Husk-free sunflower hearts: high energy, no mess, and loved by a huge range of birds Sunflower hearts are the kernel of the sunflower seed — the shell removed, leaving the tender, oil-packed heart. They’re a favourite for British garden birds: easy to eat, rich in calories, and tidy under feeders.At Wiggly Wigglers we pack each bag fresh at our Herefordshire farm — even though we don’t grow the seed here, we still make sure it’s clean, safe and bird-ready. Key Benefits Husk-free: no shells means less mess, less waste, and no sprouting under feeders. High oil content: excellent fuel for birds needing energy in colder weather or during breeding. Attracts a wide variety of birds: especially finches, tits, robins, blackbirds and many more. Clean and easy to feed: works in feeders, on tables or scatter style. Complimentary to British-grown bird-foods: a great staple seed alongside more local options. Right for tidy gardens too: fewer shells dropping means less sweeping, more bird-watching. IngredientsSunflower hearts (100 %).(Packed in small batches for freshness. May contain traces of other seeds. Not for human consumption.) Why UK-Growth is Limited (and what to do about it) Although sunflowers grow well in the UK, the real challenge with sunflower hearts is de-husking. The industrial machinery to remove the shells (hulls) is less common here — so most sunflower hearts are grown abroad and imported. That means higher food miles compared with some UK-grown bird foods. If you’re looking to reduce transport footprint, consider options like black sunflower seeds (less processed, easier to source locally) or planting sunflower crops and wildlife-friendly seed heads in your garden. Also: by choosing black sunflowers you often get a lower cost per kg (because less processing) and still attract birds strongly. Who Else Loves Sunflower Hearts?🐿️ Squirrels (of course)Let’s start with the obvious culprits!Grey squirrels love sunflower hearts — they’re like squirrel chocolate. The high fat and protein content make them irresistible, and they’ll happily empty a feeder if they can.That’s not all bad though — squirrels are entertaining and part of the ecosystem. Just be prepared for acrobatics and the occasional “squirrel gymnastics” display. Wiggly Tip:If you’d prefer to keep them off, try a baffle guard or a dedicated squirrel feeder stocked separately so they leave the bird feeders alone. HedgehogsHedgehogs will occasionally nibble at sunflower hearts if they’re on the ground, though they prefer mealworms or meat-based hedgehog food. The odd seed isn’t harmful, but too many oily ones aren’t ideal for their diet. Wiggly Tip:If you’re hedgehog-friendly, place their food and water away from bird feeding areas to avoid seed overload.
