Think I have seen some at Walmart Margaret and of course the bird stores have them.

I got these at the feed store, but they do sell them at Walmart, and they already have seed in them. The birds can empty two of the socks in two days at this time of year, if there are enough of them, and I stuff them full.

@Natalie
Isn't it hard filling those socks? And what happens when it rains on them? Doesn't all the seed get wet & swell & mold? Is there much seed that falls out through the holes?

quietyard said:Until they rip your zinnias to shreds.. I know, I know that only happens to me.

They do seem to like zinnias when I grow them and eat some seeds but don't do much damage.

I think we cross posted, Ann. Figures.

It's easy to fill them because I use a scoop that has a narrow funnel at the bottom, with a little thing that closes the funnel, until I push it to open it. They go through the seed so fast that it has never swelled up or gotten moldy when it is wet.

Did it again, Ann.

Just the norm Natty.

Natalie, what kind of seed do you put in them?

Thistle I'm sure Margaret.

That's what I was thinking.

I don't have any luck getting the Finches to eat Thistle seed from my socks. They used to when I got it from the feed store bulk in plastic milk cartons. But he closed up and now I buy it in the bag from big box stores. But they won't eat it. Do you know what brand your Thistle seed is? My Finches are eating black oil sunflower seeds that I put in the sunflower feeders.

I buy the thistle in a 25 pound bag from the feed store. The brand is Royal Wing. It's a Tractor Supply store, but it's called Del's Farm and Feed. They carry the Tractor Supply stuff though. Not sure if the seed would be more regional or not. It's pretty much the cheapest place I've found it, but it is still expensive. It's usually about $30 a bag, but I always wait until it goes on sale and stock up on a few then. I did find it at another feed store yesterday, and it is just a tiny bit cheaper, at $50 for 40 pounds, but it is only a tiny bit cheaper that way, and I can't remember the brand on that one. I like the 25 pound bags though. They are easier to deal with. And, if I can get them on sale for around $20, it isn't too bad. It's expensive, but not enough to make me stop buying it.

The other thing I buy is a 50 pound bag of white proso millet, for $21, from the other feed store. Yes, I can probably buy cheaper mixed food, but so much of the cheap food just sits there without being eaten. So, I think it is a much better deal to buy what the birds like. I mix it with black oil sunflower seeds, and every last bit is eaten.

Natalie - Love those photos of your finches! I have to tell you that those are some good prices for the seeds you are buying for the birds. It's expensive here, too. Luckily, I don't get as many birds at my feeders as you do!

Thanks Becky! The seed is much cheaper here than it was in Utah. Luckily, the thistle sock there never had as many birds on it. I would have went broke! Funny that none of the birds here will eat out of a regular feeder. The only birds that take a bath are the bluebirds. Country birds don't know what they are missing with fresh water for bathing, and clean, dry seed, from a feeder! I finally took the feeder down, since it never had any seed missing.

@TennesseeDave started an April thread but I don't know if he forgot to tell us or what. Let's keep talking bird seed over there. I think my Grandma feeds her finches the black sunflower seeds Jeanne mentioned. I don't know much about feeding birds but I was at Walmart with her once and we bought some. And she always has finches! As long as the birds are not eating my caterpillars, I'm okay with them. Okay, here's the link to April: The thread "Backyard Birds-April 2015" in Gardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum

@Natalie, Thanks for letting me know about the Thistle seed. We are going to Tractor Supply today so I will look for that brand. I love seeing the Finches so I will do what I have to do to keep them coming. I will ask them about the proso Millet also. I will also get a few new Thistle feeders. I will post next time on the thread: "Backyard Birds April 2015.

If thistle seed is too old or improperly stored it drys out and the birds don't bother with it. We have found buying it at the Ace or Tractor Supply results in fresher and apparently tastier seed. With the big box stores you have no idea how old it is.

Where I live, I doubt anyone ever buys it at Ace, so it's probably ancient. Their prices are way too high for anyone to buy it there.

I just picked up some thistle seed and bird seed from Tractor Supply. We are suppose to have about 3-4 days of rain coming so after it is done raining, I am going to put out the thistle seed and hopefully will get lots of Finches feeding on it. I got the Royal Wing thistle that Natalie suggested. I also get black oil sunflower seeds and some other song bird food. Happy birding.

That's a shame Natalie, our Ace is old but located near a Mallwart, I mean Walmart, so their prices are very competitive. We also have an Agway that has a bird feeder club with decent prices and a discount for members. Since I only shop there on occasion I didn't sign up, but if you request it they give you the discount anyway.