Skip to main content

Has your birdseed gone bad? How to tell and how to prevent it

Have you ever gone to refill your bird’s dish and thought there was something not quite right with his seed? Or wondered whether sunflower seeds expire? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Like your own food, birdseed can go bad, and you shouldn’t feed it to your pets after it passes its use-by date. But by following a few simple guidelines, you won’t have to worry about what you give your feathered friend.

Parakeets eat seeds from a stalk
Andreas Lischka/Pixabay.com

What kind of birdseed should I buy?

Bird owners know that not all avians are the same and they eat wildly different foods. Some need more oily seeds, and some prefer mostly non-oily. Therefore, you’ll need to make sure you buy the right kind of seed mix and the correct treats. How long your seed lasts also will vary a bit depending on what you’re getting and even how it’s prepped. We know our birdies love their special snacks, but mixing fruit or honey with seed can limit its shelf life. Specifically, any fresh ingredients need to be stored well away, and dried fruits might cause extra stickiness if left with seed too long. It’s best to keep each course of his meal separate until you put it in his cage, so you can better preserve everything and tell early when something’s gone south.

Where do I keep birdseed?

To keep food fresh, you’ll want to store it in a dry, cool area in a tightly sealed container. Some owners opt to buy a reusable plastic or glass vessel, and others prefer to keep it in the original bag. Regardless, triple-check that the ziplock seal or lid is tight. Don’t rely on a twist-tie to do the trick, as you want nothing getting into your bird’s food. Water is the worst offender for ruining birdseed. Even a little wetness will encourage spoilage and mold growth. Lots of mold will show visually, so inspect your birdseed carefully if you think it’s been contaminated or if it’s been sitting for a while. You’ll detect rot and some fungi better by smell, and it doesn’t hurt to give the bag an occasional sniff for good measure even if nothing looks wrong.

A thick container brings another major benefit as well: keeping out pests. It’s not just your bird that enjoys seed; many insects and rodents also would love to dine on your pet food cache. If you find your container torn, open, or otherwise disturbed, check for dead bugs and droppings. Sadly, if you discover any contaminants, you should dump it all out and start fresh, as these thieves can leave behind germs that will make your bird sick.

Girl feeds seed to her pet parrot
Alena Ozerova/Shutterstock

Does birdseed have an expiration date?

Your birdseed package will probably be stamped with a date a year or so in the future from the date of purchase, depending on exactly what’s in it and which species it was designed for. When it’s properly stored away, you should still be using up your bag every six to 12 months or so to maintain freshness. Every time you refill, check for signs that it may have turned prematurely. For example, finding clumps of seed or seeds that have sprouted indicates a bigger issue. Not only will you have to throw away the bag, but you also should look for the culprit. Sometimes it’s easiest to keep your pet’s food with your own to ensure it won’t get too hot or humid. Consider putting birdseed in the freezer, where it can keep for long periods without going bad (the fridge won’t work well, though). While it’s tempting to buy huge bags of food, it might wind up being more cost efficient to go down a size and avoid throwing out extra.

Even if the birdseed hasn’t expired, you should remember to frequently change out the food in your bird’s dish. Incorporate this refresh into a weekly cleaning schedule and replace it more often if you notice the food changing color or picking up an odor, or if you find droppings inside, even his own. Many treats should be removed immediately when he’s finished, especially if they’re wet like fruit to avoid spoiling or attracting bugs to your bird’s cage. Luckily, cuttlebones don’t really expire, so no need to replace this before your bird finishes it. He’ll also sometimes tell you if his meal doesn’t look good enough. Give it an extra once-over if he turns his beak up at his usual favorites. A little attention and a few precautions in storing and serving your bird’s food will help ensure he’s getting only fresh, tasty nutrition at every meal.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Is your snake bored? How to tell (and why you should care)
Snake lies down on his wood

Snakes are particularly known for their laziness; they're just really chill. This makes them an excellent pet, and one that works well for someone with advanced animal knowledge but little desire to play with their companion. But at what point is your snake's aloofness a problem, and at what point is too mellow not good? While you don't want to treat your snake like a dog or a cat, you must ensure your reptilian friend has enough going on not to check out and get bored. Here's how to interpret snake behavior.

