How to Use a Thistle Sack
Thistle sacks attract finches, including the stunning goldfinch species. Thistle sacks, made from nylon or mesh, feature tiny openings in the cloth for the birds to pull out seeds. Thistle sacks measure between 15 to 18 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide and are generally inexpensive.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
How to use a thistle sack
-
1
Purchase a thistle sack made out of a durable fabric, such as nylon or mesh. Thistle sacks come in white or black and can be found at most pet stores, bird supply stores and some drugstores. Be aware that thistle sacks with loose mesh spill seed more easily, which will waste seeds and money. Look for a thistle sack with a weave tight enough to hold seeds in well, but not so tight that the birds will struggle to remove the seeds. If you observe the weave of the thistle sack is too tight, run it through the washing machine to loosen it slightly.
-
2
Purchase bird food specifically meant for finches. This includes thistle seed and finch food (also called Niger or Nyjer food) and can be found at most pet stores or bird supply stores. Note that thistle seed can be very expensive, so it is worthwhile to purchase a high-quality thistle sack with smaller openings so that less seed falls out and is wasted. In addition, Nyjer food spoils when wet, so it is important to keep the sack as dry as possible.
-
-
3
Fill the thistle sack with about a pound of thistle seed or finch food. One advantage of thistle sacks is that they are easy to fill and can hold several pounds of thistle seed or Nyjer seed. Thistle sacks accommodate a large number of birds hanging on it and offers good ventilation through the mesh to keep the seeds dry.
-
4
Hang on a sturdy tree branch or a bird food hook. Another advantage of thistle sacks is that they are easy to hang. Make sure the bag is hung securely to protect it against falling during high winds.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You may wish to begin with only a small amount of seed in your thistle sack until you begin to attract birds and can gauge how much seed you need on a regular basis in the sack.
References
- Photo Credit purple finch image by Ronnie Howard from Fotolia.com
