I must admit that I tend to buy my bird feed from supermarkets & multiples because it is, or seems to be, cheaper. However I am now wondering if that is why, currently, I am only a attracting a few very common tit species along with the odd robin. So is it worth spending more money on feed recommended by one of the birding organizations or a birding 'personality' or is the difference in quality non-existent?
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Will Expensive Bird Food Attract More Birds? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Lawsyd
- Start date
papanatur3
Well-known member
Hi, as surprising as this may seem to some people I get all mine from the £1 store. They are selling bags of nuts, sunflower hearts.. Mixed seeds etc.
The birds come in non stop and wipe it out within a few hours, Everything from Tits/Goldfinches/woodpecker on the feeder to Jays, Chaffinches and everything else you would expect to find in a garden on the ground.
I dont think you need to be fooled into shelling out for expensive stuff but thats just my opinion. Seems the birds are more concerned that the feed is there on a regular basis regardless of the weather rather then what you spent on it.
The birds come in non stop and wipe it out within a few hours, Everything from Tits/Goldfinches/woodpecker on the feeder to Jays, Chaffinches and everything else you would expect to find in a garden on the ground.
I dont think you need to be fooled into shelling out for expensive stuff but thats just my opinion. Seems the birds are more concerned that the feed is there on a regular basis regardless of the weather rather then what you spent on it.
There may be a problem of spoilage.
If the feeder is attracting only a few birds, the seed may be getting mouldy from the damp.
That would discourage repeat visits.
Add a suet feeder, it should not have any mould problem and would attract tits, nuthatches and woodpeckers. The first two might then also discover your regular feeders.
If the feeder is attracting only a few birds, the seed may be getting mouldy from the damp.
That would discourage repeat visits.
Add a suet feeder, it should not have any mould problem and would attract tits, nuthatches and woodpeckers. The first two might then also discover your regular feeders.
rosbifs
PutAin STOP
Maybe in times of credit crisis the birds will favour the cheaper products. Avoiding pine nuts (c.35 euros the kilo) and veering towards the walnut end of the bird table (c.20 euros the kilo).
I try and catch a heap of spiders to make a big fat ball for the Wallcreepers but the spiders just eat each other.....
I try and catch a heap of spiders to make a big fat ball for the Wallcreepers but the spiders just eat each other.....
PYRTLE
Old Berkshire Boy
I think that the cheaper varities of wild bird food have a higher concentration of the cheaper seeds and cereals to bulk out the bags. The more expensive brands that are marketed by charities such as the RSPB and various trusts tend to have a much higher ratio in the mix of the best quality items which are most beneficial to garden visitor species such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, berries, and some insects. Perhaps you can try a variety of feeders and food to maximise the species that you wish to attract. Also, the location and where you live could be a factor.
I would suggest at least three feeders, one for peanuts, one for sunflower seeds and one with a general mix. If you have a bird table try bits of cheese, soaked sultanas or raisins and as a treat mealworms for your favourite robin. Also during very cold weather and shorter daylight hours, they need to get the essential nutrients and easily digested fats in as quickly as possible to have a better chance of survival.
Beware that this could become expensive, but worth it.....you can always have fun making your own suet cakes. Good luck. P
I would suggest at least three feeders, one for peanuts, one for sunflower seeds and one with a general mix. If you have a bird table try bits of cheese, soaked sultanas or raisins and as a treat mealworms for your favourite robin. Also during very cold weather and shorter daylight hours, they need to get the essential nutrients and easily digested fats in as quickly as possible to have a better chance of survival.
Beware that this could become expensive, but worth it.....you can always have fun making your own suet cakes. Good luck. P
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Thanks for your replies so far. To clarify the situation, I have three feeders hanging from one rose arch. Two of the feeders contain mixed seeds & I have added some commercial, flavoured, suet pellets. The other feeder contains only niger seed. All three feeders were cleaned, using a brush for a babies bottle & warm water, about a month ago.
Steve Dudley
aka The Toadsnatcher
I agree with Pyrtle about cheaper food has generally made up of cheaper seeds which may lead to more wastage.
I think though it largely depends on your garden situation and where you feed. YOu can easily find you get fewer birds on badly situated feeder containing premium seed than you do on a better placed feeder with cheaper seed. I'd buy what you can afford and just play with positioning to get it right.
Also, if you have lots of ground feeders (and no cats around!) then you'll find you get less wastage than if you dont have ground feeders.
I think though it largely depends on your garden situation and where you feed. YOu can easily find you get fewer birds on badly situated feeder containing premium seed than you do on a better placed feeder with cheaper seed. I'd buy what you can afford and just play with positioning to get it right.
Also, if you have lots of ground feeders (and no cats around!) then you'll find you get less wastage than if you dont have ground feeders.
