topic Re: Info for wild bird feeders in Garden

Info for wild bird feeders

fthunt — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 01:42:59 GMT

Just learned that Drs. Foster & Smith website is no longer. They sold some time ago to PETCO. I've purchased wild bird seed from them for decades and am (frankly) shocked. I've had to purchase a different brand from Amazon to meet winter needs. Have noticed Drs. fruit & nut selection had fewer fruit pieces and more 'fill' of one seed being left in the bottom of the feeder. I've had a ? about what was going on. Will try this other brand and hope for the best.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

sunshine45 — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 01:51:59 GMT

i purchase mine from a store called WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED.

they have great products for the birds and for bird and nature lovers.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

Sweetbay magnolia — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 02:04:11 GMT

I just received notice of that, @fthunt, via e-mail.

I get my mixed bird feed and suet at a local store (Southern States). Great prices.

I used to get white millet but it's impossible to find this year!

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

phoenixbrd — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 02:07:07 GMT

We are purchasing bird feed from Costco...the birds are thrilled and so is our wallet.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

lovesrecess — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 02:54:54 GMT

I have been buying Wagners four season wild bird food in a 12 lb bucket. The birds love it and I get it at Home Depot. The cost is around $8 so can’t beat it....and it isn’t junk....unfortunately the squirrels also love it...it’s loaded with sunflower seeds.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

Annabellethecat66 — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 03:23:41 GMT

I also go to a Wild Bird Store. They sell everything to do and for wild birds.

They might be a chain. I don't know. I enjoy going there. It's small business owned.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

Krimpette — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 16:02:36 GMT

I purchase mine from a place called Mother Nature's. They used to be a Wild Bird Store, but went independent. Great store. Great selection. Probably not the cheapest place, but I like to support them.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

JustJazzmom — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 04:36:54 GMT

Lyric company makes great seed — thistle or niger seed, peanut pieces, sunflower seeds both shelled or hulled. I get them at a local nursery.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

goldensrbest — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 14:44:37 GMT

Ace hard ware stores, black oil seed is on sale right now.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

Pennytoo — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:49:19 GMT

I only purchase safflower seed and black oiled sunflower seed. I mix 1/4 sunflower seed to 3/4 safflower. The squirrels and starlings don’t like the safflower seed so for the most part they leavemyfeeders alone. The nuthatches, chickadees, cardinals, finches,etc all eat the safflower seed. I get my seed at walmart b/c that is the only place in our town to get seed or gardening supplies and Amazon is more expensive.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

JustJazzmom — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:02:59 GMT

One important thing everyone who has bird feeders is to keep them clean. A dirty bird feeder harbors disease to our feathered friends.

Clean them with mild soap & warm water. Let air dry or use paper towels and then put in the seeds.

I find at my house thistle feeders can get caked niger seed over time due to the rain getting into the holes! I remove the caked seed & do a thorough cleaning about 1 - 2X a season. I keep my feeders up year round.

One thing I have noticed this spring is the absence of common & house finches to the thistle feeder. I wonder if they have died due to disease? Many canary breeders throw their old seed out & wild finches can eat it. This has been a source of disease among the wild finches.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

PA Mom-mom — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 22:23:11 GMT

The Costco and Ace mixes are pretty good, I agree. But we, like @Pennytoo like to mix our own, with black sunflower and safflower - keeping out the corn and nuts. Also, we like to keep out suit cakes as late as possible.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

esmerelda — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 14:36:56 GMT

@fthunt I believe Duncraft is another catalog source for feed and feeders.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

proudlyfromNJ — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 15:09:15 GMT

@fthunt wrote:
Just learned that Drs. Foster & Smith website is no longer. They sold some time ago to PETCO. I've purchased wild bird seed from them for decades and am (frankly) shocked. I've had to purchase a different brand from Amazon to meet winter needs. Have noticed Drs. fruit & nut selection had fewer fruit pieces and more 'fill' of one seed being left in the bottom of the feeder. I've had a ? about what was going on. Will try this other brand and hope for the best.

@fthunt I used to buy Kaytee fruit and nuts in Shop Rite. It had many fruits. I then went on auto delivery with Amazon. Hardly and fruits. I keep meaning to check the bags at Shop Rite to see if they still have the fruit. The birds still eat it though.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

mimomof4 — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 16:38:50 GMT

We purchase our seed from Family Farm. After comparing it to the expensive local Bird Store, we found it to be the same product. Now I just go to that Bird Store for super cute gifts.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

GeorgiaJanet — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 19:55:13 GMT

I can't figure out why the Gold finches are not coming to my Nyjer thistle seed feeder either. I thought maybe my feed was too old so I picked up a fresh bag at my local Wild Birds Unlimited store but I still rarely get them. I used to have them there all the time.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

Bridgegal — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:18:56 GMT

@GeorgiaJanet wrote:
I can't figure out why the Gold finches are not coming to my Nyjer thistle seed feeder either. I thought maybe my feed was too old so I picked up a fresh bag at my local Wild Birds Unlimited store but I still rarely get them. I used to have them there all the time.

DH is the birder in our house and he keeps wondering the same thing. PLenty of house finch but that's not what he is looking for.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

Icegoddess — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:30:00 GMT

I used to get my supplies from Wild Birds Unlimited, but they moved their store to the south end of town which is quite a distance for me. So, now i get what I need at Lowes or Home Depot. I only use Black Oil Sunflower seed in my seed feeders and they also have a variety of suet cakes. I have even found mealworms there in the past. I get a nice selection of birds.

I did notice recently something that said you could sign into Petco using your Drs. Foster & Smith logon information, so figured they had merged or something. I get my litter at Petco because I use the refillable containers, and the canned food. Expensive dry food comes from the vet since one of my cats has to have the urinary formula, and what one eats they all eat.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

Icegoddess — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:32:25 GMT

@Bridgegal wrote:
@GeorgiaJanet wrote:
I can't figure out why the Gold finches are not coming to my Nyjer thistle seed feeder either. I thought maybe my feed was too old so I picked up a fresh bag at my local Wild Birds Unlimited store but I still rarely get them. I used to have them there all the time.
DH is the birder in our house and he keeps wondering the same thing. PLenty of house finch but that's not what he is looking for.

@Bridgegal, @GeorgiaJanet, I never had any luck with the thistle food. I do sometimes get goldfinches and more often the red ones at my Black Oil Sunflower seed feeder. Gave up on the thistle.

Re: Info for wild bird feeders

jannabelle1 — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 01:01:05 GMT

I rely on Duncraft for specialty seeds and new feeders when I need them. Their products are always superb. I've also found that Menard's has a good selection of quality seeds.