Birds and squirrels do not need first quality nuts like humans do. Seconds
are fine for them. When purchasing nuts in the 40 or 50 pound bags (size
depends on the type of nut) with seconds you can save 50% or more off the
price of firsts. At least this has been my experience.

Many birds and squirrels will eat cracked corn as well as peanuts,
sunflowers, and filberts. Cracked corn is much less expensive than any of
the nuts.

Many garden stores as well as feed and grain stores carry nuts and grains
for birds. Also many cities now have birding stores that carry nuts and
grains. Some birding stores will allow you to pre-purchase and they will
"store" the bags for you till you need them.

I have been very happy with the local Wild Birds Unlimited franchise:

http://wbu.know-where.com/wbu/region/WA.html

http://wbu.know-where.com/wbu/region/OR.html

While the Steller jays and Band-Tailed pigeons are perfectly willing to go
to the hanging feeders the ground feeders (including squirrels) in our yard
appear to be quite happy with the following mix:

8 parts cracked corn
6 parts millet
4 parts black oil sunflower
2 to 4 parts peanut (more when cold out)

Bruce McKenzie
Kenmore, WA USA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Susi and Dale" <susidale at susidale.com>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2001 18:02
Subject: Nuts and such


> I'm coming out of lurking to ask a question. I've been putting out
peanuts
> for the Jays and squirrels in an effort to keep them out of the other
> feeders, or at least slow them down, as they are making it harder for the
> little guys to get access to the sunflower seeds. This strategy works,
but
> ....... I'm spending much more on the jays and squirrels than the birds
I'm
> trying to attract. So the question is, do any of you know of a source of
> cheap raw peanuts or other suitable squirrel and jay food? The best I've
> found so far is a 5 pound bag of roasted, unsalted peanuts at Costco for
> 4.99.
>
> Any hints, either on or off list will be appreciated. But I don't want to
> stop feeding the squirrels and jays, as I enjoy their antics, I just want
to
> find a cheaper way of feeding them. (Don't get me started on the raccoon
> though!)
>
> Dale Christensen
> The woods near Olympia, WA
> susidale at susidale.com
>