Has anyone used safflower seeds in this feeder? Also I think I read conflicting comments about oil sunflower seeds - do these work okay ?
388992
I only use black oil sunflower seeds in my feeders. They work fine. Even the goldfinches like them!
388993
Many thanks to all who replied! I've been feeding safflower seeds in other feeders for over a year. I'm thinking of purchasing this type feeder for safflower also - that was the reason for my post.
388994
Pennington Ultra Fruit and Nut Blend - this is all I use. I have all bird varieties and, by far, it's their favorite. Squirrels love it; fortunately, they can't get to it in the feeder. I also have the large Brome with the cardinal ring. Squirrels can't get in it either, but love to curl theirselves around it and nap. Hate them!!!
388995
I have never used safflower seeds in this feeder so I can not answer the question.
388996
Never tried safflower seeds, but all types of sunflower seeds seem to work well.
388997
Yes. I use a mixture of safflower seeds and black oil sunflower seeds. The supplier was out of safflower seeds this last time, so I purchased a general mixed feed which I haven't put in the feeder, yet. The birds love the safflower seeds and the squirrels don't---good! Cardinals love the black oil sunflower seeds.
388998
I've used shelled and whole black oil sunflower seeds and it has worked perfectly.
1608842
We have three models of the Brome Squirrel Busters. They are designed for particular seeds. The finch style has small slits that the small birds use to extract a thistle seed. No larger seed could come through the narrow slit. For the black oil sunflower seeds, we use the classic style (1015?). It has a larger opening that allows the seed to drop down to the bottom of the enclosed opening for the bird to reach inside and extract the seed. This one is designed to hold the sunflower seed so it doesn't tend to spill out if the feeder is swinging (in case you have squirrels). We don't use thistle seed in the classic. The larger birds would throw it out. There is a new model called the peanut that is designed for clinging birds. We use the Birdacious Bark Butter Bits (a suet nugget) rather than peanuts. The tiny wrens, black caps, and all sizes of woodpeckers use it. The manufacturer has very helpful videos to help birders learn about the designs. We love these three designs and they are easy to fill and clean (as long as you watch the video first!)
331463
It works very well with sunflower seed. That is what I use exclusively. the Cardinals will go to the perch of the feeder and eat from there.
1275417
I don't and this one certainly is not. only for niger seed. don't know any birds that eat sunflower seeds that prefer feeding upside down, either. But most of them will probably get it anyway they can. There are wire feeders that are completely made of wire, even the bottom (I have two) that hold sunflower seed. The birds feed on them upside down and they hold any kind of seed. hope that helps.
1433174
Hi - you can use regular or mixed seed in this feeder. I use only sunflower seed, as I have a strong dislike of house sparrows and the regular feed attracts too many of them.Excellent feeder - very easy to dis-assemble and clean. Good luck.
1612660
Hi there, I haven't used the product in the winter time yet. So far, when it rains a lot , the product is pretty sturdy and the seeds don't get wet . I live in midtowm west Manhattan and have 2 beautiful cardinals come to this feeder after hanging it for about 1 week. If you decide to buy this product, just make sure you buy sun flower seeds that its size is not too large and able to be taken out from the metal sift.or u can use black oil sunflower seed .
1573620
I've had titmice, chickadees, one little goldfinch and occasionally juncos and cardinals. Juncos and cardinals prefer to feed on the ground but they have used the feeder when it was rainy outside. Unfortunately the squirrels like it too and perform all kinds of acrobatics to get the seeds. I only use sunflower seeds in it because I haven't had any luck with the seed mixtures. I live in Massachusetts and I always have more birds in the summer than in winter.
1111327
I am using a premium bird seed I bought at Tractor Supply. I add about 20% sunflower seed to the mix. We are covered up with Chickadees, Wrens, Eastern Towhee's, Cardinals, Finch, Downy Woodpecker, Indigo Bunting and many others I cannot identify. None of them seem to have any problem feeding at the small trough. Have you added the 1/4 inch plastic tubing to the perch as I outlined in my review? That gives the small birds a much better grip on the otherwise slick metal perch. Sometimes I add some Niger seed to the mix but it really does not seem to make much difference. I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina where we have many varieties of small birds. My land is covered with Pine trees so there is lots of spaces for birds to rest. Hope this helps.
1592636
I would check with the Audubon society on what seed mixture is best for your area. I know the Home Depot near me carries seed blends for the region I live in. The openings in the bottom screen of the feeder are small enough to hold most seeds while still letting rain drain through. Very sturdy feeder.
331465
Yes! I have one with sunflower seed and one with nut and berry from Walmart..Sometimes I have 12 cardinals on my deck at the same time..Since Sept. When I bought them, I'm also squirrel free :(.. I feed them also with squirrel mix, but they can't figure out how to get into the feeders..They slide off when they mount the top..LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! our two feeders..
1867591
Black sunflower seeds are what this is made for. Most mixes have a lot of smaller seeds that will fall out. I have found the birds have difficulty getting sunflower out though and would not recommend this feeder. It takes at least a week for them to empty this one and my other feeders need to be filled every day or two.
1535521
Feeder has worked well -- little spillage and the seed stays dry. Have been refilling it from the top all summer and the nyjer seed at the bottom seems to be OK. I plan to dump it out and check before refilling for the winter but I don't expect to have to throw out the bottom seed. Finches eat from it but so do other small birds. If you want to restrict feeding to only finches, buy an upside down feeder (holes are below the perches, not above). Took the finches a day or two to get the hang of it but they really do feed hanging upside down and no other birds do this so all the nyjer seed in this type of feeder goes to finches.
1511117
i use oily sunflower seeds. i'm sure you could use any kind. because the feeder is not huge, i doubt the crows would fit. our biggest problem is the squirrels and chipmunks - but they are so funny to watch. hope this helps.
1111329
Hmmm, I don't share that problem, in fact our squirrels took about 5 minutes to figure out how to feed from this feeder. So nothing has changed here. What do you feed your birds? We feed them safflower seed. Squirrels don't like it at first, but after a year or so they give up and decide to eat it anyway.
216902
Since I mainly have Cardinals -- I just used sunflower seeds -- other birds like it also --
1433175
I only use sunflower seeds but I just went out and looked at my feeder and I don't think you would have a problem with the millet. The way the perch/port is constructed it blocks the seed from just flowing out the port. The bird has to pick the seeds out from the bottom of the openings.
1663011
I'd recommend using a suet cage to attract woodpeckers. They will eat huskless sunflower seeds, but have difficulty perching on this feeder... they will, though, cling to the feeder and attempt to eat the feed that way...