of putting the seed in the freezer. Great tip. Thanks Juney! The titmice and chickadees are nuts over the Just Desserts! I lean on the kitchen sink and watch them come to the window feeder and pick out the choicest nuts. They don't eat much of the other ingredients Evie. |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 12, 2009
04:47 PM Post #5997316
|
penne, We don't refrigerate our sunflower hearts, but we do keep them in small galvanized cans in the unheated cold garage.
The SF hearts don't stay in our feeders long enough to get any mould. Most all the birds in our yard really go for the hearts/chips and they disappear rather quickly.
I can't think of a bird that likes the black oil that has rejected the hearts, but there may be a few. Mostly they think it's heaven since they don't even have to break open the shell!
We put out our spent Christmas tree by the bird feeders this week for extra 'cover' for them. (We are really seeing a drop in our bird population since many of our shrubs and trees succumbed to the drought conditions of the past 2 years so we use whatever we can to keep the birds we do have happy.)
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
January 12, 2009
05:10 PM Post #5997440
| I don't refrigerate any of mine either. In the winter you don't need to and in the summer I buy smaller quantities.
One year I bought too much and it went bad (summertime) so I'll never do that again. They don't eat as much in the summer anyway. The suet (no melt) goes good since there are lots of little beaks to feed. :-) |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
January 12, 2009
05:21 PM Post #5997504
| I keep mine in the bottom of the freezer because I have the space for it and no varmits will get to them. I've had a bad problem with the sunflower seeds getting some bug inside the shell and eating them leaving an empty shell with a tiny hole in it. This solves that problem nicely. |
pennefeather
McLean, VA
(Zone 6b)
January 12, 2009
10:20 PM Post #5998956
| I have a metal can in the garage that I use. I made the switch Sunday, but I haven't seen any takers yet. Of course during the week, most of the action is while I am at work.
I also adjusted my squirrel buster plus again to the lowest level of resistance (or is it the highest?), to dissuade the squirrels. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
January 13, 2009
11:05 AM Post #6000283
| I used to use a big metal trash can in the garage. I always put clips on the different bags in it and the lid seemed to seal well so I don't think they were getting INTO the bags, I think the bugs come with the bag. Freezing the bags seems to work for me. |
evie_beevie
Essex Junction, VT
(Zone 4a)
January 13, 2009
06:22 PM Post #6001961
| ah, yes, bugs in the bag. I never had a problem until just recently, and since I keep the bags in my pantry, we get the moths in the house. Which is great fun for the cat. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
January 13, 2009
06:26 PM Post #6001973
| LOL evie! |
luvsgrtdanes
(Ronnie)Philadelphia, PA
(Zone 6b)
January 13, 2009
08:20 PM Post #6002440
| We came home from a weekend trip a few years back and all over the ceiling were little wormy like things...moth larvae from the seed...ewww... it now stays on the porch in a metal can!! I don't buy from that source either anymore! LOL |
pennefeather
McLean, VA
(Zone 6b)
January 13, 2009
09:16 PM Post #6002655
| I had the same problem with moths a few years ago. They ended up getting into everything - flour, cereal, oatmeal. Totally gross! |
beclu727
Dacula, GA
(Zone 7b)
January 14, 2009
09:58 AM Post #6004063
| We've had an infestation of pantry moths several times over the years. They came in the parakeet food and the guinea pig food. I freeze that food now to kill the moths.
Last summer, I had some BOSS i forgot about in a rubbermaid trash can in the garage. When I opened it in the fall to get it ready for new seed... AAARRRRGGGHHHH! It was full of moths, worms, webs. Those things are pretty tightly closed, so I think the moth eggs were in the seed. Decided to toss the whole thing. While it was sitting outside waiting for trash day, squirrels ate thru the plastic lid and got inside. I don't know if they ate the infested seed (what little was left) or not. They sure looked fat and sassy. So I put dumped the seed out onto the ground (far away from the house) and trashed the seed bag wrapped in 2 plastic garbage bags. Left the can on its side until most of the moths and worms were gone. Then I disinfected it and I'm using it for potting soil now. Covered the holes with duct tape. Replaced the rubbermaid can with a galvanized one. Looking back, it is funny now, but it sure wasn't at the time... |
evie_beevie
Essex Junction, VT
(Zone 4a)
January 14, 2009
05:02 PM Post #6005712
| I'm afraid to leave seed on the porch, even in a metal can. we're right next to the woods, so who knows who would come by, and what they'd do to get inside. and would it freeze shut being exposed to snow/ice? questions, questions.
oh, and nothing personal, but I'm SO glad we're not the only ones who had those larvae crawling on the ceiling! It took forever for us to figure out where they were coming from. ew is right! |
OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
January 14, 2009
09:40 PM Post #6006790
| I always get those moths in the summer. They make my skin crawl.
