Introduction
There’s a simple joy in watching birds flit and flutter around your backyard. The vibrant colors, the melodic chirps, and the fascinating behaviors provide endless entertainment and a connection to nature. Feeding wild birds is a rewarding way to attract these creatures to your property, creating a lively and beautiful environment. If you’re serious about feeding birds, you quickly realize that smaller bags of birdseed just don’t cut it. That’s where purchasing wild bird food in larger quantities, specifically in a twenty-pound bag, comes into play. Not only is it more convenient, but it can also save you money in the long run. This article aims to guide you through the process of selecting the right twenty-pound bag of wild bird food, ensuring you’re providing a nutritious and attractive food source for your feathered friends while maximizing value. We’ll explore the essential ingredients to look for, proper storage techniques, and some tried-and-true tips for attracting a greater variety of birds to your backyard haven. Choosing the right bird food can significantly impact the health and well-being of your backyard visitors. So, let’s dive in and discover how to make your bird feeding experience both enjoyable and successful.
Why Choose a Twenty Pound Bag of Wild Bird Food?
Buying wild bird food isn’t just about scattering seeds. It’s about providing a consistent food source, attracting a wider variety of birds, and ultimately, enhancing the ecological value of your property. Opting for a twenty-pound bag offers several advantages over purchasing smaller, more frequent quantities.
Cost Effectiveness
One of the most compelling reasons to buy wild bird food in bulk, like a twenty-pound bag, is the cost savings. Think of it like buying anything else in bulk – the price per pound typically decreases as the quantity increases. Over time, these savings can really add up. While prices fluctuate depending on the specific blend, brand, and retailer, you’ll almost always find that a twenty-pound bag offers a better value than buying two ten-pound bags or four five-pound bags. This is especially true if you’re a regular bird feeder, going through a significant amount of seed each month. You’re saving money and resources with fewer trips to the store and more resources used in production when purchasing larger quantities. The money saved can be used to purchase higher-quality bird food, better feeders, or even a bird bath, enhancing your bird feeding setup even further.
Convenience Matters
Beyond the financial benefits, a twenty-pound bag of wild bird food offers undeniable convenience. No more frequent trips to the store to replenish your supply. With a larger bag on hand, you can refill your feeders as needed without constantly worrying about running out. This is especially helpful if you have multiple feeders or live in an area with a large bird population that consumes seed quickly. A twenty-pound bag provides a buffer, ensuring your birds always have access to a reliable food source. This minimizes the stress of frequent shopping trips and allows you to spend more time enjoying the birds in your yard.
Supporting Sustainability
While it might seem counterintuitive, buying a larger bag of wild bird food can also contribute to sustainability. Fewer trips to the store translate to less fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions. Furthermore, packaging waste is minimized when you’re purchasing a single twenty-pound bag instead of multiple smaller bags. Look for brands that use recyclable packaging or offer bulk refill options to further reduce your environmental impact. Some retailers even offer discounts for bringing your own container for refills, promoting a circular economy. By making conscious choices about the quantity and packaging of your bird food, you can reduce your ecological footprint.
Suitable for Many Feeders and Yards
If you have a multitude of feeders or a large yard that’s home to a diverse collection of birds, you understand the struggle of replenishing your bird seed consistently. For these situations, a twenty-pound bag of wild bird food is a perfect fit. It can keep your multiple feeders stocked, and can ensure you always have an adequate amount of seed to fulfill the appetites of your backyard visitors. If you own a large hopper or other large-capacity feeders, it becomes more practical to buy bird food in larger quantities, like the twenty pound bags we’ve been discussing.
Key Ingredients to Look For (and Avoid) in Wild Bird Food
The quality of your wild bird food directly impacts the health and well-being of the birds you attract. Understanding the different ingredients and their nutritional value is crucial for choosing the right mix.
Preferred Ingredients
- Sunflower Seeds (Black Oil): These are a staple in most birdseed mixes for good reason. Black oil sunflower seeds are high in oil content, providing birds with a valuable source of energy, especially during the colder months. They have thin shells, making them easy for even smaller birds to crack open. Plus, a wide variety of birds love them, from chickadees and finches to cardinals and woodpeckers.
- Safflower Seeds: These seeds are another excellent source of energy and are particularly attractive to cardinals, grosbeaks, and doves. An added bonus: squirrels generally dislike safflower seeds, making them a good choice for deterring these furry freeloaders.
- White Proso Millet: This small, round seed is a favorite among ground-feeding birds like doves, juncos, and sparrows. It’s often included in mixes designed to attract a wider variety of birds. Sprinkle it on the ground near your feeders to encourage ground feeders to visit.
- Nyjer (Thistle) Seeds: These tiny black seeds are a magnet for finches, especially goldfinches, house finches, and purple finches. They require a specialized feeder with small ports to prevent the seeds from spilling out.
- Cracked Corn: This is a cost-effective ingredient that attracts larger birds like pigeons, doves, and quail. However, it can also attract unwanted visitors like rodents, so it’s best to use it sparingly or in areas where you don’t mind attracting these larger birds.
