What to feed

It is vital for birds to have plenty of energy rich foods, because despite being extremely active they carry little or no fat reserves.

Vine House Farm Bird Foods has used garden research to produce feeds which are ideal for nourishing wild birds. Cheap fillers used in many mixes have been eliminated to ensure optimum quality. The feeds we supply can be split in two categories:

SEED MIXES

Our seed mixes are an ideal quick and easy method of providing maximum nourishment from a single bag. Our seed mixes are all based on either the oil rich black sunflowers or sunflower hearts, which are the black sunflower without the husk. We have split our mixes here at Vine House Farm into three categories. Mixed Seeds- our basic mixes which are based on the nutritious black sunflower. Premium mixes are the same mixes but with sunflower hearts replacing the black sunflowers, making these mixes a less mess alternative. Our Ultimate mixes range are mixes based on sunflower hearts and sunflower heart chips (broken sunflower hearts) and also contain a high proportion of peanut granules. These mixes should not grow when spilt or dropped on the ground. For more information on each mix visit our seed mixes page.

INDIVIDUAL FOODS

Once you have observed the species in your garden, you may wish to alter their feed according to their preferences. Individual seeds can either be chosen to produce your own mix, or used in addition to our standard mixes, for example by also feeding niger, sunflower hearts or raisins.

Of greatest importance is the basis of your feeding regime on black sunflower seed or sunflower hearts. Due to its nutritional composition it is fast replacing the peanut as the most versatile wild bird food.

Black sunflower seeds and sunflower hearts are preferred by more bird species than any other seed. For more information visit our straight seeds page

FAT PRODUCTS

Our range of fat products are in demand all year round but are especially beneficial in the winter and during the breeding seasons when garden birds are at their most vulnerable. Feeding fat provides essential high energy proteins. You can feed a number of different fat products including fat balls, suet blocks and suet pellets. For more information about fat products visit our fat page

LIVE FOODS

Insects are an unbeatable source of protein, fat and moisture. Live food is especially valuable during the breeding season when fledglings rely on moist live food. Mealworms are a real favorite of many species including Robins, Blackbirds and Sparrows. For more information about live food visit our live food and feeders page.