How do I keep wild bird food fresh and safe?
Store the seed in rodent-resistant, airtight bins in a cool, dry place. Don't buy more than birds will eat in two to six weeks. At the feeder, you can keep food dry by not overfilling it and using rain guards or quick-draining setups, and clean feeders every week or two. Throw out any seed that is wet, clumped, musty, rancid smelling, or sprouting, or that has insects or webs.
What is the best bird food for winter feeding?
Offering high-energy foods like oil-rich sunflower seed, peanuts, and suet will help birds keep up their body heat in winter. Hulled or cracked seeds and no-mess blends let birds eat faster and save energy when daylight is short. You can boost calories when natural food is hard to find by adding mixes with nuts and dried fruit.