- Peanuts: Provide a high-energy food source for birds. Be cautious of aflatoxin by making sure you’re buying from reputable brands.
Ingredients to Avoid or Limit
- Fillers (Wheat, Milo, Red Millet): These ingredients are often included in cheaper birdseed mixes as fillers. They offer little nutritional value to birds and are often discarded, leading to waste and potential weed growth under your feeders.
- Processed Foods: It’s best to avoid anything that contains unhealthy additives, as these can be harmful to birds.
- Artificial Colors/Flavors: These are completely unnecessary and potentially harmful to birds. Stick to natural ingredients that provide real nutritional value.
Reading the Label
Always take the time to read the ingredient list on the bag of wild bird food. The ingredients are usually listed in order of weight, so the first few ingredients make up the bulk of the mix. Also, pay attention to the guaranteed analysis, which provides information on the percentage of protein, fat, and fiber in the mix. A higher protein and fat content generally indicates a more nutritious food source.
Three Top Rated Twenty Pound Wild Bird Food Options
Choosing the right wild bird food can seem overwhelming with so many options available. Here are three top-rated twenty-pound options to consider, catering to different needs and preferences.
All Purpose Mixes
These mixes are designed to attract a wide variety of birds to your feeders. They typically contain a blend of sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, white proso millet, and cracked corn.
Sunflower Seed Mixes
Sunflower seed mixes are a great option to have on hand, and many birds will find them very attractive. Consider incorporating a mix like this into your bird feeding strategy.
No Waste Mixes
These mixes are formulated to minimize waste and mess under your feeders. They typically contain hulled sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other ingredients that birds can easily consume without leaving behind shells or hulls.
Proper Storage of Wild Bird Food
Once you’ve purchased your twenty-pound bag of wild bird food, proper storage is essential for maintaining its freshness and preventing spoilage.
Importance of Airtight Containers
Store your birdseed in an airtight container to protect it from moisture, pests, and rodents. Moisture can lead to mold growth, making the seed unsafe for birds to consume. Pests and rodents can contaminate the seed and damage the packaging.
Ideal Storage Location
Store your container of birdseed in a cool, dry, and dark place. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, as these can degrade the quality of the seed. A garage, shed, or basement is typically a good option.
Checking for Spoilage
Regularly inspect your birdseed for signs of spoilage, such as a musty smell, mold growth, or the presence of insects. If you notice any of these signs, discard the seed immediately. Never feed spoiled food to birds.
Metal Versus Plastic for Storage
Both metal and plastic containers can be used to store birdseed. However, metal containers are generally more durable and rodent-proof. Plastic containers are lighter and easier to handle, but they may be more susceptible to damage from pests.
Tips for Attracting More Birds to Your Feeder
Attracting a diverse range of birds to your backyard is all about providing the right food, water, and shelter.
Choosing the Right Feeder
Different types of feeders attract different types of birds. Tube feeders are popular for smaller birds like finches and chickadees, while hopper feeders are better suited for larger birds like cardinals and grosbeaks. Platform feeders are ideal for ground-feeding birds like doves and sparrows.
Feeder Placement
Consider the location of your feeders carefully. Place them in a spot that is easily visible to birds but also offers some protection from predators. Proximity to trees or shrubs provides cover for birds to escape to if they feel threatened.
Water Source
Birds need water too! Offer a bird bath or shallow dish of water for birds to drink and bathe in. Keep the water clean and fresh, especially during the warmer months.
Keep Feeders Clean
Regularly clean your feeders to prevent the spread of diseases. Remove any old or moldy food and scrub the feeders with soap and water. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before refilling.
Diversity of Seeds
Consider providing food for birds during all stages of their life cycles, providing a wide array of seeds in order to keep birds coming to your feeder.
Potential Problems and Considerations
While feeding birds is a rewarding experience, there are some potential problems to be aware of.
Pest Control
Squirrels, rodents, and insects can all be attracted to bird feeders. Use squirrel-proof feeders or baffles to deter squirrels. Store birdseed in airtight containers to prevent rodents and insects from getting into it.
Preventing Seed Spillage and Weeds
Choose no-waste mixes to minimize seed spillage and weed growth under your feeders. Use trays under feeders to catch any spilled seed.
Potential for Mold/Bacteria Growth
Especially in humid climates, mold and bacteria can grow in birdseed. Proper storage is key to preventing this.
Conclusion
Investing in a twenty-pound bag of wild bird food is a smart choice for any bird lover who wants to save money, provide a consistent food source, and attract a wider variety of birds to their backyard. By choosing the right mix, storing it properly, and following these tips for attracting more birds, you can create a vibrant and enjoyable bird-feeding experience that benefits both you and your feathered friends. Start attracting more birds to your yard today, enjoying the beauty of nature right outside your window! Remember to choose high-quality ingredients, prioritize proper storage, and adapt your strategies based on the birds you hope to attract. Happy birding!
