Feeding Birds Healthy Corn Feed
As students return to schools in August, birds also return to feeders. When the summer months begin to fade to fall, the importance of being careful when choosing a corn feed for your backyard birds cannot be stressed enough. When it comes to corn, there are definite bird feeding do’s and don’ts, but there is no need to be discouraged. The early birds might get the worm, but the healthy birds can still have the corn!
Some corn feed is for the birds, and not in a good way!
Starting off with the don’ts can sometimes seem disheartening, but many corn options just won’t work for your flying friends. If you intend to feed the birds this season, it is important that you know what corn options are not safe for backyard birds before you purchase corn feed or mixed seed. wild-bird-food-corn-feed-bird-feeder-Hope-Indiana
Don’t disregard different corn sizes
Cracked corn comes in different sizes, but medium-sized is the best option for any backyard birds. Coarse cracked corn can be too large for some bird species, while fine cracked corn is too small and cannot hold up to the day’s weather.
Don’t ignore aflatoxins
– Never allowing your corn feed to get wet
– Raking uneaten corn often
– Only supplying one day’s worth of corn on days with high humidity or rain
– Never offering corn in closed or tube feeders that could become moist
These protective measures should keep corn feed safe and edible for the birds you feed.
Don’t buy corn with red dye.
Heed this warning: red dye on corn signifies fungicides! The use of fungicides on corn may help it grow, but these chemicals make it toxic to birds, livestock, and even humans. Never buy corn with red dye, in order to keep the birds you feed safe and healthy.
We don’t mean to be corny, but…
We definitely aren’t bird-brained when it comes to knowing about the do’s of corn feed, either. Here’s what you need to know:
– Cracked and whole kernel corn are the safest, healthiest, most affordable options for your backyard birds.
– Blackbirds, blue jays, mourning doves, juncos, and sparrows like corn.
– A warning: Squirrels are also a fan of corn feed!
Buying the best type of corn (and knowing what to avoid) can make a big difference in the lives of your backyard birds! At Daily’s Family Farm in Columbus, IN, we know the biggest bird feeding do’s and don’ts and we have the all the corn feed you need!