From Seed To Feed

We’re all used to going out and buying food for the birds in our gardens – garden centres and major supermarkets now devote a lot of space to it. But where does it all come from? How is bird food produced?

SOME OF THE SEEDS and nuts that make up the various mixes of bird food can travel a very long way (from as far afield as Argentina), which means that the short-term gains for the birds in your garden can be more than offset by longer-term damage to the environment, but many manufacturers are seeking to make their products as environmentally-friendly as possible, starting with the way they’re produced.

As a general rule, avoid the very cheapest bird foods anyway, as they are more likely to include a high proportion of cheap and unsuitable ingredients, such as peas, lentils and even dry dog food, but you should also check to see where the various ingredients come from – the fewer air miles they do on the way to your feeders, the better for the environment in the long run. And many manufacturers are also playing their part in helping birds right the way through the production process.

Ivel Valley, in Bedfordshire, grow their own grains and seeds such as sunflower seeds, maize, red millet, white millet, oats, linseed and wheat, alongside potatoes, onions, and shallots.