birdfood

Retro1951

Hello Everyone,
Strange question: What to do with bird food that even the squirrels don't like??? Even though the best before date is 2024!!!!
Suggestions much appreciated.

Fairygirl

What kind of birdfood is it? 
More info needed 

Retro1951

Hello Fairygirl, I just had another look, bbd not 2024, it's feb 2022. It is: 'Seed mix for wild birds', composition: 'cereals, seeds, oils and fat' from Dungannon in Co Tyrone.
It looks a lot of (hard) grains and a scattering of black sunflower seeds. I think I just got the wrong sort of food. 

Fairygirl

If it was cheap, it'll be mainly barley/wheat and that kind of thing. The black whole sunflower seeds are a giveaway 
The no mess mixes have a better ratio, and are dearer, but cheaper in the long run. Many of the cheaper mixes attract the scavengers of the bird world - pigeons, crows etc. 
I think squirrels eat mainly 'nutty' stuff, so that may be why they aren't interested either. The ones here try to get into any feeders with sunflower hearts [they can't!]  or the peanuts, and they possibly chuck out the other seed, which ground feeding birds will clear up. 

If you have a look at what birds you're likely to have in your area, and then tailor the seed mix you buy to suit, you can build it up from there. Most of the small birds love sunflower hearts, and many of us on the forum use those. I have a couple of feeders with just those, and then a seed one. All in cages, so that the wee birds don't get to the party after the big birds have eaten everything 
I get seed from Garden Wildlife Direct. There are quite a few good outlets though. 

Retro1951

Thank you Fairygirl. I just got the wrong one. We have blue tits nesting every year. Also coming to our garden: great tits, greenfinches, goldfinches (a lot this year on the sunflower seeds), pigeons, coloured dove, a wren, woodpecker...and squirrels.I have bought some two different bags of seed this afternoon from a garden centre nearby, small ones, see how they like those....

Retro1951

Still do not know what to do with the old seed though...????

Fairygirl

Similar to the birds I have too. 

Could you fill up some feeders with the different mixes, and see which ones get used most?

Fairygirl

You do know you can edit your posts @andymorris? It means you don't have to keep posting new ones every time you add something else.
if you click on the cog wheel [top right] you have about an hour to change/add to them 

debs64

Maybe try adding the unpopular food to some melted suet or lard to make a bird cake? Starlings usually enjoy those 

Joyce Goldenlily

I made a similar mistake last year, ended up with most of the grain being ignored. I am giving my very large bag of unwanted grain to a chicken owner. My neighbour's mother has a friend who owns chicken. A bit of a circuitous route but better than binning it and the rats finding it. Suppose I could advertise it on Freecycle.

Dovefromabove

@Joyce Goldenlily an idea... swap the ‘bird food’ with the chicken keeper for some chicken poo for the compost heap ... a wonderful activator 👍