Buying Safflower seed

sue_va

16 years ago

I'm trying to encourage the Cardinals, and I have seen some, but SS is so expensive.

Anybody know a good source at a good price? I paid $2 a pound.

TIA

Sue

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Comments (4)

joan_mn
16 years ago
Our cardinals love Black Oil Sunflower seeds, both here in Minnesota and in Florida.
Seeds are usually cheaper in bulk, especially if you are fortunate enough to live by a feed store.
lydia1959
16 years ago
I used to buy safflower at a feed store like Joan suggested. I haven't bought any for a long time, but I know it was cheaper there. I just make suet for the birds now... the Cardinals like that too.
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Odd that you bring this up. I use Safflower Feeders and the HOSP do not go near the stuff but your YMMV. With Safflower I attract Cardinals, Titmouse, Chickadees and House Finches. I have heard others say that HOSP eat Safflower. While the HOSP do not touch the safflower here, they do go after the Thistle Seed. I had to cut down the perches on my Nyjer feeders to 5/8" so they cannot perch on them. Here are some other options: There is a feeder called the Clingers Only Birdfeeder. Mine is red, but they also have yellow and green. I feed BOSS in this and have had great success. Another option is a wire peanut feeder. I have never had a HOSP on one, but I do attract Woodpeckers, Titmouse, Chickadees, Nuthatches, etc. I also feed suet in a log that has holes in it. It hangs from my Bird Station. Only clingers can use this, unlike the suet cage. Good luck :)
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sue_va
Original Author
16 years ago
I buy black oil sunflower in bulk. The cardinals do eat it, but the grackles are eating most of it. They wont eat safflower so I'm buying that for the cardinals.

We had a feed store here at one time but it merged with the one in the next town.

I'm thinking about not buying any more BOSF and just feed safflower. The small birds all like it so they won't go hungry. Would like to find a better price though.

Had a fledgling cardinal on the deck earlier today. Mama and Daddy both were watching out for it. Then came a strong wind and thundershower. Hope it is okay.

Sue
joan_mn
16 years ago
Yes, we do have a lot of grackles and red-winged blackbirds gobbling up the BOSS.

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Buying Safflower seed

Comments (4)

joan_mn

lydia1959

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Buying Safflower seed

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