When it comes to choosing bird seed, Pennington is one of the most well-known brands on the market. But is it actually a good option for feeding wild birds? There are several factors to consider when evaluating the quality of a bird seed brand.
Nutritional Value
The most important factor in any bird seed is the nutritional value – does it provide the nutrients birds need? Pennington bird seed contains a mix of grains, including millet, cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and more. This provides carbohydrates and fats for energy, along with some protein from the sunflower seeds. However, top avian vets recommend choosing seeds with higher fat and protein content, like nyjer seed or black oil sunflower seeds. The Pennington seed mixes are heavy on filler grains that birds don’t benefit from as much as oil-rich options.
Seed Type Variety
Another key consideration is the variety of seeds in a mix – the more diversity, the better. Different bird species prefer different seeds, so a mix with several seed types will appeal to more birds. Pennington mixes tend to contain just 2-5 types of seed. Compare that to premium bird seed blends that contain 8-12+ seed types including nyjer, peanuts, dried fruit, and more. The lack of diversity in Pennington seed means fewer birds may flock to your feeder.
Seed Size
Bird seed also varies in seed size – some birds prefer small seeds while others like large seeds they can easily pick up. Pennington has a range of seed sizes in their mixes, which does help appeal to different bird beak types. However, the seed is not sorted by size within their mixes. This means you get some large seeds mixed in with tiny seeds. Premium brands use sized seed mixes optimized for certain birds (like small finches versus larger cardinals).
Fillers and Debris
Lower quality bird seeds often contain fillers like oats, wheat, milo and rice. These are inexpensive to produce but offer little nutrition to birds. Pennington bird seed does contain a high percentage of filler grains. There also tends to be more debris, dust, chaff, and stems in Pennington seed. High amounts of debris can be unappetizing to birds and also goes to waste.
Price
When comparing bird seed brands, price is another factor to weigh. Pennington tends to be priced in the low to moderate range. A 20-pound bag costs around $15-$25. This positions it as a budget brand that seems affordable upfront. However, the lower cost per pound comes from fillers that birds won’t eat. When you factor in wasted seed, you may end up paying more per pound of seed actually consumed by birds.
Quality Control
Seed quality and purity can also differ between brands. Pennington has faced some scrutiny over the years for quality control issues. There have been reports of moldy seed leading to incidents of sick birds at feeders. This indicates inconsistent quality control procedures. Some premium seed companies have in-house labs to rigorously test for purity, germination rates, and contamination.
Food Safety Standards
Related to quality control is whether seed producers follow food safety protocols. Facilities that process bird food should adhere to standards for equipment, employee practices, pest control, and sanitation. Some Pennington seeds state they are “Produced in an FDA registered facility.” However, they do not indicate following any hazard prevention plans like those required by the Food Safety Modernization Act. Reputable seed brands make their food safety protocols transparent.
Sustainably Sourced
Eco-conscious consumers also want assurance that bird food comes from sustainable sources. Pennington provides little information about agricultural practices or sustainability initiatives. Smaller seed companies are leading the way in organic, regeneratively grown, and Fair Trade certified bird seed. Consider environmental impacts when choosing food for backyard birds.
Specialty Seed Options
In addition to standard seed mixes, some brands offer specialty seeds tailored for unique feeder visitors. These include regional mixes for certain areas, seeds for winter feeding, or blends for fruit/nut-loving birds like woodpeckers, cardinals and chickadees. Pennington has a very limited specialty selection – just a basic southern region mix. Leading premium brands have diverse specialty mixes to target specific birds.
Conclusion
So is Pennington a good brand when it comes to bird seed? Here is a summary of the key pros and cons:
Pros of Pennington Bird Seed:
- Contains common bird food grains like millet, corn, sunflower seeds
- Range of seed sizes for different beaks
- Low to moderate price point
Cons of Pennington Bird Seed:
- High percentage of filler grains with limited nutritional value
- Lacks diversity with only 2-5 seed types in mixes
- No separation by seed size within mixes
- Contains more debris and waste than premium brands
- Quality control and food safety protocols unclear
- Minimal specialty seed options
While Pennington seed costs less than premium brands, you may get less return on your investment after accounting for wasted fillers and low nutrition levels. For birds to fully benefit, it’s better to choose a brand focused on bird health and Species-specific needs. Look for certified organic, non-GMO seeds with optimal nutrition, variety, purity and food safety assurances.
Brand | Seed Type Variety | Seed Quality | Specialty Options | Sustainably Sourced | Price Per Pound |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pennington | 2-5 types | Fillers, debris | Very limited | Unknown | $1.50 |
Premium Brand | 8-12+ types | High purity, lab tested | Wide selection | Organic, regenerative | $3-$5 |
This table summarizes key differences between Pennington and a premium bird seed brand. While Pennington costs less per pound upfront, the lower seed quality means you may end up paying more for usable seed that actually gets eaten.
How to Attract More Birds to Your Feeder
If you want to bring more colorful birds to your yard, choosing a top quality bird seed is just the first step. Here are some other tips to increase activity and diversity at your feeders:
- Offer multiple feeder types like hopper, tube, platform and suet feeders
- Provide various seeds rather than just one mix
- Include fresh water for drinking and bathing
- Situate feeders in a spot with trees, bushes or other cover
- Let the area under feeders remain wild to provide forage opportunities
- Supplement feeders with fruit slices, mealworms or nectar for certain birds
- Clean feeders regularly to prevent spread of bacteria and fungal diseases
Following these tips, along with choosing a premier bird seed brand, will create an attractive habitat that brings nature right to your doorstep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennington bird seed safe for birds?
Pennington bird seed meets basic safety standards but there have been some reports of moldy or spoiled seed leading to sick birds. Their quality control processes are not as rigorous as higher-end brands that thoroughly lab test every batch of seed.
Where is Pennington bird seed made?
Pennington does not disclose on their packaging where their seeds are sourced or processed. Most of their bird food appears to be produced in facilities in the United States or Canada.
Does Pennington use GMO seeds?
Pennington bird food packages do not state that seeds are non-GMO. This suggests their seeds likely come from conventional, GMO-crop agriculture. Many premium bird food brands explicitly state they use only non-GMO, organic seeds.
Is Pennington bird seed organic?
No, Pennington does not offer any certified organic bird seed mixes. Their conventional seed is sourced from standard industrial farming operations that use chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
What is the most popular Pennington bird seed?
Pennington’s Cardinal Blend is one of their most popular mixes. It contains sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet and safflower to try to appeal specifically to cardinals.
What is the healthiest bird seed brand?
Some of the healthiest and highest-quality bird seed brands include Wagner’s, Kaytee, Audubon, Lafeber, and Lyric. They offer certified organic, non-GMO seeds with optimal nutrition.
Does bird seed go bad or expire?
Unopened bird seed can last for up to a year in a cool, dry location. Once opened, it’s best to use within 3-6 months. Discard any seed that smells musty or looks moldy. Also replace seed if it starts sprouting as it has gotten too damp.
The Bottom Line
While Pennington is one of the most widely available bird food brands, there are some drawbacks compared to premium seed. Lower nutritional value, fillers, quality concerns, and sustainability issues bring into question whether it’s the best choice, despite the lower cost per pound. For maximum benefit to your backyard birds, a brand made from high-quality ingredients, organic farming practices, and strict safety standards is recommended.