Although having birds in your garden can be a wonderful experience, the expense of birdseed can mount up rapidly. But feeding our feathery companions does not have to cost a fortune. Using creative techniques, you can draw colorful birds in your yard and keep costs down.
This guide by Pet Life Expert covers 12 practical and affordable ways to feed birds. From picking the best seeds and using natural feeders to attracting birds with water and making do-it-yourself solutions, this guide will help you with feeding birds without exceeding our budget.
Feeding Birds at Cost-effective Rates | 12 Best Hacks
Here are some of the best solutions to feeding birds while staying within your budget.
1. It’s Ok to Ration Seeds
Giving out a small quantity of food rather than filling feeders all the time is okay because feeders are a valuable daily addition to natural diets, not the birds’ exclusive source of nutrition. A scoop or two of food a day, ideally supplied when you know you can watch, may only last a few hours, but it is more fun for you and more beneficial to feeding birds than filling feeders once a week and then leaving them empty for days.
2. Use No-Shell Blends
Since birds do not eat shells, they can account for up to 50% of the bag weight in traditional (with shell) blends, which is a waste. Although no-shell seeds, such as our no-mess blends and sunflower chips, are a little more expensive per bag than regular seeds, they are the best value because you get nearly twice as much food, and your landscape is debris-free. Nevertheless, you are still getting a potent mix free of filler grains if a bag of one of our with-shell blends is the most affordable option for you on any given day.
3. Protect Your Foods
Use suitable baffles, guards, or hot pepper foods to stop squirrels, raccoons, or blackbirds from consuming your food. Just this will result in significant cost savings. Check out the advice in the different articles on our website. To prevent rain from destroying food, use weather guards. In addition to that, you must not keep the same food in the feeder or dispenser for more than two days, as it can be unhygienic for feeding birds.
4. Use Targeted Foods
Choose the seed mixes best suited for the birds you wish to feed. A few particular meals can keep birds from consuming all the feeders. Cardinals, for instance, are like safflowers, but blackbirds are not. A millet combination will draw more house sparrows than sunflower chips or no-mess plus. Stop by and ask a veterinarian; there are plenty more instances. Similarly, instead of purchasing all large bags, you might get a 20-pound bag of seed and supplement for variation with smaller bags of specialty foods. We offer most of our seeds in bags of five, ten, and twenty pounds.
5. Don’t Fall for Junk Seed
Discount shop blends may appear to be reasonably priced at first glance, but they may contain up to 90% filler grains, such as milo (the reddish-orange grain seen in this picture), wheat, and ats, which are not used by songbirds in our region. Because millet is small enough to go through the tiny holes of finch feeders, it is sometimes added in huge quantities, even for special diets like finch mixes. However, this is a complete waste to feeding birds since finches do not even eat millet.
6. Use Seed Cylinders
Tightly packed feeders for premium bird food are called seed cylinders. They are the simplest and most durable method of feeding birds. To keep the animals away, cylinders come in various mixtures, some containing hot pepper. Cylinders tend to weed out the lazy birds (i.e., fewer house sparrows) since they are denser and require more effort from the birds to obtain food. Protected cages or selective flavors can deter squirrels and starlings.
7. Feed A Little at a Time
Bird feeders are not the birds’ exclusive food source but a valuable daily addition to their natural diets. It is OK to distribute a small quantity of food rather than filling feeders all the time. A scoop or two of food a day (preferably supplied when you know you can watch) may only last a few hours, but it is more fun for you and valuable to the birds than filling feeders once a week.
8. Plant Natural or DIY Feeders
They use natural feeders to supplement birds’ natural food on any landscape. So, consider planting natural sources for birds, whether it’s a good or bad economic time. In addition to providing refuge and nesting sites, plants give the birds food through seeds, berries, nuts, sap, and nectar. They will provide the birds with free food for many years after planting. Make DIY feeders to ensure having good feeding spot for your feathered friends.
9. Buy Bird Food In Bulk
One of the fantastic ideas for feeding birds on a budget is purchasing food in bulk. Consider purchasing seed in bulk to save money if you are devoted to seeing the birds visit your feeders. All feeder birds love black-oil sunflower seeds; steer clear of seed mixtures that frequently contain “filler” seeds that most birds discard. Store seed in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid to keep moisture and other pests out.
10. Attract Birds with Water
Giving food free can be inexpensive to draw birds to your backyard or garden. An essential bird bath with clean water will draw a lot of birds to your yard, even if you cannot give them food. Change the water every three days to keep the tub clean and prevent mosquito issues. Ensure the water is clean and served in the proper drinking dispenser or feeder to ensure your bird gets hygienic food.
11. Use Bargain Suet
Suet, or fat from the area around the kidney of a cow, is another low-cost food source. If your neighborhood butcher cannot give it to you for free, you may buy it for a reasonable price. The pricey store-bought prefabricated suet cakes are inferior to this pure suet. Ask for the deer suet that comes with butchering if you hunt deer or know someone who does which is one of the bonus tips. Some people discover that birds over beef prefer venison suet.
12. DIY Bird Bath with Recycled Materials
Easy do-it-yourself bird baths will draw birds throughout the summer. They do not have to be lavish or feature pools and waterfalls. You can use a bowl, pan, discarded saucer, or garbage can lid. To allow the birds to stand while drinking and bathing, simply keep it filled with fresh water no deeper than a couple of inches.
To End Up
Feeding birds doesn’t necessarily mean going over budget. By implementing some budget-friendly tips, you can enjoy the beauty and companionship of your feather friends without overspending. Remember to choose the right foods, protect your feeders, and provide clean water. You can create a welcoming bird environment with creativity and planning while reducing costs. Our 12 most valuable tips are going to help you a lot in attracting birds while keeping them happy and energetic.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
What Inexpensive Bird Feeders Can Be Made at Home?
Pinecones spread with peanut butter rolled in birdseed or old wooden pallets can make feeders easily for feeding birds. Just make sure birds can quickly and safely use the feeder.
Is Feeding Kitchen Scraps to Birds Recommended?
Yes! Some kitchen leftovers are good for feeding birds, like bananas, berries, apples, and food without salt or sugar. In addition to that, you must not give anything processed or spoiled.
Suggest Some Tips to Make My Mix Birdseed?
Combining various seeds in large quantities can result in a handmade seed mix. Additionally, for a nutrient-dense lunch, you can utilize specific items such as broken corn, safflower seeds, sunflower seeds, and millet.
Which Birdseed Helps You Save Money the Most?
Black-oil sunflower seeds are the least expensive birdseed choice that can draw a wide range of species. Additionally, to save money, purchasing these seeds in quantity is recommended. In addition to that, you can stretch your budget by using less expensive seeds like millet and corn.
Is It Worth Having a Bird Feeder in My Home?
While the initial cost can be high, a suitable bird feeder can last three years and provide food to feeding birds continuously. You can also look for the most affordable option at highly discounted rates or consider making your feeders for feeding birds.
