Wild bird seed and nuts are an essential part of the diet of many species of birds. They provide energy and a source of fat, which birds use for flying, hunting and protecting their nests and hatchlings.
Although they are high in calories, seeds and nuts are healthy and a part of a well-balanced diet.
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Peanuts
Peanuts are an excellent source of protein and fat for birds, providing them with a high-energy, nutritious treat. They are easy to offer in your wild bird feeder, and a wide variety of birds will appreciate them.
Peanut seeds are a legume crop that can be grown in many soil types. They fix nitrogen by means of a process called nodulation, and are particularly valuable as a soil-enriching crop in a crop rotation.
A range of peanut cultivars have been bred, grouped into four major families. The Spanish, Runner, Virginia, and Valencia groups all have distinct attributes that are useful for different uses and in different climates. These include disease resistance, drought tolerance, size, and taste.
Sunflower
Sunflower seeds are one of the most popular wild bird seed and nuts that are offered to songbirds. They have all the nutrients birds need to stay healthy and strong.
They are high in fat to help them regulate their body temperature and contain a lot of protein. They are also a great source of vitamin E and other nutrients that support their immune system.
Black oil sunflower seeds are the most popular for birds and make up about 75 percent of the most common varieties of seed sold at bird feed stores. Other types of seeds include gray and striped. While all of these seeds are nutritious for birds, black oil is the best choice because they have the thinnest hulls and are small enough that smaller birds will be able to crack them open with their beaks.
Millet
Millet is one of the main ingredients in most mixed bird seed blends, as it is a favorite of ground feeding birds such as juncos, doves, towhees, and sparrows. It is also an essential part of our seed mixes for caged birds such as finches, canaries, and small-sized hookbills.
Compared to other seeds like sunflower and safflower, millet is lower in fat and higher in carbohydrates, making it ideal for baby birds. It also calms and digests well, which makes it an effective feed for caged birds during molting, weaning, and reproduction periods.
Millets are rich in niacin, which helps the body manage more than 400 enzyme reactions and is also important for healthy skin and organ function. It is also an excellent source of beta-carotene, which helps the body fight free radicals.
Nut & Fruit Blend
Birds need energy for their feathered escapades and nothing stokes the fire quite like a healthy serving of high-quality seeds. A well-balanced blend of oil-rich sunflower and Nyjer seeds, protein-packed peanuts, high-energy papaya pieces and a whole lot more is a surefire way to entice nuthatches, chickadees, finches, grosbeaks, titmice and jays to your backyard bird feeders.
We carry a wide selection of the most highly rated, award-winning wild bird seed and nuts at H&S Feed & Country Store. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you find the perfect wild bird food for your backyard oasis. You’re sure to discover the best blend for your needs and budget at a price you can afford. The birds will thank you. You’ll be rewarded with happy, healthy birds all year long!
Nyjer Seed
Nyjer seed is a tiny black seed that grows in India and Africa. This tiny seed is favored by many finches and siskins.
This seed is a favorite of finches and siskins because it contains a good amount of oil. It is also high in protein, which helps to rebuild feathers.
In addition, nyjer seed is an excellent winter food source for finches and other small birds because it has a high fat content.
Because nyjer seed can spoil quickly, you should purchase it in small quantities and store it in your fridge before putting it out at your feeders. Moreover, nyjer feeders are designed with tiny port holes that allow finches to feed upside down.