Is my snake bored?
The truth is, probably not, though that doesn't mean his lifestyle isn't important to his well-being. Don't think of your snake as a dog or a bird; he probably doesn't want to learn tricks or play games like a warm-blooded animal. Instead, you should ensure that your slithering reptile has the proper habitat, which includes enrichment.

Read more
Don’t kill your fish: How to prepare your aquarium before vacation
Aquarium in house with plants and controls

So you got a fish because they can be left alone for a few days, but now the time comes for your vacation and you aren't sure what to do. Do they need a fish sitter? Should you get a fancy monitoring system that connects to your phone? What's the best way to keep your mini ecosystem running smoothly on its own? The good news is, you absolutely can leave your fish when you go out of town, and it doesn't need to be too difficult - or too expensive. With a little preparation, you'll keep all of your swimmers happy and yourself stress-free.

How long can my fish thrive while I am away?
OK, first if you leave for just a couple days, as in anything less than 72 hours, you won't need to do much at all. You shouldn't have to perform water changes that frequently for most tanks and you can easily set up an automatic feeding system to ensure they get their meals on schedule. Set up a feeder before you go (and don't forget to test it while you're around to make adjustments). Additionally, in case of emergency, most fish can skip a meal and recover easily, though you should not plan for that. For longer trips or for fish tank care with special requirements, such as eating live prey, you'll need to move to the next best option: a sitter.
Do I need a pet sitter for my fish?
Lots of aquarists opt for a sitter when gone for more than a couple days. This brings a few benefits, including the ability to check on the tank and step in if something goes wrong. A friend or neighbor can also do spot cleaning and feed more difficult fish. You do need to ensure that whoever winds up taking care of your fish knows how to do so. The last thing you want is to hire someone who overfeeds the animals or clogs the filter - both of which can be deadly to your aquarium inhabitants.
How should I prepare my fish for my vacation?
First, schedule a partial water change for a day or so before you depart. This way you don't need anyone else to do it and you can rest assured that your housing will stay reasonably clean with the proper filtration. Speaking of which, check every part to confirm that nothing needs changing or replacing and that you've removed all the detritus. Use conditioners as necessary and perform a water check right before you go. If you only go for a short while or if you have an experienced sitter entering your home daily, that's really all you need to do. But if you don't have a human in place, you can instead rely on digital communications to protect your underwater life.

Read more
How to evacuate your house with your bearded dragon in case of emergency
Woman carries her bearded dragon on her shoulder

When making an emergency plan, you should include evacuating your pets as part of it. Knowing who will grab the animals and the quickest and safest methods for transporting them saves crucial minutes. While it might be simple to pick up the cat and leash the dog, reptiles and amphibians require a bit more preparation. By making a fully detailed master plan of escape, you will drastically increase your chances of all household members making it out safe and sound. Having the best system in place will involve a number of accessories. Get everything and have it ready long before you ever need it. (We hope you never do!)

What do bearded dragons need in case of emergency?
Your bearded dragon setup likely consists of a 50 or so gallon tank, thermometer, hygrometer, substrate, branches, and lamps. There's no way you'll be able to take all of this with you in the 30 seconds to a minute you have to collect yourself once the alarm goes off. That means you need a separate system specifically for these circumstances instead of trying to take pieces of your standard housing. Additionally, you should have a way to bring along a small number of necessities like travel food and water dishes in case you can no longer return to your home. 
How can I transport my beardie safely?
The biggest and most urgent need will be getting him out of there, stat. In some emergency situations, like a fire, you need to take him out of the immediate area to safety, but you should have access to additional resources. Hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes present different challenges as they may result in loss of power, water, or the ability to buy more equipment. We recommend having a little go bag for transporting bearded dragons that also includes basic necessities, and keeping it somewhere that you can grab it at a moment's notice. Here's what you'll need ready and waiting.

Read more