Suet: A Favorite Winter Bird Food
If you have a little time and want to help the birds make it through a cold winter, (and save money!) it's easy to mix up a batch of healthy suet.
Like most homemade items, you determine what is in this suet- and be creative! The stuff in stores contains lots of fillers that suet eating birds don't really care about. You'll feel good about doing something nice for wildlife- Really!
***Want to continue feeding suet during the summer months? I have some information for you farther down this lens.
Want to do more? Count birds for science. Check out my link to Project FeederWatch below.
ATTENTION!! If you buy suet check this link to see if it has been recalled!!
Since the Salmonella outbreak in peanuts this company is recalling suet made with peanut meal that might have come from the factory in Georgia. Click here for the link and product descriptions.
My Suet Recipe
I just wing it...no pun intended.
Buy a chunk of fat- beef is usually what I find available- from the local grocery store. It's very inexpensive.I Chop it up because it melts better, but that's your choice, and melt over low heat- fat has a lower burning point- with any other grease (such as bacon grease) that you might have saved. A Lot of chunks will remain, and you can strain them out or not.
By the way, you can just put the store bought fat into a mesh bag or wire feeder as it is. It's okay to skip all the fun of melting and mixing if you don't have the time. (only do this in cold weather!)
**Suet will melt and go bad in warm weather (See my links further down for Summer suet feeding).
Bears could be a problem as the weather warms, if you live in bear country. I write about the bears further down in this lens.
Melting The Fat ~ At a LOW heat
Adding More Protein and Their Favorite Foods
Choose by watching what the birds in your area like to eat...
Once the fat has cooled a bit, start adding whatever your birds seem to enjoy eating the best.In my area of the Northeastern US, that means the Woodpeckers- Downy & Hairy, Chickadee and Nuthatch. These are the birds I see frequenting my suet feeder.
Woodpeckers especially love suet and since the other birds eat sunflower seeds, peanuts and various seeds, and Woodpeckers like to eat bugs, which are pretty hard to come by in the depths of winter, I primarily gear my suet making to the needs of the Woodpecker.
Here are some examples of what I add (and I never measure, just mix in whatever you have until it looks good). Remember that the suet will harden in the refrigerator.
**After the fat and bacon grease (if you have it) are melted, stir in some peanut butter. A couple of big spoonfuls should be enough.
**Now you should add something to hold it together, like bread, breadcrumbs, cornmeal, crackers, flour, etc.
I save old bread, muffins, rolls, pancakes, and any baked goods and store them in baggies in the freezer, and use them for adding to my suet mix. (This is how I save a little money and stretch my bird food budget. I also feel good about not being wasteful.)
I like to throw in some old cereal, granola bars, raisins, popcorn or peanuts if I have them.
Whatever the suet eating birds don't want will fall to the ground and be eaten by other birds or squirrels.
I don't add seeds to my suet mix because I have plenty of other feeders for seeds and I want my suet to be just what it's suppose to be-tasty fat.
**Keep the feeders filled all winter once feeding begins. The birds will depend on having food available at your feeders. Add a heated birdbath and you'll be the hit of the neighborhood!
Will You Try It?
Bookmark This Lens
An Upside Down suet feeder (right) will help deter the squirrels.
Foil Pans Make Good Molds
But using wax paper is fine too.
You have many choices for molding your suet cakes. Last year I simply let the mixture cool and plopped spoonfuls onto wax paper and froze them in freezer bags.
This year I've found something better.
Most suet feeders I've seen take basically the same size suet and I've found that using an 8x8 or 9x9 foil, or aluminum, cake pan I can let it harden and then cut the piece into quarters.
The pieces fit nicely into my feeder. If you have a bunch of suet that won't be used right away, freeze it in freezer bags (after it's cut to size) and it's ready to grab for an empty feeder. No need to thaw it first.
My Favorite Suet Feeder
Upside Down Suet Feeder
The recycled ones hold up very well.
This style feeder helps to keep the squirrels from gobbling up all the suet.
Don't hang it near a branch or they will stand on the branch and eat! It works well on a shepherd's hook in the middle of the yard.
Recycled Single Cake Upside Down Suet Feeder w/Hanging Cable
Amazon Price: $25.65 (as of 11/12/2009)
Know The Best Types of Feeders to Use
Buy the right kinds of feeders for the birds you want to attract. Read the suggestions at
~ Choosing the Best Feeders ~
Make Your Own Feeders - Free On-Line Plans
Some advice and links to building your own feeders
If you are handy and want to save money, then make your own feeders and bird houses.
My Backyard Plans is a good site to use for finding blueprints to build feeders. They have a feeder pictured and directions, but also provide links to other plans for making other types of feeders including a Suet Feeder.
Each link contains stars to rate the feeder projects.
