Tractor Supply carries a wide range of wild bird seed, from single seeds like black oil sunflower to mixed blends and suet. Brands and blends in the store change over time, so use this guide to pick by seed type and bag label rather than by name. The best seed depends on which birds you want to see.
Seed types and who eats them
- Black oil sunflower: the best all-round seed. Cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, grosbeaks, and finches all eat it.
- Safflower: a favorite of cardinals and grosbeaks. Squirrels and starlings often avoid it.
- White proso millet: sparrows, juncos, doves, and other ground feeders.
- Nyjer (thistle): goldfinches, pine siskins, and redpolls, fed from a fine-mesh sock or a small-port tube feeder.
- Peanuts and suet: woodpeckers, jays, and nuthatches, especially in cold weather when birds need extra fat.
- Cracked corn, milo, wheat: filler seeds. A little attracts ground feeders, but mixes that are mostly filler lead to waste.
How to read a bag
Seed is listed by weight, so the first ingredients are the bulk of the mix. Look for blends that lead with sunflower and millet. Check that the bag is sealed and dry, with no holes, and avoid bags that feel damp or smell musty. If you only want to see cardinals and finches, a bag of plain black oil sunflower is usually better value than a fancy mix.
Picking a feeder
- Tube feeders suit sunflower and small seeds.
- Hopper feeders hold more and handle mixes.
- Platform trays work for ground feeders and mixes.
- Suet cages hold suet cakes for woodpeckers and chickadees.
Place feeders near shrubs or trees for cover, away from windows where birds may strike the glass.
Storing seed
Keep seed in a metal or heavy plastic bin with a lid, in a cool, dry place. Moisture and heat grow mold and attract mice. Throw out clumped, moldy, or sour-smelling seed. Buy only what you will use in a couple of months.
Keep feeders clean
Clean feeders every week or two with hot soapy water, then rinse and dry. Fresh seed and clean feeders help prevent the spread of disease among birds. If wild bird illness is reported in your area, local wildlife agencies may ask people to pause feeding, so check local guidance.
Related guides
- Pennington Select Black Oil Sunflower Wild Bird Seed Review
- Pennington Select Mealworms at Tractor Supply Co
- Walmart Wild Bird Seed 40 Lb
Bottom Line
At Tractor Supply, black oil sunflower is the safest seed to buy for most backyards. Add safflower for cardinals, millet for ground feeders, and suet in winter, and read the label before you buy a mixed bag.
