What happens if a feeder is refilled without emptying old seed first?
Answer
The entire batch becomes suspect to the birds due to degrading seed underneath
A common maintenance error involves adding fresh Nyjer on top of seed that has begun to degrade or mold at the bottom of the feeder reservoir or tray. Even though the new seed is pristine, the presence of spoiled seed underneath contaminates the perception of the entire offering for the goldfinches. Because the birds might sense the poor quality emanating from the bottom layer, or because the compromised seed spoils the environment, the entire batch becomes suspect, resulting in the birds rejecting the feeder or leaving a pile of untouched, unused seed waste beneath the feeding station.
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