*I've never made my own feeder and the one pictured here is store bought, but the SUET IS HOMEMADE !
Want a book to show you how? Check out the links below.
Books on Building Your Own Bird Feeders and Houses
For the handy among us...
The Bird Feeder Book: How To Build Unique Bird Feeders from the Purely Practical to the Simply Outrageous
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
Used Price: $0.16
How to Build Birdhouses and Feeders
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
Used Price: $3.48
How to Build Everything You Need For Your Birds
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 11/12/2009)
Used Price: $19.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Bird House Book: How to Build Fanciful Bird Houses and Feeders, from the Purely Practical to the Absolutely Outrageous
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Spotlight
Mintcraft 64"Double Shepherd Hook Bronze GB-3092-1
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
A shepherds hook is needed for hanging feeders. If they are in the center of the yard, away from the trees, squirrels are less likely to get into the seed. Most are sturdy enough for light weight feeders.
A double is nice to have two feeders near each other for easy re-filling.
Place Chopped Suet In A Tray Feeder
If you don't have the time to mix up a batch of suet and your hungry birds are searching the yard for a meal, just chop a piece of beef fat into small pieces and spread it around on a tray feeder (like the one shown here - which is full of peanuts in the shell).
Don't leave it on the ground for cats, dogs or wildlife to come after. I put some out the other day and a fox showed up that evening trying to find a way to get his share.
It disappears quickly, and I seldom see a woodpecker eat from my tray feeder, but the Titmouse, Nuthatch, Chickadees and of course Blue Jays will gobble it up!
Tray Feeder of Recycled Material
This type of hanging feeder is easy to clean out and will hold all types of seed (thistle will fall through). My tray feeder is not of recycled material and it needs to be replaced because the wood is rotting. The recycled ones are usually made very well.
HANGING PLATFORM FEEDER QT 4 - Quart - Hunter Green
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
Versatile, inexpensive and easy to clean. Hang it under a tree or from a shepherd's hook.
Bears and Bird Feeders
Bear Photography by Walt Alder
Where I live, in the northeastern US, the end of winter signals the return of the Black Bear...and he/she is hungry! Every feeder I own is dented, twisted, or in some way mangled by a bear. Not to mention the ones I've lost because they weren't saved in time.
I've had bears walk into my yard in the middle of the day to swipe a Thistle feeder and sneak in at night to mangle a sunflower hopper- and they are expensive!
I know that the bears need to eat too, but how much can a few seeds fill up a big bear?
Although they cost me money by having to replace feeders, the bears and cubs are beautiful and I do enjoy seeing them.
However- all feeders should be brought in once a bear is spotted in the yard. They should be deterred from returning.
Some helpful advice for discouraging unwanted visitors can be found here.
Black-Bear eating berries by WildThings
You Can Help Cornell University Track Birds Through "Project FeederWatch"
This is a lot of fun and every bird watcher should get involved!
Become part of a scientific study of bird populations and trends by joining Project FeederWatch.For a small fee - I believe it's around $15, and includes a research kit and identification poster- you can join the thousands of people who count birds species in their backyards and submit the data to FeederWatch by mail or internet.
The folks at Cornell University collect the data from all over the US and Canada from November through April, each year, and use this information to study our bird population.
One of my favorite things to do, is check out the map of count sites. When you become a member you will be able to see your own area of the country and compare your counts with some of your neighbors.
For example; one year I had a Carolina Wren hang out in my yard all winter. I live in New Hampshire and that bird is not a regular visitor to feeders in my area. I could go to the map and see who else had been seeing that same type of bird - if anyone- in my neck of the woods. (By the way, that Wren- loved Smartfood popcorn so I had to keep a supply just for him all winter).
Project FeederWatch is a lot of fun, easy to do, and educational. What a great way to get your kids involved in science and for all of us to appreciate and significantly help our feathered friends.
The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible
The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible: The A-to-Z Guide To Feeders, Seed Mixes, Projects, And Treats (Rodale Organic Gardening Book)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/12/2009)
Sally Roth knows a lot about birds and her book includes recipes for all kinds of treats. She has inspired me to pay closer attention to my own backyard birds.
Deck Railing Tilt-To-Empty Bird Bath
Easy to install, easy to empty,
right height for viewing
and inexpensive!
API 645 Bird Bath Bowl with Tilt-to-Clean Deck Rail Mounting Bracket
Amazon Price: $38.23 (as of 11/12/2009)
This 20 inch bird bath attaches to your deck railing without screws or nails and is made of plastic. Simply tilt the bowl and pour out the old water! It's inexpensive and has super saver shipping! (my favorite). Most birdbaths are not easy to view out on the lawn...bring the birds closer to enjoy them more.
