If you are interested in feeding wild birds but do not want the mess and hassle of sprouting seeds, you may want to look into non-sprouting bird seed. There are many different types of non-sprouting bird seed available, so read on to find the one that is right for you. Some popular choices include hulled sunflower seeds, black oil sunflower seeds, milo, and millet.
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No grow or no mess bird seed
No grow or no mess wild bird seed is great for gardeners because it creates less mess, and a greater variety of bird species will eat it. No mess seed is specifically chosen with different species in mind. Some species prefer no mess seed while others prefer to eat whole seeds. Read on to learn more. Also, remember that bird seed should be thrown away regularly if not eaten right away. No mess seeds are also easier to clean than regular seed.
The ingredients in these mixes are high-energy and attract many types of wild birds. House sparrows, finches, and reed buntings will eat them. Blackbirds will also eat them if you use flaked maize. These no-mess mixes are ideal for use year-round, and won’t attract critters such as rats and mice. In addition to these benefits, no mess bird seed mixes are easy to use and are a great option for gardeners looking to attract more wild birds to their yard.
Using hulled sunflower seeds
If you want to attract more wild birds to your feeders, you should consider a hulled sunflower seed. Most birds will not sprout them, and they will happily sample the seeds. Besides, they are much cheaper than black oil sunflower seeds. These seeds are also known as sunflower chips or kernels. They are the perfect addition to a general bird seed mixture. Listed below are some tips to choose the right seed for your feeder.
Hull-free sunflower seeds are much easier to eat for birds. While most birds enjoy sunflower seeds, many types of birds do not eat the hulls. Hungry finches, house sparrows, and cardinals are big eaters. Another disadvantage to hulled sunflower seeds is that they tend to become soggy and mushy when they get damp. Additionally, they are less nutritious than whole sunflower seeds.
Using black oil sunflower seeds
You can feed your birds with black oil sunflower seeds, but you have to be careful when doing so. The birds tend to break open the hulls to get at the meat inside. This can make a messy mess underneath your feeder and may even damage your landscaping. Many birders prefer to buy hulled sunflower seeds, which are less messy. Nevertheless, hulled sunflower seeds are pricier.
Choosing non-sprouted wild bird seed isn’t difficult if you know how to properly store them. Black oil sunflower seeds have high oil content, but once they get old, they will become rancid and unattractive to birds. To prevent this from happening, store them in a cool place outside your home. Use a rodent-proof container. Keep them separate, so that the old seeds don’t mix with the new ones. A good rule of thumb is to store seed for two weeks during warm weather, and four weeks during cooler months. If you don’t have time to do this, then keep at least one or two days’ supply of seed in your feeder.
Using milo
If you want to attract more birds to your yard, try using milo for non sprouting wild bird seed. Although this seed will not sprout, it is a great alternative to other seed mixes. If you’re looking for a non-sprouted seed to attract birds, try offering it in large, low trays. Make sure to limit the amount of milo offered at one time to prevent waste. Milo is often preferred by squirrels, and you may want to mix it with a more desirable seed like sunflower or chaff.
If you’re looking for a natural seed that won’t cause your backyard birds to scatter, you might consider using milo. This grain, also known as sorghum, is much cheaper than many other bird seed varieties. It is an excellent source of fiber and iron, but doesn’t sprout, so it will remain on the ground until decomposition. Milo is also a less valuable filler than other grains, such as millet.
Using proso millet
If you want to feed birds and not have to worry about the mess of sprouted seeds, try using white proso millet. It’s particularly attractive to ground-feeding birds, including white-crowned sparrows, mourning doves, and California quail. While you may not like the taste of white millet, it will still attract many birds and is a great alternative to other types of seed.
You can get proso millet in two different varieties: red millet and white millet. Both are popular among ground-feeding birds. White proso millet is more nutritious and won’t sprout, while red millet doesn’t sprout. Red millet is larger than white millet, and most birds won’t eat it unless they have no other choice. Milo is a reddish seed that resembles BB gun ammunition. Some birds prefer this seed, but songbirds don’t.
