We love our birds...and our crazy squirrels...and our old, grey-haired bunny...but, birdseed and corn is getting expensive. They eat like little piggies! Does anyone have any alternative food ideas for backyard wildlife?

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~Jessica

A Classroom of One's Own

I have never tried these myself, and I don't know how frugal they may be but here are some recipes for homemade birdfood....

Bird Food recipes

More recipes 1/2 way down the page.

also - not sure where you are - but remember to check any local seed or farm stores that may be nearby. Usually they have larger amounts for less money since they sell in bulk, or to farms. Even though WalMart & Target are inexpensive, a good farm store will still be cheaper - you tend to just get more of it.

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I throw the crusts of bread out for them, buns etc would work. Popped popcorn if there's any leftover after movie night. Find a farmer if you are in a rural area and they may let you pick some corn in the fall so that you have less to buy. (Or grow some in your garden?? Should be field corn rather than sweet corn, though.)

I buy only thistle seed. We made socks out of my dh old highschool football jerseys. Fill them and hang them up.. They sell them at birdfood stores.

We also let families walk in our fields after harvest to pick up any ears the combine left behind. They usually get a grocery bag full. Everything helps...