I just bought a Scotts brand nut treat intended for woodpeckers. It's a huge block that you put in a very large suet-type wire holder. I have seen titmice enjoying it, and a squirrel. I was hoping for a piliated! |
Grandmaggie
Beachwood, NJ
(Zone 6b)
January 25, 2009
01:01 PM Post #6049112
| Saw this for the first time today in the Walmart. I always got the "Nut and Berry" blend, but this one looks better!
Sunflower, peanuts,safflower, raisins hulled pumpkin seed pistachios almonds pecans walnuts dried cherries. $9.24 for 7 pounds. I will mix it will Boss to make it last longer.. GM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
January 25, 2009
03:45 PM Post #6049750
| Ooo that looks nice! I make my bi-monthly trip to walmart tomorrow. Hope mine has it. I will look at Pet Supplies Plus too. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
January 25, 2009
04:22 PM Post #6049870
| Our WalMart has been selling a lot of Kaytee products! |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
January 25, 2009
05:24 PM Post #6050102
| I just got back from Wal-Mart but they didn't have it yet. They did have 5 pound bags of Kaytee peanuts so I bought that as well as 4 other bags of "specialty" foods for the birds! |
kathy65468
Eunice, MO
(Zone 5b)
February 01, 2009
04:55 PM Post #6079791
| Freezing does not kill the moth eggs it just prevents them from hatching. They won't hatch until the weather is warm enough so if they are in the freezer you are fooling them into thinking it is not warm weather. By the same token when you bring the seed into the house you are fooling them into thinking it is warm weather so they hatch. |
Resin
Northumberland
United Kingdom
(Zone 9a)
February 01, 2009
07:40 PM Post #6080442
| But if you freeze, then warm so they hatch, and then freeze again a couple of weeks later, that will kill the moth larvae.
Resin
|
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
February 01, 2009
09:08 PM Post #6080801
| Hmmmm! (Moth murder on my mind) |
f_chisolm
Richland, MS
(Zone 8b)
February 01, 2009
10:02 PM Post #6081039
| We don't have that Kaytee mix of seed at my walmart and I did not see it on our new modular sheets. We do have the peanut bag but it is not selling well. The best sellers at walmart are still the BOSS and the generic wild bird seed with all the filler. We are selling a good bit of thistle right now with all the finches that are visiting for the winter. There are a number of new feeders and some of the older ones have been redesigned. There are also some different and lovely concrete bird baths. One new bath to match the patio sets. We have sold out of the martin houses and the bluebird houses are beginning to sell. I really enjoy keeping the section stocked as I am the only associate there who has a little knowledge of wild birds. It is nice to talk to the customers about what is coming to their feeders. |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
February 01, 2009
10:04 PM Post #6081052
| Frank, I bet you are building a good following! "Just go ask for Frank…"
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
February 01, 2009
10:17 PM Post #6081095
| I think ours carry the Kaytee peanuts, 2 types of finch mix, nut n' berry and a cardinal mix.
There might be other items by Kaytee but those are the ones I remember. :-)
Hi Frank! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
February 01, 2009
10:21 PM Post #6081109
| I also meant to say I haven't had much luck on getting many of the birds to eat the bag of safflower I got from WBU. I was surprised the Cardinals weren't interested in it. They seem to like the sunflower kernels and peanuts in and out of the shell better.
