If you offer hulled sunflower hearts or chips to avoid a buildup of discarded shells that will get buried under snowfall and can damage new grass in the spring. In addition to suet cakes, chop suet into chunks or shred it so more birds will sample it. Offer small pieces in dishes or tray feeders to give birds easier access. Peanut butter is a great feeding option as well and can be smeared on bark or offered in small dishes or open trays. Both crunchy and smooth butter will be hit with birds. Offer nyjer in a mesh or sock feeder that can accommodate many birds, but keep it covered with a wide upper baffle to keep the seed dry and minimize mildew. Plant fruit trees and berry bushes for birds and leave the fruit on the bare branches to give birds a natural food source they can rely on in the winter. To make millet more attractive, mix it with black oil sunflower seeds at first. Gradually change the mix proportions until birds are used to straight millet. Salt can kill grass and make it difficult to grow plants, so keep the salt you’re offering the birds well away from gardens and other plantings. To keep birds healthy, only offer salt in minimal amounts. Buy individual types of birdseed in bulk and mix your blends to customize them for your backyard flocks. Keep a supply of your personal blend on hand for conveniently refilling bird feeders.
