Feeding the birds

[mjs1973]

Just wondering what people use as bird feeders, and what types of food they use. My food mix right now is a black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds. I also mixed a bag of Kaytee Birders Blend in with it, just because I had a bag. I want to add peanuts in the shell to the mix, but I don't think they will fit thru the small openings on my feeders. I may have to modify them so the birds can get the peanuts out.

I have a total of 5 feeders in my yard. One is a pretty standard plastic "lantern" style feeder. Another is pretty similar, only made of metal, with plexiglass sides. I have 2 cedar feeders. One is pretty small, the other a bit bigger with 2 suet holders on it. I also have a sock feeder full of nyger seed for finches. I just put the sock feeder up today. I had a humming bird feeder out this summer, but all to visit that were ants. I have another standard tube style finch feeder, but I took that down and replaced it with one of the cedar feeders.

I also have a couple corn cob holders for the squirels. They can get in all of the feeders as well, but I don't mind.

So what do you use to feed the birds and squirels?

[Knight]

Well i for one have one of those corn cob holder`s and 3 home made feeders sorta barn style looking , have a log that i drilled holes in, inch and a quarter in size i think . i pack these with suet tubes that i bought. They seem to attract a good variety of birds. Wish i knew what i could use to attract Cardinals only have one picture of one and its not a good one lol.
Being a Power Lineman i often do backyard work and more and more people are feeding birds ,so i might just get myself a small PS to keep in my coat pocket just in case i come upon some different kind of bird in someones back yard


Squirels i just put some peanuts around here and there , they sniff them out pretty easy

[mjs1973]

Wish i knew what i could use to attract Cardinals only have one picture of one and its not a good one lol.

If I remember correctly from a post the Paul made a while back, Cardinals LOVE safflower seeds.

[srobb]

The cardinals also like the black oil sunflower seeds. Only have two feeders right now since this years is my first to do it. I have one of the plastic lantern type feeders and a round one that is metal and glass. I bought a Nat'l Geographic brand of seed that is specifically for cardinals and songbirds. Have had several cardinals on them, but have not had a good shot at one.

[paulnj]

Yes, Carinals LOVE safflower , but will also eat blackoils readily too.

Mind you , most commercial bird seeds have tons of filler in them. I use lyric brand "bird seed" of some sort and mix that 1:1 with straight black oils(not the tough striped sunflower seeds)

Thistle is what winter finches want, so I have one big feeder with my 1:1 mix and thistle added in and one straight thistle feeder. I live in a condo right now, so I don't have too much room for feeders.

REMEMBER THOUGH..... If you feed birds in the winter, make sure you do so all through the winter! Birds stay around BECAUSE you supply food, if you stop they very well might die of starvation.

[mjs1973]

I have found myself in the bird feeder isles of several stores just looking at all the feeders available. Drives my girlfriend nuts. Speaking of nuts, I'm picking up some peanuts tonight.

[srobb]

Yes, Carinals LOVE safflower , but will also eat blackoils readily too.

Mind you , most commercial bird seeds have tons of filler in them. I use lyric brand "bird seed" of some sort and mix that 1:1 with straight black oils(not the tough striped sunflower seeds)

Thistle is what winter finches want, so I have one big feeder with my 1:1 mix and thistle added in and one straight thistle feeder. I live in a condo right now, so I don't have too much room for feeders.

REMEMBER THOUGH..... If you feed birds in the winter, make sure you do so all through the winter! Birds stay around BECAUSE you supply food, if you stop they very well might die of starvation.

Well, that is one thing I will definitely do then. May even try to put some more out over the winter. Would that mean I would draw in more birds?
I would like to put out one for the finches. Don't have one yet.