Once in a while I'll see a House Finch take a seed but most of it has wound up on the ground. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
February 01, 2009
11:27 PM Post #6081301
| My Wal-mart doesn't have any of the Kaytee products. I will check the petsupplies -plus. I didn't have time last week. Am tired of the huge mess from the BOSS, but I can't affor the hearts or chips in large quantity. May have to switch to another type of seed. I am getting fussy I guess. |
f_chisolm
Richland, MS
(Zone 8b)
February 02, 2009
11:11 PM Post #6085905
| Pelle I tried the safflower in one feeder back last spring and the house finch were the only ones that would eat it. But the squirrels stopped bothering that feeder. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
February 03, 2009
09:21 AM Post #6086841
| That is weird...I have several birds that eat the safflower seed. Cardinals, Doves, House Finch, even the Chickadee and Nuthatch will eat some. The Grosbeaks loved it last spring and I have seen the Fox Sparrow eating it off the ground. That is the only feeder I can leave up in the tree at night. No other critters bother it. |
wbbirdwoman
Woodbridge, VA
February 03, 2009
09:47 AM Post #6086897
| We use Garden Treasures black oil sunflower seed and Garden Treasures safflower seed. I really like the safflower seed because the squirrels won't have anything to do with it. So, I put their sunflower seed in a smaller feeding tray off to the side of the deck, and use safflower seed and suet for the birds. Unfortunately, my "uphill" neighbor has been feeding corn to the squirrels, so we now have a flock of crows hanging around. YIKES! Sometimes I think that our heated water dish is a bigger drawing card than the seed. |
wbbirdwoman
Woodbridge, VA
February 03, 2009
09:56 AM Post #6086941
| Ooooops! Sorry, fellow birders, I should have said "murder of crows." Have a great day, everyone! |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
February 03, 2009
10:49 AM Post #6087138
| ??????? |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
February 03, 2009
02:06 PM Post #6088053
| That is what a big family group of crows is called. Ain't english grand... |
wbbirdwoman
Woodbridge, VA
February 03, 2009
02:12 PM Post #6088099
| Thanks for explaining that to nanny_56 for me, JuneyBug. Believe me, crows are "murder" to have around. One afternoon they actually descended on our suet rack and feeders. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
February 03, 2009
04:32 PM Post #6088727
| I only have 3 and I make sure that I have corn in "their" feeding area. The sure tear through the birdseed if I don't. |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
February 06, 2009
11:18 PM Post #6104469
| Oh, dear, pelle. How can it be that the cardinals don't like your safflower seed??? Ours go crazy for it and I have to say it was a glorious site this week to see 40 cardinals in the snow covered yard patiently waiting on limbs for their turn at the saff feeders. Some of our other birds will eat it too, although most of them will eat the sunflower hearts if given a choice between the two. And most times I do have some BO out too.
I think I read somewhere that saff should first be offered in a 50-50 mix with the black oil and then the proportion of saff increased every time you refill, that way the birds get used to it.
Our squirrels are going to eat me into bankruptcy. I can't believe how brazen they have become and I have become very judicious and sneaky about how much seed I put out at a time.
And it would make me crazy if my neighbor put out corn to draw into the yard every squirrel starling and crow in the county! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
February 07, 2009
02:55 AM Post #6104893
| Hi tab,I'm not sure why they snubbed it. I was surprised and I'm glad I only bought a small bag of it.
I guess 4 types of seed is enough to put out. :-) |
ClanCampbell
(Chris) Burlington, IA
(Zone 6a)
February 07, 2009
05:46 PM Post #6107218
| Although my cardinals don't like the saff, just about all the other birds do, even the sparrows have started going to it :( I keep a separate feeder of it for the Goldfinches as they are skittish around the other birds.
I have a Mockingbird that has started coming to my suet feeders..I love that! We've lived here almost 6 years and this winter was the first time I've ever seen one come to any feeder. |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
February 07, 2009
06:34 PM Post #6107351
| I have made a vow to not feed Black Oil Sunflower Seeds in the enclosed area of the yard and patio. The snow and ice has melted and I can't believe what a mess I still have out there. I am now feeding niger, sunflower hearts, nuts and other various mixes that don't have shells. The Boss has been moved to the dead tree. The birds don't seem to mind so it is a win win situation! |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
February 07, 2009
09:27 PM Post #6107969
| Congrats Clan!
Good deal Rose. I am fortunate that where I feed is not grass or patio at all. It's a mulched area (mostly leaves and grass clippings). So in the spring I just run the mini-tiller through the area. HOWEVER, the sparrows are hanging out on the covered patio. They take seed over there and sit and eat and eat. It's a mess. I can't wait to get the power washer out soon! |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
February 07, 2009
09:54 PM Post #6108042
| I am so with you Rose...I have such a mess!! I cleaned up quite a bit yesterday, but today all the snow melted and YUCK!!!!!! The ground is so saturated today though that it made it impossible to clean anymore up.
The BOSS will be restricted to the platform feeder and the squirrel dishes. Bought some different seed mixes today to switch them over. Will get a couple more things monday at the bird store.
|
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
February 09, 2009
09:52 AM Post #6114144
| Yes, the snow has melted here and I have quite an ugly site on my hands, too! It was 60 degrees yesterday so we went out with the hose and tried to do some mitigation but I am having nightmares of all kinds of safflowers and sunflowers growing in my yard next summer! And maybe peanut trees. Or are they bushes? Plants, maybe? LOL
Oh, well.
