How to Make Your Own Bird Seed
Recipes for making your own bird seed to entice wild birds to your yard can vary greatly, depending on the types of birds you'd like to attract. Most wild birds enjoy black-oil sunflower seeds, which is the basis for this bird seed recipe. Experiment with your own ingredients to find the right mix for your feathered friends.
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Things You'll Need
- Black-oil sunflower seeds
- Whole oats
- Corn meal
- Dried fruit
- Food processor
- Storage container
Instructions
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1
Place 4 cups of shelled black-oil sunflower seeds into your food processor and grind it for two seconds on a light setting. No need to pulverize the seeds, just break them up for the birds. Black-oil sunflower seeds are high in fat, and wild birds from jays to finches enjoy the taste. Pour the slightly chopped seeds into a storage container.
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2
Pour 2 cups of whole oats in to your food processor and grind them exactly as you did the sunflower seeds. You can use any kind of whole oats, such as rye barley oats or wheat, to provide the grain for this bird seed recipe. Pour the oats in the container with the seeds, seal the container and shake it to mix the seeds and the grains together.
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3
Add 1 cup of corn meal to the storage container, seal and shake it to mix in the corn meal with the seeds and grains. The mixture is a bit powdery, but the birds and the squirrels will appreciate your efforts.
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4
Chop 1 cup of dried fruit into tiny bird size bites. You can use raisins, cranberries, blueberries or apricots. Add the chopped fruit in the storage container, seal it and shake it to blend everything together.
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5
Place some of the bird seed mixture into your bird feeder and watch it disappear.
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Tips & Warnings
Store any bird seed in a cool, dry place in a container that is completely sealed. Rodent-proof metal cans work best for storing bird seed for extended periods.
Always check your bird seed for mold before you place it in your feeder. Mold can appear overnight in bird seed that's been stored for too long or in a moist environment.
