Nyjer Seed vs. Thistle

I am sorry if this isn't the proper forum to ask this question but are Nyjer Seed and Thistle the same thing? I bought some Nyjer Seed today to feed the birds during this cold part of the year. I also purchased some Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. I have mixed them into a tube feeder (1 part Nyjer Seed to 2 parts Black Oil Sunflower Seed), hoping that as soon as the winds die down tomorrow afternoon, wild finches and song sparrows would enjoy them.

If there is another forum that would cover this, please advise me.

Thanks,

Chuck

Your at the right place CBernard!

They are the same seed and both the Black Oil and Thistle should be loved by Finches.

Just watch to see if all the thistle (or nyger) falls to the bottom.


I think most manufacturers refer to it as Nyger but I've seen it the other way too.

This message was edited Dec 31, 2007 8:01 PM

Not sure what kind of ports you tube feeder has but I suspect the thistle will fall out or become trapped in the bottom. Next time your in the local mass market store check to see if they have thistle socks. Normally just a couple bucks.
Thanks for thinking of our winter beautys.
Doug

Thanks for the quick responses. The thistle seed is falling to the bottom and out of the feeder at the bottom port. I am not sure how I am going to handle this.

I went to Petco today and bought two already filled thistle socks. I put one up(although not without spilling a lot of the seed...LOL) and I am going to save the second one to replace the other sock when it is empty. What kind of washing is necessary to keep the socks clean. Do I just pop it in the washing machine or hand wash? Can they go in a laundry dryer? Can I use it more than once before I open it.

Sorry about all the questions but the woman who helped me at Petco knew less about the socks than I did...LOL.

Thanks again,

Chuck

There so small why don't you just hand wash and hang dry.

If they have some stubborn stains you could soak them in cold soapy water before washing.

I have thistle feeders so its been a long time since I've used socks.

Anyone else?

I refill mine 2 or 3 times and just replace them. They get kind of nasty after awhile and are so cheap to replace.

Besides the socks, what thistle feeders do you all have. Do you see finches going to one kind over the other. I've looked at some on the web, mesh type vs ones with perches or spirals. Any preferences?

I really had a problem with the jays hammering holes in the socks so switched to the mesh and my finches love it. I have exactly the same mix as you only I keep the thistle in the mesh and the black oil sunflower in a regular little house-type feeder so that the bigger birds can get to it too. Here's my mesh.

I think theres 4 different types of thistle feeders.

The mesh one like above, and Upside Down one like this that only Goldfinch,

Pine Siskens and Chickadees can use.

A Spiral type like this one.

And this type w/ perches. This ones difficult to clean.

All these types have a small slit or portal meant for tiny seeds like nyger.

I use a combo of sock, mesh type and the type with perches. I do refill the sock but when it gets yucky I replace it.
The mesh is hard to clean. I hose it really good and dry in the sun. My perch one the bottom pops off for easy cleaning. GM :)

I use a combo of all the above. Had to stop and think how many feeders we have. 9 thistle socks, 4 tube thistle feeders, 7 suet feeders, 5 BOS tubes and 5 Peanutbutter logs. These are spread all around the place to take advantage of the light both seasonaly and by time of day. My setups are much wilder than most I see here for several reasons. I like to photograph birds on natural perches, most of our yard is Alaska Wild and I really hate yard work and the number one reason is. Im lazy. LOL
Im not crazy about the bright white thistle bags as bought so I make a very strong batch of tea and soak them overnight in that before use. Various creatures will make holes in them overtime. Ours just happen to be squirrels. I do a quick knot over the holes with 20 pound fishing line. I pull the socks down about once a month and hand wash with Dawn soap and a small amount of bleach. I do put them in the dryer becuse I think it tightens the mesh and then the tea soaking again and air dry.
You are correct there is a great deal of spillage with any thistle feeder and thistle being one of the most expensive seed to use it can bring a tear to your eye but on the bright side I get a lot more joy seeing the feathered beautys because of the thistle.
Doug

Thanks for all the info everyone. Pelle and Stella, the pictures really helped. I'm going to the bird store soon to look at the different ones in person. That upside down one is really a hoot.

Becky

For now 4 thistle feeders is enough.

Since the Hawks came back I'm not getting the huge amounts of Goldfinch I normally get and the Pine Sisken haven't been back at all since they saw the Hawks.
The Junco's enjoy the nyger seed along w/ the House Finch and Goldies.

I put up the thistle sock feeder yesterday and today an American Goldfinch (either a male out of breeding condition or a female) poked at it.

This gives me three bird waterers, one bird bath, four hummingbird feeders, a tube feeder and a sock feeder. That is about where it is going to stay for a month or so, although I am really tempted to get one of those mesh feeders and one of the wild bird ground feeders.

Thanks, everybody, I learned a lot about feeders from all of you.

Thanks again,

Chuck