{"id":2879,"date":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-10-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/birdhousesupply.com\/?p=2879"},"modified":"2017-05-19T19:36:59","modified_gmt":"2017-05-19T19:36:59","slug":"how-to-choose-seed-for-your-feeders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birdhousesupply.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-seed-for-your-feeders\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose Seed for Your Feeders"},"content":{"rendered":"

You walk into the big warehouse store with your shopping list.<\/p>\n

Your bins of wild bird seed are getting low and it\u2019s time to restock to keep your avian (and squirrel) diner in top operating condition.<\/p>\n

You want to be sure you are choosing the best seed and mixes for your customers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What do you do?<\/p>\n

What if you have been buying the wrong seed, or worse, the \u201clousy\u201d brands?<\/p>\n

The customer satisfaction sheets you left on the tree by the tube feeder have not been touched. Is that a bad sign?<\/p>\n

\u201cBad Seed\u201d<\/h2>\n

This label refers to more than wayward descendants. Buying bad seed is a real health risk for your birds. At the least \u2013 your dollars get wasted and you need to clean up the tossed \u201cjunk\u201d scattered on the ground \u2013 that translates to money AND time in the compost bin.<\/p>\n

Birds will let you know what is NOT the chef\u2019s best selection. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Poor quality seed has an even bigger impact on your feeding stations. It can have a cumulative effect on the birds if it is old, stale, or if the seed has not been stored properly by the seller or manufacturer. \u201cBad\u201d seed can harbor disease organisms such as mold or bacteria and it can have a lowered nutritional value.<\/p>\n

Seed that gets tossed quickly begins to spoil as it sits on the ground. Cleaning this seed up is paramount. You may even have to clean and disinfect the feeders, as these poor quality grains are often full of sticks, dust and other non-edibles that enhance spoilage and clog\u00a0bird feeders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to recognize bad seed:<\/h3>\n

\u201cCheap\u201d seed is easily recognizable.<\/p>\n