Because the birds know the difference. And so will you.

We set out to make peanut-free birdseed - safe birdseed, for our family and for all the other families, schools, and community spaces that needed it. That was the mission.

But if we were going to make birdseed, we were going to make really, really great birdseed. Those two things were never in conflict.

What's Actually in Most Birdseed?

Commercial wild birdseed blends can and do routinely contain up to 70% (or more) filler seeds. We know, we were shocked, too. That’s to say, seeds that backyard birds really aren’t that fond of. Things like corn, wheat, milo (sorghum) and red millet.

Fillers exist for one reason: they're cheap. They make a bag look generous and a price look reasonable. But watch what happens at your feeder. The birds pick through it, kick the fillers to the ground, and wait for something better. What's left on the ground can develop mold - which is genuinely dangerous for birds - and attract rodents who are more than happy to help themselves.

To be fair, there are birds that will eat filler seeds. But they're largely either nuisance birds you really don't want at your feeder - like European Starlings and House Sparrows, both considered invasive species in North America - or birds like quail, pheasants, and turkeys that don't typically visit backyard feeders at all.

You paid for birdseed. You deserved birds. Fillers get in the way of both.

A quick recap on filler seeds:

• Backyard birds aren't fond of them and largely ignore them.
• Birds toss them to the ground, where they can cause mold and attract rodents.
• Your money, along with the filler seeds, goes to waste.
• You're not attracting nearly the birds you could be with seed they actually love.

We decided very early on that we wanted nothing to do with fillers - even if it meant our blends would cost a bit more. And they do. We truly believe it's worth it, for the humans and the birds.

What Makes Birdseed Premium?

Premium birdseed is simple in concept: seeds that birds actually want to eat, in the right combinations, without compromise.

For us that means:

No fillers. Ever. Every seed in every Wallis Johns blend is there because birds love it and because it genuinely attracts more of them to your feeder.

High oil content. The seeds we use are naturally high in the fats and oils that birds need, especially in colder months when energy demands are highest. More oil means more energy for the birds, and more birds at your feeder.

No peanuts. Ever. Certified, tested, and verified by a third-party accredited lab. Not because birds are allergic - they’re not - but because the people filling the feeder might be, or might live near someone who is. Safety and quality aren't a tradeoff. They're the same thing.

Less waste. When birds love what's in the feeder, they eat it. All of it. Less on the ground, less mess, less mold, fewer rodents. A better experience all around.

Who Buys Wallis Johns?

This is the part that still makes us smile.

Yes, many of our customers come to us because they need peanut-free birdseed - for themselves, for a family member, for a school or community space navigating peanut allergies. That's who we made this for and that will always be the heart of what we do.

But a lot of our customers have no allergy in the family at all. They found us, tried us, and stayed - because the birdseed is just better. More birds. Less waste. A feeder that actually works the way you hoped it would when you put it up.

It just is what it is. Really, really great birdseed. That is also safe for humans with peanut allergies and peanut-free environments.

Does Premium Birdseed Cost More?

Yes. The simple answer is, yes. But, let's do the math.

Often, commercial birdseed blends (sometimes even ones that are labelled as ‘premium’) can contain up to 70% filler seeds - corn, milo, wheat, red millet - seeds that most backyard birds will largely ignore. On a 5 lb bag, that means roughly 3.5 lbs of seed that ends up on the ground rather than enjoyed by the birds. You're effectively paying for 5 lbs and getting 1.5 lbs of seed your birds actually want.

Now do the math on cost per pound of seed birds will actually eat. The number changes considerably.

With Wallis Johns, what's in the bag is what the birds eat. All of it. No filler, no waste. The price per bag is higher. The price per pound of seed your birds actually love is a different conversation entirely.

We'd encourage you to run those numbers on any birdseed you buy, including ours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it really matter what birdseed I buy?

Yes, more than most people realize. Most commercial birdseed contains up to 70% filler seeds that backyard birds largely ignore. Understanding what's actually in your birdseed, and what birds will actually eat, makes a significant difference to how many birds visit your feeder (which is the point, after all) and how much value you get from every bag. 

What are filler seeds and why do they matter?

Filler seeds, like corn, milo, wheat, red millet (these are the main ones), are cheap ingredients used to increase bag weight and reduce cost per unit. Most backyard birds actively avoid them, kicking them to the ground where they can develop mold, attract rodents, and create mess. The birds that do eat filler seeds are largely invasive species like European Starlings and House Sparrows, birds most backyard birders would rather not encourage. Wallis Johns doesn’t use any filler seeds, and we never will.

Is cheaper birdseed actually cheaper?

Not when you do the math. A bag that's 70% filler contains significantly less seed your birds will actually eat than the weight on the label suggests. On a 5 lb bag, you may be getting as little as 1.5 lbs of seed birds actually want. The real cost per pound of seed birds love is often considerably higher with a discount blend than with a premium one. We'd encourage you to think critically about any birdseed you buy, including ours.

I heard peanuts and corn in birdseed can contain mold that's harmful to birds. Is this true?

Yes. Corn and peanuts are among the seeds most susceptible to aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxin produced by mold that can develop on crops under certain storage and humidity conditions. Aflatoxin is harmful to birds even at low levels. Cornell Lab of Ornithology and other leading ornithological organizations have documented this risk. Wallis Johns blends use neither peanuts nor corn. 

Will premium birdseed attract more birds?

Yes, noticeably so. When a feeder contains seeds birds genuinely want, they come back. Regularly.

Do people without peanut allergies buy Wallis Johns?

All the time. Many of our most loyal customers have no peanut allergy that they’re trying to manage. They found us, tried us, and stayed, because the birdseed is just better. More birds, less waste, a feeder that works the way they hoped it would, one that’s full of birds.

What's the difference between your three blends?

All three are certified peanut-free by a third-party accredited lab. They’re also filler-free and use only premium seeds that backyard birds truly love.

Something for Everyone 1 is our original blend, available exclusively through retail partners. Something for Everyone 2 is our mixed blend. Something for Everyone 3 is straight sunflower chips. You can learn more about each blend here.

Why no peanuts if birds aren't allergic?

Because the people filling the feeder might be. Peanut-free birdseed exists for people navigating peanut allergies and peanut-free environments, not because birds are allergic, but because peanut-free environments require avoiding peanuts everywhere, including in unexpected places like birdseed.

Learn more about why peanut-free, and why it matters, here.