Can I use ordinary small bird seeds in this feeder?
1017765
Yes you can use small bird feed with this feeder. I use thistle in mine and it will take other very small bird seed. the comment about upside bird feeders for finches is wrong. They are the only birds that can feed upside down. It keeps many other small birds out of you finch feeder. Finches love this bird feeder. Some years they stay away for extended time no known reason but be patient they will return.
1017766
I don't think so. The slits are very small, just enough room for a thistle or two to be taken at a time. Be aware this is an upside down feeder for goldfinches only. I have found it to be a waste of money as I have only had one or two visits occasionally. They just have not taken to it.
1017767
You could try, but, as previously stated, there might be issues with some seeds too small and others too large.
1017768
I would say no because of the shape of the holes. My belief is that the holes were designed to accomadate the shape of the nyger seed. Nryan
1017769
I think you could but the feeding holes are very small slits designed for thistle,which looks like tiny sunflower seeds. I think standard bird feed will have some seeds that will not fit through the openings and some will probably pour through.
1421959
I would say yes, keeping in mind that some bird seed mixes have sun flower seeds, this could be a problem distributing the mix evenly.
2267460
It takes the birds a few days to figure out how to fly into the feeder. I put sunflower seeds and millet in mine. I also add a mix every once in a while. I get lots of birds.
261537
I think only thistle seed(nyjer) or a seed that small would work in this squirrel buster finch feeder because the feed hole is so very small. Larger seeds like sunflower would not-the birds could not access larger seeds.The classic squirrel buster feeder works well for black sunflower seed(I have one of those also, rate it 5 stars).
1954129
no, the openings are too big. does great with sunflower seed. allows the bird to pull one seed at a time.
462241
Quite frankly I do not know. I have used my feeder for 2 months. Using regular bird seed, I had many birds but many squirrels also.I could not move the feeder (so the squirrels have no access) but I can't as it provides entertainment for my handicapped wife.I switched to safflower seed and now there are no squirrels but lots of birds: wrens, sparrows, cardinals, tufted titmouse, chickadees,nuthatches and finches plus some I cannot identify.
1831351
Feeder isn't small. The way they're built, you'll still have a mess. Feeders are built with the birds in mind not for tidiness.
1731475
if the peanuts have split in half, it's possible. there is not much clearance between the cylinder that holds the seed and the base of the feeder where the birds perch and eat. i'd say it's maybe 1/3" gap between the cylinder and the base, so a peanut might be too large to fit that gap. plus, if it's a lot of peanut in the mix, it could create a dam/log-jam at the base of the cylinder. it works great with my "no waste" seed mix, but these seeds are all very small.
1433176
Yes. I use mine with wild bird mix containing millet, black oil sunflower seeds and several other seeds sized between these two. Works great.
1040419
I have these hanging on my house as well as on a pole, they are cute and draw the birds nicely. I have used sunflower, safflower and plain wild bird seed in these little feeding balls and all three work fine...I imagine if you hang them and just put wild bird seed mix in it you will see an assortment of birds visiting...good luck!:)
418955
I just buy regular bird seed and fill it in the top...I also put electrical tape around the bottom as the first time I filled it came loose and I lost all the feed on the ground and that really helped it and the squirrels haven't bother it since.. I really like the feeder
1676442
You certainly could but the holes are so large, I think you'd go through seed too fast for my budget. I try to encourage the birds to clean up the ground after themselves but that hasn't always worked.
331468
I only use black oil sunflower seeds in them, so yes. :) The only thing a majority of my birds seem to like.
1502107
As has been mentioned, thistle seeds could be put in this feeder, but they are for feeding gold finches and not all other birds. The thistle seeds are small, and work much better in a regular thistle feeder that is designed for the finches to hang upside down to feed. This feeder is great for sunflower seeds and the mixed bird seed. Many different birds come to feed at it, and it is very well made - sturdy.
356068
I don't believe caked food would work for this type of feeder. It's meant for seeds.
1048944
I used wild bird seed in this feeder but you could certainly use black oil sunflower seed. It is absolutely one of the best bird feeders I have ever purchased. There is no way a squirrel can get to this feeder. It is easy to fill, easy to clean. Would definitely recommend. One bad thing would be if you purchase a larger version of this -- be aware that it will be heavy, especially when filled.
250319
Well, not sure what you mean by "small", but if you're talking newly-hatched to a few weeks old, we've found this one to work quite well for us over the last couple of years: http://www.amazon.com/Miller-Manufacturing-806RED-1-Quart-Feeder/dp/B001D1KXGQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417563659&sr=8-2&keywords=chick+feeder Hope this helps answer your question! :)