Birdfeed Thread

Ask and answer questions about feed here.

This is a woodpecker mix, but I haven't found it to be any more attractive than suet or peanuts.

I don't have a picture of it, But I bought some WBU finch mix. It was nyjer and sunflower hearts. My finches actually preferred the straight thistle.

I have found the same to be true with the nyjer mix. Just add extra nyjer to it and they'll finish it up.

I can't see the woodpecker mix well enough to see what's in it but I always liked just sunflower hearts with peanuts. Only problem is that it's expensive. :-(

I buy my bird food from the Bird Store but for those who buy at WalMart; have you noticed they have changed their whole line of bird products to Pennington??

I did not like the bird houses at all.

Well in my case, the squirrel got to that feeder and dumped it, so that pretty much took care of the seed. LOL.

Sorry that picture was so small, that's one I used for the DG article and can't find an original.

That is why I am hesitant to put a suet feeder on the tree, right now we don't have hardly any squirrels because we got a different feeder,but I am sure if we put one on the tree, the squirrels will come back in mass.

The squirrels LOVED the home made peanut butter suet, so I don't put that on the tree. I buy the hot pepper suet that is the same price as other "flavors". That stops them. I just put out some Stoke's woodpecker suet. I'll let you know how the squirrels like it. It was on a good sale so I picked some up.

The other thing is that those starlings also REALLY love the home made stuff too. They slowed down on the regular/hot pepper suet. Still at it, but not like the peanut butter home made suet.


Isn't it strange that it's different wherever you are? GrannyGrunt's goldfinch won't eat the nyjer, but eat all the boss. Mine really prefer the nyjer.

The birds have deserted our feeder for some reason. Perhaps the melting snow has uncovered other sources of food.

Teddy if you melt your lard and peanutbutter and add the cayenne powdered pepper in it, the squirrel will leave it alone. You can also add seeds to the fat, with cornmeal and or oatmeal.That's what I do and don't have squirrel eating it.

Thanks for the advice burn, I'll try it and let you lnow how it works out.

Good lucks teddy, do post and let us know how it works out for you. I'm bying wildbirds seeds with peanut in the mix. The peanuts are the most favorite things for nuthatches, Timice, and Woodpecker of various kind.

I make my own seed mix - black oil sunflower, peanuts, safflower, cracked corn, and chopped raisins. I also have a small bird mixture which includes finch food (millet etc.), hulled sunflower, and nyjer seed. I also make my own suet, which pretty much rocks the bird kingdom. Partakers of the suet include various woodpeckers, Bluebirds, Chipping Sparrows, Carolina Wrens, Mockingbirds, Myrtle Warblers, and believe it or not, Cardinals. I knew when the cardinals started eating the suet that it really must rock.

ooo!!! Recipe please!

gazergirl, that really has to be rocking the bird kingdom! For Warblers and Bluebirds to partake the suet especially. Please share your specific recipe. I ordered mealworms for the first time online. A little more than half portion is used up, still the Bluebirds haven't found the feeder yet.

Like Mrs. Ed said, the Finch will not eat the nyjer. But the Juncos sure love it! Rather than have it spoil, I scatter it on the ground for the Dove and Juncos to eat.

Knock on wood, but the squirrels do not bother my suet. They sure as heck do a job on the BOSS! The woodpeckers, especially the Flickers, really eat a lot of suet.

Would love to see the recipe for your mix gazergirl.

Re. meal worms, I bought some freeze dried worms and they seem to work okay; the Blue birds ignore my area anyhow; snots!! But the Robins, and others love the dried meal worms. I serve them up with a little cooking oil on them.

2 chickadees & a wb Nuthatch around this afternoon. Where have you been guys?

If there aren't larger birds around my finch will eat the sunflower first but they do still eat nyjer.

We feed BOS & have a place for suet blocks. Didn't feed much suet after awhile as DH could not get to the hanger in the snow.

My recipee is from the Sialis website:
1 cup lard
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup sugar
3 cups oatmeal

Melt first 2 ingredients together and then add the rest, oatmeal last. My twist on this recipee is that I leave out 1 cup of oatmeal and substitute sunflower chips and chopped raisins. I suppose someone could go all out and dried mealworms!! But I don't think it is necessary, save your money for something else. :)

Teddy, I found a wonderful baffle that can be used for hanging feeders/suet. It was at my local Wild Bird Center (also online), and is a plexiglass dome with a chain to hang it on. In my yard, it is 100% squirrel effective.

squirrels got angry & chewed around the edge of our baffle. but a little edging doesn't matter.

1 cup lard, 1 cup crunchy peanut butter, 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup sugar, 2 cups oatmeal, 1/2 cup sunflower chips and 1/2 cup of chopped raisins. Got it.

Melt first 2 ingredients together, then the rest, oatmeal last.

gazergirl, many thanks.

Sugar! No kidding. Hmm. interesting.

Surprised too.I will try it with sugar next time.