As dedicated bird lovers, having leftover bird seed may seem impossible. The moment we fill our feeders, flocks flock to feast! However, there are times when we inevitably end up with extra unused seed on hand, whether it’s gone stale, become unappealing to birds, or simply more than our yard birds can gobble up.
Rather than tossing perfectly usable leftover seed in the trash, there are creative ways to repurpose and use up what remains. In this article, we’ll explore 5 smart ideas for using up leftover bird seed around the home and garden. With a little ingenuity, we can reduce waste while getting the most from the seed we lovingly provide to nourish our feathered friends.
5 Things To Do With Leftover Bird Seed
1. Upcycle it into Crafts and DIY Projects
One fun way to use leftover bird seed is transforming it into crafty decorative objects to adorn our homes and yards. The small size and neutral colors of most bird seeds make them ideal for crafting. Here are some creative ways to use them:
- Make bird seed mosaics by gluing seeds in artful designs onto wood, ceramics, or canvases. Colorful mixes create beautiful natural pixel art.
- Adhere seeds to the outside of clay flower pots, vases, or tea light candles with decoupage medium or glue for texture.
- Layer clear glass candle holders or vases with seed to make pretty accented decor pieces for shelves.
- Coat pine cones with glue then roll them in seeds for rustic embellished décor.
- Create bird seed wreaths for the home or as gifts by gluing seeds in patterns onto wire wreath forms.
- Mix seeds into paint or sealer for a speckled seed-textured wall or furniture finish.
Upcycling leftover bird seed into home décor lets you repurpose it into beautiful and unique handmade pieces to enjoy.
2. Use it in Your Gardening and Composting
For the gardeners out there, bird seed can also find new life as additions to garden beds and compost piles. Here are some productive uses:
- Sprinkle seed in vegetable and flower gardens as a natural fertilizer. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium benefits plants.
- Mix into compost piles. Seeds break down into nutritious compost over time, providing fuel for beneficial microorganisms.
- Add to potting soil as a nutrient amendment when re-potting houseplants or starting seedlings.
- Top dress seed onto the soil surrounding plants. As seeds decompose they slowly release nutrients to roots.
- Scatter seed on garden beds in fall to help build and insulate the soil. The seeds break down over winter.
- Use empty hulls as decorative mulch, helping retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Integrating leftover bird seed into gardens and compost gives it an eco-friendly second life nourishing your plants.
3. Offer it to Wild Birds in Feeders or Scattered
An obvious use for extra bird seed is continuing to feed wild birds! Supplementing feeders is especially helpful in winter when natural food is scarce. Here are suggestions:
- Set up additional ground feeding areas away from regular feeders to provide alternate sites. Sprinkle seed on platform feeders, large flat rocks, or even directly on the ground.
- Offer a variety of specialized feeders like suet cages, nut feeders, or fruit feeders to change up the menu.
-Scatter some seed under dense bushes and shrubs to encourage shy ground feeding species to participate.
- Place tray feeders or low platform feeders out in the open to attract birds that avoid tube feeders.
- Utilize mesh nets, cages, or other deterrents to restrict access for bully birds or squirrels so everyone gets a chance to eat.
Providing diverse feeding options prevents your leftover seed from going to waste and supports a wider variety of wild bird species.
4. Donate Unused Seed to Wildlife Rehabilitators
If you don’t have use for leftover bird seed, consider donating it to wildlife rehabilitators that care for injured and orphaned wild birds. Rehab facilities go through huge amounts of seed hand-feeding baby songbirds and giving adult patients proper nutrition. Call local rehabbers to see if they accept donated seeds. Be sure to only donate seeds free of mold, bugs, hulls, and debris. Properly stored, unadulterated seeds support wildlife conservation efforts.
5. Reuse as Pet Food or Livestock Feed
Some leftover bird seeds, like nutrient-packed sunflower seeds, make suitable additions to pet or farm animal diets. Always check first to ensure seeds are safe for the specific species. Here are some options:
- Add black oil sunflower seeds to livestock feed as a supplemental protein and fat source. Oily seeds offer healthy calories. Introduce slowly.
- Sprinkle sunflower seeds, lentils, barley or millet into chicken feed. Chickens enjoy pecking treats.
- Mix small amounts of appropriate seeds into rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, or gerbil food for variety. Check safety first.
- Add a few sunflower or safflower seeds to parrot and other large bird pets’ regular diet as foraging enrichment.
Repurposing bird seed as animal food prevents waste and takes advantage of its nutritional value. Just be sure to research safety!
How do you know if bird seed is bad?
There are a few telltale signs that indicate your leftover bird seed has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Mold growth – Any fuzzy mold spots or mycelium growing on the seed mean it has become contaminated and unsafe.
- Foul odor – Seeds that smell rotten, musty, or ammonia-like have likely begun decomposing and should not be used.
- Insect infestation – Presence of bugs, weevils, or larva amongst the seed indicates spoilage. Discard any infested seeds.
- Rancid oil – With oily seeds like sunflower, if they smell unpleasantly rancid they’ve oxidized and gone off.
- Germination – Seeds beginning to sprout or split open have gotten too damp and started growing. Consumption could be harmful once germination begins.
- Soft texture – Very softened or mushy seeds have lost structural integrity, meaning they’re decomposing.
Regularly inspect stored bird seed for any signs it has been contaminated or gone bad before use. When in doubt, throw it out!
Can I cook and eat bird seed?
Some people consider cooking and eating readily edible bird seeds like raw sunflower or pumpkin seeds. However, bird seed is not optimized, processed, or regulated for human consumption. Eating seeds meant for birds poses potential risks:
- Pesticides – Bird seed is not held to the same stringent washing and processing standards as human-grade seeds. It may contain traces of harmful pesticides.
- Bacteria – Bird digestive systems and feeders harbor bacteria like salmonella that could make people sick.
- Anti-caking agents – Seed coatings like mineral oil are unpleasant and unhealthy to ingest.
- Choking hazards – Some seeds with shells or hulls can pose choking risks if accidentally swallowed.
- Rancidity – Bird seeds go rancid much quicker than properly stored human cooking seeds.
While it’s technically possible to cook and eat very fresh, untreated bird seeds, doing so is not recommended. Seek out certified food-grade seeds and nuts for cooking instead if aiming to eat seeds.
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Conclusion
Before throwing out leftover bird seed, consider alternate uses that prevent waste and creatively repurpose it. Scatter it as supplemental bird or wildlife food, incorporate it into craft projects, use it to enrich gardens and compost, or explore safe animal feed options. With a little creativity, excess bird food can find helpful second uses, enriching your home and community. Sustainably using what we already have demonstrates commitment to both caring for nature and reducing consumption.