How much of bird feed do you go through every winter?

[Larry Caldwell]

We are just having a major warm spell and the number of birds has dropped considerably. It's neat to see in the fields, where they are eating the seeds from the weeds and grasses.

That's a good point. We had a long drought and pickin's in the wild were pretty slim, so we had lots of birds at the feeder. Last winter and summer had plenty of rain, and things were really lush, so there is wild food to carry the birds through. We aren't feeding anywhere near as much this winter. Back around Christmas my whole air force disappeared for days, off checking out the countryside.

 

[RalphVa]

Zero. Don't believe in feeding wild animals.

 

[jimmyj]

Zero. Don't believe in feeding wild animals.

That's OK RalphVa, I bring a pail of seed and spread it at your place every Wednesday!!! Ha ha ha

 

[rekees4300]

I feed with sunflower hearts and chip. Every critter likes it, it leaves zero mess, and although more expensive to buy, it is less expensive cost-wise because all of it by weight is food for the critters.

Thanks for posting about the sunflower hearts. Was not aware of that product. Going to try them, available at TSC. The sunflower hulls do leave a mess that stick to the bottom of your feet and are transferred inside the house.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Thanks for posting about the sunflower hearts. Was not aware of that product. Going to try them, available at TSC. The sunflower hulls do leave a mess that stick to the bottom of your feet and are transferred inside the house.

Unless you have a reasonable fleet or feed store in your area, buying it in 50 pound bulk bags is the best deal even with shipping charges.

 

[nybirdman]

My wife takes care of the bird feeders;I just get to unload the 50#bags about every two weeks.I have about 300 pheasant penned so they go thru about 250# or so a week.I was at 700 earlier in the year.
Pheasant feed is about $540/ton.

 

[oosik]

I've tried feeding but it attracts the chipmunks, squirrels and turkeys. None of which I want in my yard. My intent was to provide feed for the quail - but they are too passive and are easily routed by the "big three".

 

[Wakey]

I wanted to share these simple feeders for those that have problems with squirrels. I remove the hanger chain that comes with the feeder and suspend these with wire that is covered with a green plastic insulation, if you will. I found it at Home Depot or Lowes. The green cover helps the wire blend in and also keeps you from seeing oxidation. The wire is solid, bends like a ground wire would but a bit stiffer.

I have two of these hung outside my screen porch with hooks and one in a Shepherds hook out on the lawn. Honestly I'm surprised I haven't had squirrels get on that one!

The wire comes in handy for hanging these from tree branches. If the ball is too close to a limb or the trunk, squirrels do the leap. I found that you can use a longer wire to suspend the ball from a higher branch in a manner that keeps the ball inaccessible yet reachable to refill from the ground or a couple steps up a stepladder.

Amazon.com : No/No Green Seed Ball Wild Bird Feeder GSB344 : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[CobyRupert]

"How much bird feed do you go through every winter?" - Let's see...we eat a turkey at Thanksgiving, another one at Christmas, and have chicken for dinner a couple times a week, so.......

My scale says too much!

 

[rekees4300]

Unless you have a reasonable fleet or feed store in your area, buying it in 50 pound bulk bags is the best deal even with shipping charges.

Got a 50 pound bag from Amazon ($83 ouch) but the birds do love the sunflower hearts.