Bird seed food plot test

[Western]

I decided to try a random bag of bird seed from my local feed store. I figured I post it as it goes along, so we can see what happens.

1st photo : I used my small food plot that has great growth with the Oats, as you can see the deer have kept it down to less that 2-3". Matter of fact, had a yearling doe we call Louise (from a pair we named "Thelma and Louise") come to the edge to investigate. I usually throw out a coffee can of corn when I go out.

Seed had Brown Millet, White Millet,Sunflower and Milo, I could have added something else like beans, but it was what I had on hand.

2nd photo: After a light discing and broadcasting the seed. I have to pay attention to the furrows and drag marks when finished, as you may be able to tell, my land has a good slope, so I have to remember that. I also leave a 10' space here and there to help control erosion.

3rd photo: After running my home made drag over it to cover the seed and smooth the plot. I will get a photo of my "DIY" drag if anyone wants to see how simple it is. for this small tractor I use 5 tires wired together, last a LONG time, I can hit a tree cutting close and they bounce off, If some one "steals" it not big lose and in "floats" great on the soil. I have used fence panels, pipe and this works the best, should work great behind a 4 wheeler too.

All planted, we will see what happens if we don't have a drought like last years.

 

[thatguy]

im more than a little confused... Are you attempting to grow Birds?

I hate to break it to you.. they dont like being covered with dirt, it makes it hard to fly later on LOL

Brian

 

[Rford]

I'd like a picture of that drag...there are about a half dozen old rims and tires on the farm I have and I've thought about using them in this fashion....

But bottom line, is that bird seed working out? I've thought about doing the same thing...

 

[pjbci]

I planted 8 acres of mixed birdseed last year, just to see what it would do. It grew wonderfully. The different plants matured @ different times and it had plenty of deer and birds eating in it until fall. It works. FYI I planted one 40lb bag per acre.

 

[Bud Soda]

Well I planted 22 ac of alfalfa cubes and not a one ever came up

 

[Taylortractornut]

Bird seed is what we put on our slopes at the landfill mixed with a few types of winter grass and summer grass for seasonal coverage. We have a ton of deer out there to.

 

[Western]

I'd like a picture of that drag...there are about a half dozen old rims and tires on the farm I have and I've thought about using them in this fashion....

But bottom line, is that bird seed working out? I've thought about doing the same thing...

I will get a photo tomorrow, nothing special, but works fantastic. Easy to add extra tires for more weight/coverage and doesn't pull a mound of dirt.

I planted 8 acres of mixed birdseed last year, just to see what it would do. It grew wonderfully. The different plants matured @ different times and it had plenty of deer and birds eating in it until fall. It works. FYI I planted one 40lb bag per acre.

I have planted it before, and it did great, at the time though I had horses, so between them and the deer, lost the sunflowers pretty fast.

I know in the fall after I shred it, you cant hardly run the dove off

 

[Western]

Here is the photo of the tires, crude, but works fantastic. I hook it to my draw bar, the set of 2 tires closest to the rear of the tractor.

If we get the rain their predicting, I may loose allot of seed, we'll see.

 

[pacerron]

If we get the rain their predicting, I may loose allot of seed, we'll see.

Might get a fresh batch of mosquitoes in the tires though

Remember the days when they used to give you a few bucks for old tires to make retreads. Later they would take them free to grind up for pavement mix.
Later they wouldn't take them at all. And now, at least around here, the law requires them to take them and charge you $12.50 per set for disposal.
Must be the meaning of progress..

 

[grnspot110]

My only problem with using bird seed is the high Millet content of most seed mixes. We have to much Wild Millet already! ~~ grnspot