Rinse seed and soak, overnight or up to 24 hours, in a solution of 1 teaspoon Vanodine 18 mixed into 1 gallon of water. Do not add Vanodine before putting water into container. After 24 hours or overnight, pour off sollution and rinse well. Ready to feed.
NOTE: Do not use seed mixes as a soak. Most mixes contain some form of pellet and colored seed, these will sour rapidly.
POP Bottle funnel and scoop.
Cut off a 2 liter pop bottle about 1/4 of the way from the top to make a funnel. With bottom 3/4 portion, cut out a 1/3 portion of the body of the bottle to where the plastic gets heavier (which forms the bottom of the bottle). Trim and smooth to make a scoop.
The scoop style may be trimmed into the harder plastic (bottom) to about 1 inch above the bottle bottom. Smooth the edges. This makes a good hand protector for checking nest boxes. Use the clear plastic for this and you can see what you are doing without the bird getting you! Works great.
The one gallon milk bottle and any size juice bottle make good food storage containers. Wash the containers and rinse. Add 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach and soak 24 hours. Rinse well and air dry. Use your funnel to fill the container with seed or pellets. These are air tight and the food keeps very well.
Storage buckets
Visit your favorite diner and request some of the food buckets they have. These are the ones in which the condiments and such come. Do not use pickle buckets however - they retain the flavors. Clean and sanitize the buckets well and be sure they are dry before using. These are great for storing larger amounts of bird supplies. The buckets are rodent resistant and can be used in the freezer.
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