Most folks use black oil sunflower seed and nyjer seed. The ones containing millet and corn tend to attract HOSPs. The HOSP will eat the "good" stuff sometimes, but at least it's not their favorite.

Hey deanie! I can only answer for myself and give my opinion. I agree with Kendra. I think that the less you spend for seed mixes, the more millet, corn, and milo you get in the mixes. So, "cheap" seed is the seed with tons of that stuff which draws in the undesirables. I only feed Black Oil Sunflower, Thistle(Nyjer),Suet,Peanuts,Sunflower Hearts/Chips, and dried cherries and raisins. Look for seed mixes that contain NO millet, corn, or milo. There are loads of great options, even at Walmart. Every single time I have tried any mix containing any millet, here come the flocks of undesirable birds. That is just my experience. Some people may not have that problem. HTH.~~Angie

Yep, don't buy that junk! I buy bags of BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower), sunflower hearts and peanuts and then mix them up myself to put out. I sometimes get nyjer in the summer for the finches too but they eat BOSS and sunflower hearts just as well. I must say I saw a great decrease in the number of Cowbirds we get when we switched from the cheaper seed mixes. It has been years since I switched and we don't get many cowbirds around here at all.

Donna

Thanks so much guys! No cheap stuff for me! Now I'm going out to the garage and read the ingredients on my bags.

I agree with kendra and bandjzmom. I only feed black oil sunflower, nyjer, suet, peanuts, and sunflower hearts/chips. The tractor supply stores or even sometimes hardware stores offer these types of seed in large quantities at lower prices.

Yes, kris is right deanie. I buy 40lb bags of Black Oil Sunflower seed at my local Tractor Supply for $15.99. That will last me awhile. Then, if you want to buy a smaller bag of more premium seed which contains lots of fruits and nuts, you can mix it into your large bag of plain BOSS, making your own custom mix. I love Tractor Supply, and they have lots of great birding buys there, including those pretty and durable Stokes brand feeeders that I adore.~~Angie

Although troubling times have occurred and I haven't fed seed in a while, like the others I feed the Black Oil Sunflower and nyger seed.

I quit with mixes ages ago. Unfortunately, two or three of my neighbors seem to love it and draw HOSP, blackbirds, and hawks in with it. Angering but I've made good choices I guess I can't inform everyone. Some people just don't believe or understand the bluebird hobby. There's a lot to it - but it's real and it's a great experience and very rewarding.