Can thistle seeds spoil?

How can you tell if thistle seeds are bad?

A niger seed has a shell, even though it's small. If it seems like birds aren’t eating the seeds, then examine the seed more closely. You may see only the thin niger shells. Niger seed can spoil while in the feeder.

You might also wonder if there is a difference in thistle and Nyjer seed. NYJER SEED- OR THISTLESEED FOR FINCHES Nyjer seeds resemble small grains of wild rice. Many finches love Nyjer seed for its high protein and fat content. Nyjer is also known as thistle. This name can sometimes be alarming. Contrary to popular belief, nyjer does not belong to a thistle.

How do you store thistle seed?

Keep seed in a dry and cool place. This is important to keep freshness. Keep it in cool areas of your home, if at all possible. If it is cold, store it outside.

Are birds allowed to eat whole thistle seeds?

Birds don't eat whole seeds. They only eat the ameata. Most of the black you see on the ground is made up of empty shells. People hate to throw away thistle because it tends to be more expensive than other seeds. They don't rotate their food feeders as a result.