Bird seed

Stumpman

Stumpman

New member
Has any one ever tried to use bird seed to plant a food plot? The seeds that fall out of the feeder at home grow well in the flower beds. I just wonder what the germination rate would be. If it’s better then 75% it may be worth it based on the cost of bird seed over the cost of food plot seed.

What do you think?

Bill
 
Its been done before and I'll probably use black oil sunflower seed for a food plot this year. Not sure about the wild bird mix but heck at 15 or so bucks a bag your not out much if it doesn't and thats probably enough to do an acre or so maybe a tad less. Giver er a shot and let us know how it works!!:thumbsup:
 
YES! absolutely for sure.:)
It will all grow like crazy.:thumbsup:
 
I used a combo of black oil sunflower bird seed and a bird seed that had a mixture of sorghum and millet one year. The seed germinated just fine (though I probably went on the heavier side of the suggested seeding rather than the lighter side). Unfortunately weeds were a problem for me so that season and it didn't turn out too good. In a few spots where the plants weren't crowded out by crabgrass and other undesirables the bird seed plants grew just fine and did produce seed.
 
Well I am going down to the farm this weekend. I want to start marking out the new plots. I am thinking about planting the sides of the driveway. I have about 10 feet on each side before you get to the brush and thorns. I have about 1500 feet of drive that would be good for planting. I have some large hay fields that only get cut one time in August. (We sell it for mulching reclaimed land). There are several clumps of shrubs and locust trees. I think I will disk up about 100 feet all the way around them and see how it does.

Bill
 
Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy the ingredients of the bird seed instead of the premixed stuff?
 
That's a good point Moellermd,
I think in the case of black oil sunflowers, go ahead and plant the bird seed, it grows very well and will be cheaper then certified seed.
As far as the millet and stuff, may be just buy the seed by the 50 pounds.:)
 
I will check. We have a few seed suppliers around. I know that the bird seed is a lot cheaper than the food plot seed at the farm store.

Bill
 
Yeah, food plot seed is expensive.
In that case plant the bird seed.
If you have a large enough area buy the seed individually by the 25-50 pound bags. Save the unused until next year or feed the birds.:)
 
mnmthunting said:
Yeah, food plot seed is expensive.
In that case plant the bird seed.
If you have a large enough area buy the seed individually by the 25-50 pound bags. Save the unused until next year or feed the birds.:)
Click to expand...

http://www.qfstore.org/?main_page=product_info&products_id=247

QF food plot mix. sunflowers, millet and sorghum...sounds like the same ingredients you all are talking about. $79 for 3-4 acres!

So anyone price out what similar acreage would get them if they bought this mix individually?
 
Sounds great, except it's $79. for a 25 pound bag.:eek: 25 pounds for 3-4 acres? 25 pounds per acre would be better.
 
Maybe the QF planting suggestion is based on the fact that quail like a lot of bare ground, with an annual canopy of overhead cover. Thinner planting would help accomplish this. Pheasant requirements may be slightly different.
 
Bird seed works great in my pens. I buy a 50lb bag of "dove and quail" mix, its mostly white proso millet, but also has safflower, sunflower, wheat, and milo. It costs $13 per bag and it grows quite well even in my sandy soil. I think it would make a great food plot and if you wanted to up the % of any grain in it just mix in a little extra.:thumbsup:
 
Well I did get to the farm this past weekend. We had to put a starter in one of the old trucks on the way down. I spent the weekend working on the driveways; the winter was tuff on the gravel hills. We did a lot of raking with the tractor. The ground is still to wet to work in most places. I plan on being back down this Friday. Hope it starts to dry up.

Bill
 
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