Why You Should Try Adding Chia Seeds To Your Bird Feeders

You've likely heard about chia seeds. Even if you haven't had them as part of a salad, smoothie, or yogurt topping, the famous Chia Pet has left many people singing about them since they were little. Chia plants (Salvia hispanica) are part of the mint family, and they are native to Mexico and Guatemala, though many countries are now growing this popular crop.

Chia seeds serve another purpose. In addition to being cute little plant pets, or food for people, they also work as supplements for certain wild animals. If you're looking to attract all sorts of birds to your yard, adding some chia seeds to your premade bird blend or creating the base for your own mixture is the perfect way to entice all sorts of different, colorful species. 

If you haven't ever thought about giving food to birds in your backyard before, don't worry — you don't have to run out and find a feeder. You likely own several items to make your own platform at home. Instead of throwing out your next soup can, transform it into a stunning bird feeder. Or, get these animals flocking to your yard with an egg carton hack. When you use these homemade bird feeders alongside chia seeds, you'll be amazed by how many different birds end up in your backyard.

Unlike some other bird food, like pumpkin seeds, you don't have to do anything to prepare chia seeds before you set them out. They're best served raw, mixed in with other nuts and seeds. They also work when included in a suet cake. 

Finches, chickadees, grosbeaks, towhees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers all enjoy chia seeds and will flock to your garden if you include them in your birdseed mix. It's an especially great option if you want to entice smaller birds to visit your yard. Some foods, like striped sunflower seeds, are too large and hard for these species, and they won't visit as often if this is all you provide. By mixing in some chia seeds, you have food for birds of all different sizes. 

If you add chia seeds to a homemade suet, you can also attract jays and starlings. There are two common birds you never want to see at your bird feeder, though: the common grackle and red-winged blackbird. Luckily, offering them a suet cake in another area of your property is a good way to keep them from disturbing other birds at your feeders. 

For humans, chia seeds are often considered a superfood. They're full of several beneficial nutrients including fiber, protein, manganese, and antioxidants. These nutrients are also what makes them such a great additive for birds. 

You don't have to include them in your feeder throughout the year. Because they're filling and full of fatty acids, the best time to add them is during winter and breeding seasons when birds would benefit from a few extra calories and fat. Even your pet birds will benefit from getting a little sprinkle of this powerful seed in their meals on occasion. 

There's really no harm in adding chia seeds to your mix. Pet birds would face the most danger, as they don't get enough exercise to make use of all the fat and calories this food provides. However, wild species get a fun new texture to try that also helps support their bones, heart health, and digestion. Chia seeds are also small enough for birds of any size to eat them without any fear of choking. The only thing you have to worry about is making sure they haven't gone bad before you serve them to wild birds. If they taste rancid (as opposed to slightly nutty), smell like chemicals, or have signs of mold or bugs, toss them out.