How To Save Money On Wild Birdseed

When it comes to luring in wild birds into your yard, buying different types of seeds can get expensive. And, if money is tight, sometimes feeding your wild feathered friends can fall to the back burner. So, how do you save money on wild birdseed instead of trying to buy the expensive stuff all year round? Here are some helpful tips and suggestions that you can try:

1. Buy Bulk: A lot of time mixes and seeds can be bought in different size bags and the larger bags have a better price per pound. Buying bigger bags can also mean that you have more seed on hand and you won't have to buy as frequently.

2. Grow A Birdseed Garden: Believe it or not, but birdseed is very easy to grow and the natural seed will attract even more birds than filled feeders. How do you do this? We have a special two-part blog that shows you exactly what to plant to draw in wild birds and keep them coming back. Saving some of these seeds when they fall off can also help you save up some free seed for the winter or times when you can't affort to purchase a bag.

3. Buy Better Seed: Higher quality seed such as hulled sunflower chips might be more expensive, but they will also not be overfilled with filler seeds that only a few birds will eat. Instead, they are filled with higher quality seed that all birds love and you won't waste as much seed.

4. Offer Alternatives: A lot of birds will eat more than just birdseed.

Consider adding in nectar, chopped fruit, bread scraps, or other types of food to your feeders in addition to or in replacement of seeds.

5. Shop Around: Watch for sales on bird seed at some local feed stores and when the "birdwatching" season (Spring and Fall) are over. Sometimes you can find great deals on stores that are trying to clear out their shelves for new items.

6. Use Efficient Feeders: Watch your bird feeders and how much seed is being emptied. You might be surprised to find out that you're feeding more than just birds - such as squirrels, deer, raccoons, and so on. You can purchase feeders with built in cages or smaller feeding ports so that it will deter some of the non-feathered feeders.

Hopefully these tips will help you to save money on bird seed so that you can still enjoy your wild bird friends throughout the year - even if money is tight.