If you enjoy feeding birds in the wintertime or any time of the year, this is a do-it-yourself project that you will absolutely love! Of course, the birds are also going to love it because it allows you to make your own suet feeders, and you would be amazed with the type of birds that will be attracted to it!
Suet feeders are based on suet, or some other type of fat, such as lard. When mixed together with seeds, oats and other types of birdseed, you can attract many different types of birds, including woodpeckers, cardinals, chickadees, wrens and starlings.
To make feeders you need: a mold, heavy yarn, vegetable shortening or lard, black sunflower seeds, raw sunflower seeds, and bits of fruit (apples, cranberries, oranges, blueberries). I would have added raw peanuts too if I would have had them on hand.
To make the suet cakes: 1. Chop up the fruit into small pieces then mix into a bowl with the seeds.
2. Fill the molds with your seed fruit mixture, leaving the knotted yarn at the bottom of the mold. Knot the ends of yarn into a big knot, the bigger the knot the better.
3. Using the double broiler method, melt the shortening/lard on a medium heat.
4. Add large spoonfuls (or pour, if not too hot) of the melted shortening into each mold covering the seed mix. Place the suet in the freezer for 6-24 hours to ensure it sets. 5. To remove the suet, place the frozen mold in a pan of HOT water for a few seconds, but not too long or the suet cake will melt and have to set again. Pop them out.
6. Now to place them in your trees, do not dangle them from random branches, it will be hard for the birds to get to them this way. Place them up against the trunk or thick branches, this way the birds will have a surface to hold onto while eating.
Note- I only make these in the cold months, the shortening will melt and spoil quickly in the hot summer months. Store any extras in the freezer and replace as needed.
Click below to share this DIY project with others…