How do you make suet balls?

[ajrsmom]

I want to make this a cheap, easy project with my son using things around the house. Do I have to buy suet or can I substitute p-nut butter? Do I need both?
I'd love any help you can give to us.

Thanks!!

[jennz]

I wasn't even sure what a suet ball was, so when I looked it up I came across this site:

http://www.trftimes.com/archive/time..._can_be_a_.htm

Hope it helps.

Jenn

[ajrsmom]

Thanks so much!

I love the idea of bird cookies too!

I have most of the stuff on hand....except the cracked corn, will have to take a look for it.

My son will be so excited!!


Tami

[Annette2]

Jenn,
Looked up the sight for making bird suet, great recipes. I feed the birds all winter and have for about 10 yrs.
Thanks so much.
Annette

[dxlifer]

just a quick note re the recipe.....some people insist that peanut butter is a bad idea for small birds as they can 'gum up' their beaks. but then i've seen them used by a neighbour and never noticed any problems....

i've got cardinals that visit the tree outside the window in my office and plan to put goodies out for them.

carol

[janet]

I make suet balls for the birds using equal parts of peanut butter and crisco(or cheap veg. shortening) I also roll the balls in sunflower seeds. I feed our birds black oil sunflower seeds so I usually have them on hand. Now I have square block feeders to hold the suet cakes, so now I make them square to fit in the cage. Birds really seem to them.

janet

[blondie29697]

Here's a recipe for Suet Balls from the Internet. I melted fat one time and put it with bird seed. The problem was it was too warm outside. This recipe sounds so much better than my first attempt.

Bird Food - Homemade Suet
Mix with hands (yes, it's a bit messy):

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup Crisco shortening (or cheap generic kind)
1 cup flour
4 cups cornmeal
I form it into fat hamburger patty size shapes and place in suet feeders. Refrigerate leftovers.

Another necessity for birds is water (which is free for me). I bought a birdbath for about $15. Water level should be shallow, about 2" or less. Higher than that and the birds will be reluctant to use it. If you already have one but it's very deep, you can make it more bird-friendly by adding flat stones or rocks.

[Patch60hearts]

I save bacon grease in a pint jar on the counter and when I take a notion, I mix it with sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and cornmeal (for the glue). It attracts all sorts of birds in the winter.

[Annette2]

;-) What a great idea, save the bacon grease and mix W/ only three ing., cracked corn, cornmeal and sunflower seeds. Am going to try this.
Annette

[BLTN_Mom]

If you can get slab bacon with the skin on you can render it in the oven to have the grease and the cracklins you can grind for them too . . .