Sunflower heart problems?

Lincs Yellowbelly · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:44 AM

I've recently put up a Sunflower heart feeder, but have been experiencing a problem with it

The problem is that the sunflower hearts seem to get lodged in place in the feeder, not dropping down as the birds feed from it, meaning that I have to shake them down a couple of times throughout the day.

Does anybody else have the problem? maybe it's just the feeder i'm using, which is a cheaper plastic Bill Oddie one

Thanks

Susie · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:59 AM

I get the same problem. I have wooden feeders with a flat perspex back and front which provide a gap at the bottom to allow the feed to be eaten. With both sunflower hearts and peanuts there is a problem with the food getting jammed; a quick tap on the feeder is generally enough to get it shifted.

I think it has something to do with a little bit of condensation building up inside the feeders which makes the feed less likely to flow well, but I don't know a cure for it. At least you aren't the only one.

I don't seem to have this problem with the niger feeders, although it could be because the goldfinches seem to finish it off the same day it is put out.

m1.carson · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 09:05 AM

Hi,

If you've got one shaped like Bill Oddie it's no wonder the seeds stick,

, our niger feeder sticks as well, possibly the seeds being smaller, damp holds them together, not enough weight to unstick themselves.

Max.

smartie · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 09:09 AM

I get that problem too with one of my feeders - I think Susie is right that it is caused by damp. When I clean it I rub the edges of the little slots with wire wool to clear any debris, and that helps for a little while, but it always clogs up again. I find the feeders that have perches and holes for the birds to put their heads in to get the seed out (my powers of description are awesome, aren't they

) are a better bet.

Lincs Yellowbelly · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure it is from the damp myself as I did it from day one

At first I thought it could be static holding them up, now I think it's possibly the design of the feeder not being a large enough diameter. Does anybody not have these problems? and if so what feeder do you use?

Pigeon feather · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 09:29 AM

I have had these problems in the past but as smartie suggested the feeders with the perches and little ports for the birds to put their head in and get the food seems to be better. At the moment I have one filled with black sunflowers and that never gets clogged although sunflower hearts may be more sticky and not as heavy so may be more likely to get stuck.

tufftie · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 02:59 PM

I've just switched from black sunflower seeds to hearts and they're now sticking for the first time - so guess it's something to do with hearts.

Lincs Yellowbelly · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 04:17 PM

Oh well, seems like it's common for it to happen. I guess I'll just have to keep shaking the feeder to free them up a bit

well worth it though, as now a week after putting it up we have Greenfinch regularly coming through the day(up to 4 at a time) and we never had them before

Roxy · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 07:03 PM

I've just experienced this problem with my new seed feeder. It's a blue plastic and ceramic one recommended by the bird orthnilogy society (or something like that

) I have sunflower seeds in there and they were sticking on one side but funnily enough not the other. Anyway I go out and shake it after dark when the birdies are sleeping. I too have just had a greenfinch turning up recently. It arrived about the time the sunflower seeds went up

It just sits there and eats and poops

I love watching the blue tits. They duck in and get a seed and then jump around with it in their beaks for a bit before settling on a branch and holding it between their feet and breaking it open.

Lincs Yellowbelly · #10 (**permalink**) 16-12-2007, 10:17 AM

The problem doesn't seem as bad now, maybe it was to do with the feeder being new

Can totally recommend anybody getting a sunflower heart feeders. In 2/3 weeks we've gone from having just 3/4 Goldfinch in the front garden to having up to 10 Goldfinch, 4-5 Greenfinch, 2 Blue Tit just this morning (although one is regular), a Male Chaffinch this morning and the odd Great Tit

Also I have a tray fixed to the bottom to catch the husk and stray seed, the birds really like this and often feed from this rather than the feeder itself