Sunflower hearts sticking in feeder (1 Viewer)

[NoSpringChicken]

I used to use No Mess Sunflower Mix and got on well with it, although the birds dropped quite a lot on the ground. I decided to try pure Sunflower Hearts instead to see if there was less mess and wastage with that. So far I have not been getting on too well with it.

In my RSPB tube seed feeder, the seeds often get jammed up and don't flow down easily. The birds eat the bottom bit but then can't reach any more. I bought a mesh type sunflower heart feeder but the birds wouldn't use it and the seed remained in it untouched and spoiled in the rain. I have reverted to the RSPB one but the birds are now hardly touching the seeds. I think that is possibly because a neighbour's house has been sold and much of the local habitat has been cut down and removed.

I am considering reverting to the No Mess Sunflower Mix again unless anybody has got any suggestions for preventing the sunflower hearts from getting jammed up.

Ron

 

[Stephen-Brooks]

Hi Ron,

I am currently feeding pure sunflower hearts and had the same problem as you until I purchased the Chapelwood Sunflower Heart Feeder. I can recommend this feeder as it is super and you can buy the attachment for the bottom of it that catches any sunflower hearts that are dropped by the birds.

Kind Regards

Stephen

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Hi Stephen. Is that the Chapelwood Mesh Sunflower Feeder? That is the one which I bought but after three weeks the birds still wouldn't use it, so I went back to the RSPB tube type and the Chapelwood one is presently hanging, unused, in my shed. I don't think my birds like yellow paint.

Ron

 

[Stephen-Brooks]

lol yes Ron it is the Yellow Mesh one.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Perhaps I will give the mesh one another go, although the weather looks as if it is going to be wet this week, so I will end up with soggy seed.

Ron

 

[Stephen-Brooks]

Yeh give it another go Ron best of luck with it.

BTW any ideas for the actual sunflower seeds ?

Regards

Stephen

 

[NoSpringChicken]

BTW any ideas for the actual sunflower seeds ?

Regards

Stephen

If you mean where do I buy them, I have been using G.J.W Titmuss. Excellent quality seeds at a very good price. Unfortunately, the delivery charge is £7 per order but delivery is quick and it is still a very competive price including this.

http://www.gjwtitmuss.co.uk/sunflower-seed/pid1752/cid594/2236kgs-sunflower-hearts.asp

Ron

 

[Stephen-Brooks]

Sorry Ron, I really did make it out very clear what I was asking.

I was talking about the actual black sun flower seeds ? what sort of feeder is best for them?

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Sorry Stephen, I was being a bit dim. I haven't used the black sunflower seeds myself but I imagine they would work in most tube type feeders as they are slippery and shouldn't jam like the hearts. Perhaps someone else can advise on this.

Ron

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Several months on and I still haven't solved this problem. I persisted with the Chapelwood mesh feeder for a time but the birds never really took to it. The seed remained in the feeder for so long that it started to go off in the wet weather. I therefore reverted to my RSPB Premium ported feeder and have now got the problem of the seed sticking once more. I shake the feeder before going to work in the morning but when I return in the evening there are usually voids in the seed at the bottom where the birds can no longer reach it.

Somebody I know uses a Droll Yankee feeder which looks similar to the RSPB one superficially. I think there must be a difference in the baffle design though as she doesn't have problems with the seed getting clogged up. I suppose I will have to buy one of those now, which is a pity as I am getting quite a collection of unused feeders in my shed. Does anyone have any experience of other designs which work with sunflower hearts?

Ron

 

[Mary]

I use both sizes of the seed fort feeder (bottom row), Ron. http://www.gardmanwildbirdcare.co.uk/products/feeders?page=5
They last a few days between fills and are easy to clean. Most of the time the seed drops ok, until they are down to the last couple of centimetres; then they 'stick' as you described. Most birds are happy using them, even the Blackcap, but I doubt Bullfinches would.

 

[gw4aurora]

I always use sunflower heart chips and never have a problem.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I have just purchased yet another new feeder to try to get over the problem. I discovered that Gardman now sell a 'Large Flip Top Sunflower Heart Feeder' and I bought one from my local B&Q last night for just under £5.

The construction is very plasticy and could best be described as cheap and cheerful. I am sure a hungry squirrel would demolish it in about 15 minutes but, fortunately, they are not a problem for me. The main advantage I can see is that the only obstruction inside the tube to prevent the seed from dropping is one thin perch which passes through. The four ports are quite small and have little plastic 'visors' to keep out most of the rain so, hopefully, the seed should remain quite dry. It is raining today, so I will be able to see how this has affected the seed tonight. I now have to hope that the birds take to it and can get the seeds out easily. I did see a Dunnock pay a brief visit to it this morning but I couldn't see if it got any seed. The feeder also includes a socket at the bottom which allows it to fit on top of the heavy duty Gardman pole which I use. Fingers crossed that this one will do the trick.

Here is a link to the Gardman site:
http://www.gardmanwildbirdcare.co.uk/products/feeders

Ron

 

[NoSpringChicken]

The new feeder seems to be working very well. In addition to these Goldfinches I have seen House Sparrows, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches, Dunnocks and a pair of Greenfinches using it. We have had quite a bit of rain in the past couple of days but the seed seems to be dry and hasn't got clogged up yet. It is looking promising.

Ron

 

[dcweather]

Hi Stephen. Is that the Chapelwood Mesh Sunflower Feeder? That is the one which I bought but after three weeks the birds still wouldn't use it, so I went back to the RSPB tube type and the Chapelwood one is presently hanging, unused, in my shed. I don't think my birds like yellow paint.

Ron

-------------------------------------------
It's funny you should say that. I bought a yellow RSPB niger seed feeder for my neighbour and she didn't get a single Goldfinch on it. Lent her my one and they appeared the next day. I've also tried the yellow one in my garden and they will never go on it so perhaps there is something in it. I've heard Siskins go for red ones.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Another update. I tried the yellow Chapelwood feeder again and it was an instant success. I have been using it for the last 3 or 4 months and have been getting up to 7 birds on it at the same time. I bought one for a friend and the birds are nearly emptying hers every day.

I am not sure how the mesh feeders will work in the winter when there are days upon days of continuous rain with no chance for the seed to dry out. In the meantime, though, I like how easy it is to fill and keep clean.

Ron