Wanted: Advice and Input on Heating Birdbaths in Winter
I don't do it...but I'd like to.
I'd really like to hear opinons on this subject and probably others would too.
For those who do it or have tried...Using a birdbath heater...Yes or No?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, it works out great and is often used by the birds.
I've tried it, but had these problems...
Bird Bath Heaters
Water is hard to find in winter months...
Birds need water year round. Your feeder birds will love you for providing fresh water for them to drink in the coldest of winter days when all else is frozen solid ... please take my poll above!
Farm Innovators Economical Bird Bath De-Icer Model B-9, 44-Watt
Amazon Price: $13.93 (as of 11/12/2009)
Farm Innovators Premium Cast Aluminum Bird Bath De-Icer Model C-50, 150-Watt
Amazon Price: $39.97 (as of 11/12/2009)
Nelson 6200 Gulf Stream Bird Bath Heater and De-Icer
Amazon Price: $48.95 (as of 11/12/2009)
API 300 200-Watt Bird Bath De-Icer
Amazon Price: $42.75 (as of 11/12/2009)
API 650 Heated Bird Bath with Mounting Bracket
Amazon Price: $69.95 (as of 11/12/2009)
"Feed the birds all
winter and don't run out of
food ~ Keep some suet
in the freezer"
My Feeders ~ Seed, Suet & A Bagel
Suet Available at Amazon
If it says "Delight" on the package, it's safe for summer feeding too.
C. & S. Prod. CS1250507 Peanut Delight Suet Cake, Pack of 12
Amazon Price: $14.28 (as of 11/12/2009)
Stokes Select STK8039-12 High Energy Suet (12 cakes)
Amazon Price: $28.27 (as of 11/12/2009)
Heath Outdoor Products DD-17 Nut AND Berry Suet
Amazon Price: $2.54 (as of 11/12/2009)
High Energy Suet -Case of 12
Amazon Price: $12.69 (as of 11/12/2009)
Suet For Summer Feeding
Buy some or try making your own
I have never made suet for summer feeding myself because of the bears that tend to be around and hungry in the warm months. I stop all bird feeding because I live in the woods where birds are able to fend for themselves once the nice weather arrives.
But I have found some links for those of you who might be interested in making or buying the non-melting kind.
(When buying suet, look for the word "Delight" in the title, for the no-melt kind.)
Basically the suet has to be rendered, or melted numerous times before use. But suet should never be put out in the sun, and if it's hot enough to make the suet drippy...take it down.
Birds need healthy food, clean feeders, and clean water. Never put out raw suet in warm weather!
- Summer Safe Suet
- Talks more about suet and how it should be used. No recipes here, just fun to read facts and advice.
- A Home For Wild Birds
- Scroll down the page a bit for directions on "Rendering Suet". This site also has suet recipes.
- Wild Birds Forever
- This site offers many kinds of suet including "no melt" and the prices seem to be reasonable.
More Links For Buying Suet
Don't have the time to make it?
Sometimes you need to use your stash of store bought suet, so check out these links to finding suet online.
Try to find a place that will ship for free. See my coupon link on this lens.
Remember that suet will melt if left out in hot weather, but there is non-melt suet available too.
- High Energy Bird Feeding Beef Suet
- Bird lovers buy bird suet and bird suet cakes online retail.
- Wild Birds Forever On-Line Wild Bird Food Store featuring suet cakes
- Wild Birds Forever offers high quality wild bird seed, suet and nectar mixes for fast delivery to your home.
- wildbirdsuets.com - Wild Bird Suets
- C&S Wild Bird Suet makes your backyard buffet irresistible to wild birds! Our suets are divided into Suet Treats and Suet Delights. ...
- Suet Cakes for Backyard Birds, Discount Bird Feeders & Supplies
- Suet Cakes for Backyard Birds Rachel's Robin Discount Bird Supplies offers bird baths and bird feeders as well as wild bird supplies.
Recalled Suet Made with Peanuts
Check here for a list of suet recalled by the Scotts Company.
The Super Hopper Style Feeder
It's a favorite for convenience.
Remember that birds have various eating habits.
The woodpecker prefers the suet feeder, the finches like thistle and a tube feeder is best for that type of seed, while the Cardinal likes an open place to eat- usually the ground, but a flat platform feeder is something they will use too and it keeps the mess off the ground.
If you can afford it, I suggest a hopper feeder, like the one below. It will hold lots of food so you won't have to trudge out in the middle of a snowstorm to fill it, and can be customized to let only the birds you want eat from it...anything heavy will close the access to the seeds so squirrels are less likely to steal all the sunflowers.
Put out the right kind of feeder for the birds you want to attract and fill it with their favorite food and watch them eat...all day long. Don't they ever get full?
