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Talkback: Can I stop bird seed germinating?

kathryn ostkathryn ost Posts: 9
in Talkback
Run your chickens under the feeders.
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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    I'd love to have chickens in my garden, but we have at least one family of foxes living on our land.

    Devon.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546

    My chickens and ducks run to sit under the feeders. It means no seeds germinate but doesn't do anything to improve the area!

  • cornellycornelly Posts: 970

    I have laid paviors under the feeders, as I encourage ground feeders such as blackbirds, collared doves even chaffinches prefer to ground feed.

  • cornellycornelly Posts: 970

    We seem to have a regular three or four chaffinches, I do Garden Birdwatch for BTO, so monitor daily, bird numbers, 

  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066

    I have a large steel well cover under the feeders but I do still get seedlings appearing in the surrounding gravel.  I just treat it as one of the penalties I pay for having loads of birds in the garden eating all the bugs.

    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,065

    I read that microwaving the bird seed for a minute would nuke it enough to stop germinating.  Did it for a while but it's a lot of faff so now we have a huge bluestone slab under the bird feeders and just weed its edges when the weeds get big enough.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I'm the same Yvie - I don't mind a few weed seedlings that are easily pulled out. Using a good quality seed mix makes a big difference to the amount of crud that gets chucked on the ground. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    I use the high energy, no mess bird seed as my feeders are above brick paving. I only have to pull out the very odd weed. Money well spent for me even if it is about twice the price.
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    Jo47. I get my seed and nuts from the reallywildbirdfood company they grow the seed as well and really a good priceimage
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    I am trialling some cheaper no mess seed from Garden Wildlife Direct. Seems good so far and seed only - not full of meal like some are.
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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