Our Bird House is Too Popular

My challenge is that we have so MANY birds coming to the yard now. We want to feed the birds but didn't expect so many hungry birds. We expected to refill the birdseed once a week. At the rate they have been going, we need to refill it every day. We can't afford that much birdseed.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? How do we attract fewer birds or supplement the birdseed with something less expensive?

Thanks!

Tricia from Royal Oak, MI

A: Tricia,

There are a number of things you can do to lower the cost of feeding birds in your backyard. Start by measuring out a specific amount of seed for the feeders each day with the idea that once it's gone, it's gone. Most birds visit a number of feeders in the neighborhood every day. As long as you offer something everyday, they will keep up their daily visits, but a limited amount of seed will also encourage them to develop additional sources of food elsewhere. If you're seeing a lot of waste on the ground, you may be better off switching to tube feeders, each filled with a specific food. For example, cracked corn, black-oil sunflower seeds, safflower and Niger seed (thistle seed) will attract a wide variety of birds native to your area. These foods cost a little more initially, but you'll see much less waste. Buy your food in bulk from a feed store or grain elevator and store it in large plastic bins to keep it dry. You can also purchase lard or fat from a butcher or meat locker rather than buy the expensive suet cakes sold at stores. Save your crumbs, old bread, fruit, berries, non-sugar cereal, etc., to supplement seed. If your birds seem to enjoy these "carbs," check your local bakery. They may sell old, outdated bread very reasonably for pet food (6-8 loaves for $1).

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