I am doing another comparison survey of purchased wood pecker suet blocks versus my homemade peanut butter 'dough' and my dough is winning by a landslide. So far today the squirrels haven't found (that may last until noon!) but the red-bellieds, downies, and hairies are going ga-ga this a.m..
I bought a big 20 lb. sack of seed labelled "Golden Hearts" in big print (and I didn't have my glasses to read the small print) and couldn't believe sunflower hearts were such a 'buy' so I grabbed it. Then got it home and opened it and it was a bag of cracked corn and millet and maybe a few bits of sunflower hearts. I was so mad at myself! Now I don't know what to do with it. Although I put a bit out for my towhees and they seemed to love it. |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
February 09, 2009
10:48 AM Post #6114413
| Well there you have it, save it for the towhees.
OR, you could take it to a local wildlife area and dump it for those birds and squirrels.
I expect a lot of corn this year, as I've fed the squirrels for the first time.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
February 09, 2009
11:16 AM Post #6114539
| I bought my first "big bag" of sunflower hearts to feed around the patio/enclosed yard area. It made me feel very extravagant but it will be less I have to clean up later. Last year I fed Boss along our chicken house and the sunflowers came up with the Tiger Lilies and was just beautiful!! This year I had some wild plant come up along our chain link fence and I think it is milo...anyway the Bluebirds are now spending lots of time eating the seeds so I hope more of it comes up again this year. I will also let some of the sunflowers come up under the dead tree. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
February 09, 2009
05:21 PM Post #6116202
| I bought some of that same stuff once Tab...I think they call it that for a reason!! I bought 1 bag of Morning Song Nut & Berry and a bag of Kaytee's Premium and mixed them together they have some Boss in them but mixed with other seeds and peanut pieces. That is going in the tray's and the caged feeder for now. I took the mini Squirrel Buster back to today...just didn't work for me.
WBU has their seed on sale, so bought a #20 bag of safflower and will get another next pay day. Along with their #20 Boss and #10 Peanuts. I had a 25% off coupon so it all cost me about $38! |
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
February 18, 2009
01:34 PM Post #6156152
| I got a mesh bag with thistle and exchanged it for my regular thistle feeder since then have not seen any birds on it. Should I put the regular one back out also? |
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
February 18, 2009
03:04 PM Post #6156523
| Too funny, I just asked the question and they are now using the mesh bag without me having to change a thing.lol |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
February 18, 2009
03:26 PM Post #6156624
| Then LOVE my sock. IN fact, I'm letting it run out so they'll use the new screen feeder instead! |
f_chisolm
Richland, MS
(Zone 8b)
February 19, 2009
01:23 AM Post #6159161
| they love my socks too. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
f_chisolm
Richland, MS
(Zone 8b)
February 19, 2009
01:27 AM Post #6159166
| AT LAST!!!! After keeping suet out for over two years something decided to start eating it. A Pine Warbler. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
February 19, 2009
08:02 AM Post #6159627
| Yay Frank!!!
Finches love the sock here...my problem is that with the abundance of natural food around where I live, the finches don't come to the yard to feed as much during the summer. But during the winter, we are overrun with them! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
February 19, 2009
08:32 AM Post #6159690
| Love the Pine Warbler. |
Grandmaggie
Beachwood, NJ
(Zone 6b)
April 22, 2009
06:38 PM Post #6449251
| Look what my boss and his wife gave me today! I have never tried these store bought suet snacks, but I am sure the birds will heart them! (Secretary Day) GM- AND a gift card, too! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 22, 2009
07:05 PM Post #6449329
| Oh that was really nice of them GM! |
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
April 22, 2009
07:21 PM Post #6449410
| That was sweet. |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
April 22, 2009
07:24 PM Post #6449417
| We only use BOSS--all the birds like it & unfortunately the squirrels do also. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
April 22, 2009
07:27 PM Post #6449430
| Let us know if they like the suet snacks...That was really nice of them! |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
April 22, 2009
07:51 PM Post #6449548
| I put cracked corn out for the squirrels and they love it enough to leave my birdfeeders alone most of the time. I buy it at a feed store. |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
April 22, 2009
09:26 PM Post #6450001
| Let the squirrels get their own acorns. Have finally learned to jump from tree trunk to the feeder--very annoying. |
pennefeather
McLean, VA
(Zone 6b)
April 28, 2009
10:33 PM Post #6477852
| Grrrr...squirrels! |