Heritage Farms Absolute Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
Amazon Price: $68.37 (as of 11/12/2009)
No Squirrels Allowed!
I know that squirrels are hungry too, but stay off my feeders!
I have lots of seed and peanuts and corn put out to keep them full...so why do they insist on driving the birds away by hanging out on the feeders?
Duncraft 171 Squirrel Proof Selective Feeder
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
Contech SquirrelStop Automatic Spinning Squirrel Deterrent
Amazon Price: $47.18 (as of 11/12/2009)
Droll Yankees YF Flipper Bird Feeder
Amazon Price: $109.16 (as of 11/12/2009)
Droll Yankees YCPW180 Whipper Bird Feeder, Dark Blue
Amazon Price: $77.85 (as of 11/12/2009)
Feeder Fresh - You Need This!
Prevents mold in seed feeders
These little white granules absorb moisture from inside bird seed feeders to prevent mold. (Not for use with suet!)
The directions say to add a thin layer of Feeder Fresh in the bottom of a clean feeder. After the feeder is filled with seed, sprinkle more on top.
The label also says the product is bird safe- for wild birds only. From what I've seen, they eat around it and it does work.
An excellent addition for Thistle feeders especially.
Feeder Fresh at Amazon
If you continue to feed birds into the Spring and throughout the summer months, you will really begin to use the Feeder Fresh because of the rain and dampness.
In the south where it is muggy and damp most of the year (I'm thinking Florida), you would use it year round.
Feeder Fresh 9 oz. Twin Pack
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
Feeder Fresh 9 oz.
Amazon Price: $12.37 (as of 11/12/2009)
Get A Coupon For On-Line Shopping!
Check around and get a deal!
Thanks for leaving a comment!
-
Reply
- spirituality spirituality Jul 30, 2009 @ 10:31 am
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
- Reply
- Reply
- Reply
-
Reply
- kiwisoutback kiwisoutback Feb 19, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
- Ah, so that's how they do it...I haven't done this myself, but my wife was telling me about how she used to make her own suet cakes for birds. Nice work!
- Load More
Love This Lens?
Then please help me out with stars and stuff...thanks!
- Rate this lens:
- Email it
- Favorite it
- Lensroll it
Take a Second and Please Vote For This Lens
More Nature Lenses With Stand-Out Photography
-
New England Foliage
-
Happy Fall everyone! I am so lucky to be living in the middle of a beautiful painting! This is how I feel every Autumn as I drive or walk along the roads of my little New England town and the surrounding area. The colors begin to show up at the end...
-
Seashell Identification
-
Collecting seashells is a favorite pastime and everyone who has vacationed at the beach has most likely picked up some seashells at some point. Then there are the true collectors who search for the elusive Conchs and Jujonias. (The pink or queen con...
-
Growing Peonies and Other Blooms Fit to Photograph
-
I am a gardener and a photographer. Not an expert at either, but I enjoy doing both. Many photographers choose flowers as their subject matter and I guess it's no surprise since they are one of the most beautiful and yet fleeting images to capture....
You Must See This!! I Mean it!!!
This is not my lens, but I was truly amazed at the abilities of this bird!
Visit this lens to see a video of the Lyrebird. This amazing bird can imitate a camera shutter click, a car alarm, and a chainsaw to name a few. It's truly amazing to listen to this bird. It seems that he can mimic perfectly just about any sound he hears. So grab the kids (my 11 year old loved it!) and watch the video of this fantastic bird.
-
The Life of Birds
-
The Life of Birds is a fantastic 10-part documentary BBC televison series first broadcast in 1998. Narrated by David Attenborough, The Life of Birds contains some of the most memorable footage of bird behaviour ever seen, including many species never...
Baby Cardinals...Beautiful Photos and Great Information
-
The Cardinal's Nest
-
Every bird-watcher and most children recognize the male Northern Cardinal, a Christmas symbol, but many people know nothing about its nesting and courtship habits. Through the years, we have been able to observe and photograph most of the mating beha...
by dustytoes
By TwitterButtons.co... (more)
Explore related pages
Bird House Design, Plans- Information, tips and advice on building or buying birdhouses for wild birds. Th...
Bird Baths Cement Resin Copper Concrete Fiberglass- Often fresh, clean water is the most difficult essential for a bird to find. In...
Wild Bird Food - Types of Food for Wild Birds- Bird feeder types, which are best and what to feed wild birds.There are many sty...
The Cardinal's Nest- Every bird-watcher and most children recognize the male Northern Cardinal, a Chr...
Nest Box Trails for Bluebirds and Others- Lawrence Zeleny's book, the Bluebird How You Can Help Its Fight for Survival, al...
Carolina Wren's Nest- The little brown Carolina Wren pair with their perky tails and loud voice builds...
