We’re big bird watchers at MyGardeninn. I have year-round birdseed feeders in both the front and back of my house and am constantly filling them up. And then in the winter, I add suet cakes to the feeding areas to give the birds a little extra boost of energy. A couple of years ago, I made heart-shaped DIY Suet Bird Cakes for my friends for Valentine’s Day. We’re close like that.
Watching: No Melt Suet Cakes For Birds
What Is Suet?
Suet is a mixture of fat, birdseeds, and other fruits or nuts that birds enjoy. The fat in the suet is high in calories and is needed by the birds to generate extra body heat and energy to get through the winter months. Although I generally only feed birds suet cakes in the winter when their natural food choices are greatly reduced, they will eat them year-round. The birds who enjoy suet are usually the insect-eating ones, so in the summer, they have more than enough insects to choose from.
I don’t want them to become too dependent on me and my suet making abilities. I can just imagine them saying, “Where’s the lady with my year-round free food I don’t have to work for?” if I were to move away. So, this year, I decided to write this post about a no-melt variety that can take you from fall through spring.
How To Make Bird Suet
Although you can buy pre-made suet cakes at the store, I like to make my own. Homemade suet is easy enough to make, can save you money if you make them in bulk, and allows you to create the variety of suet you want (peanut, berry, etc). Plus, it doesn’t take much time at all to whip up a fresh batch.
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For making a no-melt suet that stands up better in warmer weather and sunny days, you need to use a lard or vegetable fat that is sold and stored at room temperature – Armour’s Lard or Crisco, not a bottle of vegetable oil.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Birdseed
- ½ cup Dried Fruit (Cherries, Cranberries, Blueberries, etc)
- ½ cup Peanuts (non-salted only)
- 1 cup Oats
- 1 cup Melted Lard/Manteca (Armour)
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
- Molds
Put the birdseed, dried fruit, peanuts, and oats in a mixing bowl. Stir. Melt the lard in a glass bowl or mixing cup in the microwave. Pour the lard over the birdseed mixture and stir until mixed well. Spoon the wet birdseed mixture into your mold and push firmly down into the mold. Cover and put it in the refrigerator to speed up the setting time. Put your suet cakes in suet holders for the birds to enjoy.
How To Store Suet Cakes
Homemade suet cakes should be stored in the refrigerator and used within 3 months. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to a year.
Can I Substitute Crisco for Lard?
Yes, you can. I know a lot of people prefer not to use meat-based products in their homes or simply have Crisco in the cupboard and don’t want to drive to the store. So, Crisco can be substituted for lard in the recipe. Lard is pork-based, and Crisco is vegetable-based, but birds will still eat the suet made with Crisco.
Crisco is a little bit softer than lard, so you might have to increase the oats a little bit to make the cakes firm up. I’d mix it up and if it seems too moist, then add another ¼ – ½ cup of oats to the recipe.
What Birds Eat Suet?
- Cardinals
- Robins
- Bluebirds
- Mockingbirds
- Orioles
- Blue Jays
- Woodpeckers
- Wrens
- Chickadees
- Nuthatches
- Titmice
How To Hang A Suet Feeder
- Hang at least 4-5 feet off the ground.
- Hang in shade if possible.
- Use a pole with a squirrel baffle or a tree limb.
- DO NOT hang a suet feeder too close to a traditional seed feeder. Suet attracts different types of birds with different feeding preferences.
- DO NOT hang a suet feeder too close to the trunk of a tree or you will be giving easy access to the pesky squirrels.
Help, Why Won’t Birds Eat My Suet?
There are two main reasons why birds might not be flocking to your suet feeder. Sometimes, if the feeding area is brand new, it can take a little bit of time for the birds to find it. But after one bird finds it, they’ll tell their friends, and pretty soon you’ll be in business.
Another reason could be if it’s hung in a busy area with lots of human foot traffic or where natural predators live. The birds prefer a distraction-free zone to eat in peace.
Are you feeding the birds this winter? What’s your favorite flavor of suet? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: https://mygardeninn.com
Category: Gardening