Does this feeder work with mixed bird seed? Or only with black oil sunflower seed?
1450815
Yes, as long as the "food" is larger seeds, corn, etc. Little pieces fall through...but really okay as it just falls in the tray and the birds can eat it from there.
1450816
I have only used the black oil sunflower seeds, so I don't know. The holes are small, but the birds manage to peck them out. The cardinals are now coming and using the rim to perch on. Took a while. Corn wouldn't go through the holes, but other smaller grains would no doubt gather on the rim and be welcoming to the birdies.
1450817
I only use black oil sunflower seed. But my guess for your question is NO, only the black oil seed.I think this one would be too messy with the mixed seed, due to the uniform size of each space in the wire net.
1450818
No. I only use it for black oil sunflower seed. If you use mixed bird seed then the seed will all fall out from the large holes.Several times the squirrels will climb onto the top and tilt it but the sunflower seed will not fall out. Also, it really is squirrel-proof cause the squirrels can only get one seed at a time since the top locks.I love this feeder - it is the best for all birds!
1450819
Some of the smaller seeds will fall through to the tray. Also, need to use small black oil sunflower seeds. The big striped seeds are too big.
1450820
The mesh is designed for sunflower seed with the shell on. Smaller seed will leak out. The birds love the feeder, but our squirrels love it too. You have to place it in an area where squirrels can't access it.
1450821
It works great. A small amount of the mixed seed may spill out as you fill it, but it's a tiny amount, and most of it is caught by the tray.
261535
This feeder has tiny slots that allow the birds to extract the thistle (Nyler) seeds. Any other very tiny seeds would also work. Bigger seeds like the black oil sunflower would require the port-style feeder with a larger access opening. The Brome classic is that style. The manufacturer has an educational website with all the styles based on seed/nut size and bird size. brome bird care dot com.These feeders are on Amazon. They work very well.
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.
331468
I only use black oil sunflower seeds in them, so yes. :) The only thing a majority of my birds seem to like.
940235
Actually, what we use are black oil sunflower seeds. Definitely for Chickadees, one of my wife's favorite birds!
1608843
I am not sure about the sunflower hearts. In that feeder, I just used the Nijer thistle seed. There is a different Brome squirrel-buster feeder where the seeds drop down into a protected tray. This allows me to put in a mixture of seeds that attracts two kinds of finch, titmouse, small woodpeckers, chickadees, wrens, hatches and cardinals. They all feed together quite nicely.
1433173
I use oiled sunflower seed and it works great. For just plain millet - it might roll out, as the openings are fairly large and the seeds are pretty small. It should work for commercial mixed seed. It wouldn't work for nyjer (thistle)seed, as they are way too fine.
1095236
What I would recommend is that you go to straight sunflower seeds, which birds also enjoy, and you won't have the corn mess. Wagner's also sells black sunflower seeds.
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!)
2071114
Yes, black oil sunflower seeds work fine. The birds have no problem getting the seeds through the opening.
1867596
I use black sunflower seeds which most birds eat. Some fall out when you load it up with food but the other birds that eat off the ground feed on those. I buy the food wherever I see a good deal.
839907
Hi Christine, Thanks for your question. In response, yes absolutely, this bird feeder works great for Cardinals & Red Bellied Woodpeckers. Basically, we typically see our customers use black oil sunflower seeds and fill the center portion (called the seed tank). When filled, some seeds stick out, and due to the double cage design, it allows birds to be able to stick their head/beak in between the outer cage holes and get to the seeds without problem. However, Squirrels cannot fit their heads or mouths through the outer holes as its too small and uncomfortable. Hope this helps! Mark ======= Skinny Squirrel Cages
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.
1110863
I do not know...I use black sun flower seeds, and there is waste from the birds picking at it..But I love this feeder because it is almost squirrel proof....It is such a bargain in cost...try it...
940231
Chickadees do come to this feeder-they are good customers, though goldfinches are the primary users. Sunflower seeds would not fit through the holes (haven't tried shelled sunflower seed bits, but I believe that nyger is the only seed for this feeder).
1233522
Peanut pieces will work, full peanuts probably will not. We use a bird seed mix of white stripe sunflower, black oil sunflower, peanut pieces and mullet, which does not jam the feeder. We are on our third feeder of this style. As mentioned in other answers squirrels will try to get to it, keep it well away from trees. Weakest link is the plastic feed tube and the lack of good drainage. It should be emptied and cleaned monthly. We keep one in service and another one cleaned ready to hang. We get a large variety of birds year round.
1078094
This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil seed and thus do no monopolize my feeders. This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil... » Read More This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil seed and thus do no monopolize my feeders. « Show Less