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Storing Bird Seed


Birds know the difference between fresh seed and older, stale seed! If you’re having trouble attracting birds, the freshness of your seed could be the reason. Fresh seed has a higher oil content and is much more nutritious for the birds.

How long can you keep bird seed? That depends on how you store it. Under optimal conditions, Nyjer seed (thistle seed) can be kept for up to three months and other bird seed such as black oil sunflower seeds can be kept up to six months. However, it’s better to buy smaller quantities at a time and buy it more often than to attempt to store very large amounts.

Ideally, you want to keep your bird seed in a cool, dry place and out of sunlight. Keeping the seed cool prevents webs and flour moths and keeping it dry prevents mold from forming. And keeping the seed out of sunlight ensures that the nutritious oils don’t dry out. One excellent way to store bird seed is to leave it in the original plastic bag and put it in the freezer. Suet foods such as cakes or suet pellets also need to be kept cool and dry. If stored in the freezer, suet foods can last up to a year.

If you’re not able to freeze your bird seed or suet, consider purchasing a storage container such as that meant for pet food. These types of containers generally hold about 25 lbs. of seed and some are stackable. You can also use a plastic trash bin but get one with a locking lid to keep out unwanted guests. Put the container in the coolest, darkest part of the house. The container will keep out moisture from the air and also keep out light. If you want to store different seeds in the same container, just leave them in the original plastic bags. Or you can pour the seed directly into the container.

Taking just a few extra steps when storing bird seed and suet will extend the shelf life of the food and also attract more birds!

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