You just safely painted your bird feeder to freshen up its look and are anxiously waiting for a flock of fly-ins to feast at your hanging outdoor diner. A day goes by, not a single wing. Day five and less than a handful of warblers have come to nosh. By week two, the bird seed in the feeder has barely been touched. Should you save money and leave it or be proactive and change it out? To avoid harming the fine feathered friends you so desperately want to attract to your yard, its best to change food in a dry seed feeder every five to seven days. Doing so will help prevent birds from ingesting moldy or germ-infested grub.
Whether youre filling a tube feeder or hopper design, its common for homeowners to experiment with different varieties of bird food. While cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and millet are three of the most popular types of birdseed, theres no harm in adding thistle seeds and peanuts to the mix in order to attract a diversity of avians. The most convenient method of offering backyard birds such a variegated smorgasbord is to simply purchase pre-mixed blends from pet supply stores. However, dont be confused by the feeds expiration date. Most feature a two-year shelf life, though, for maximum freshness, the range is closer to six to 12 months. It is important to note that this timeframe doesnt apply to food thats already been placed in feeders.
Filling feeders before they run empty gives your birds a consistent supply of food. This implies that birds won’t ever go elsewhere in search of food. It also means that food will almost always be fresh. You can make sure that old seed doesn’t remain in the feeder for too long by waiting until it is almost empty.
The most common way to restock feeders is probably to wait until the seed runs out. This does require monitoring.
If the feeder is smaller and filled just before a storm or during the busy breeding season, it will attract more birds and be accessible to a wider variety of birds. One example of a popular food to fill a smaller feeder would be hulled sunflower chips.
Setting aside a specific day to refill your feeders is a foolproof method to ensure that you never forget to do so. The drawback of this approach is that your feeder may occasionally become empty much more quickly, particularly during nesting and migration. You might need to make adjustments if your large capacity feeder is typically refilled on the first of each month. On the other hand, when birds aren’t around very often, the opposite applies.
Come to Old Ben’s free class, “Making bird feeding simple,” on March 24 at 9 a.m. to learn more about feeding wild birds. Like nature does!.
You’ve recently painted your bird feeder safely to update its appearance, and now you’re just waiting for some birds to come and eat at your hanging outdoor restaurant. A day goes by, not a single wing. On the fifth day, hardly any warblers have arrived to feed. The bird seed in the feeder has hardly been touched by week two. It’s best to change the food in a dry seed feeder every five to seven days to prevent harming the fine feathered friends you so desperately want to attract to your yard. Should you save money and leave it, or be proactive and change it out? By doing this, you can lessen the chance that birds will consume moldy or contaminated grub.
Whether you’re filling a hopper feeder or a tube feeder, homeowners frequently experiment with different kinds of bird food. Although cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and millet are the three most widely used kinds of bird seed, it doesn’t hurt to include thistle seeds and peanuts in the mixture to draw in a variety of birds. The easiest way to provide backyard birds with such a colorful feast is to just buy pre-mixed blends from pet supply stores. However, dont be confused by the feeds expiration date. Most have a two-year shelf life, but the range is closer to six to twelve months for maximum freshness. It’s crucial to remember that food that has already been added to feeders is not covered by this time frame.
Keeping your backyard buffet safe for your feathered friends begins with knowing how to store bird seed. Bulk feed ought to be stored in a cool, dry location in sealed, rodent- and insect-proof containers. Write the date of purchase for the seeds on the canisters’ exterior. Similarly, note the day you filled your bird feeder with the fresh food for the first time. You’ll find it simpler to remember when to replace the seeds as a result.
If you are unable to recall when you last filled your bird feeder, keep an eye out for indications of spoiling. Rancid bird feed will smell musty or sour. Additionally, look for visible mold, live or dead insects, and sprouting seeds. Before adding more fresh feed to the bird feeder, empty the existing food and give it a thorough cleaning using a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach if any of these are evident.
Try to replace the food in your feeder at least once a week; but, if it has been exposed to intense heat or high humidity, you might want to do so more frequently because moisture encourages the growth of mold. In fact, rain and melting snow are just two examples of the types of dampness that can start bacteria. Replace the seed blend in the feeder with a fresh batch if you observe any clumping or if it feels moist. Even though it might seem wasteful, this is a small price to pay to keep birds safe from illness or even death.
FAQ
How long can bird seed stay in feeder?
How often should I change my birds food?
Will birds not eat old bird seed?
How often do you refill bird feeder?