My aunt's recipe also called for peanut butter, but her measurement called for "as much peanut butter as you can afford". I always got a kick out of that. When you put out the bird food, toss a handful of pecans on the ground.
Then everyone eats!! I strongly recommend using gloves for handling. Spread it wherever you are having your squirrel issues. I feed everything in my backyard, I do not have likes and dislikes when it comes to "babies", so I observed in time that as long as there is enough food placed in easy to reach spots for each type of my guests, there is peace, polite sharing and friendly cohabitation between species!
Big birds eat with small ones, squirrels and birds do not bother each other! And I developed a different attitude, a form of admiration and unbelievable awe for squirrels since I had the chance to raise a red squirrel baby couple of years ago, so now I can understand their ways better!
Happy times to all of you! Some years ago I read on a birding site that you shouldn't use commercial suet cakes or add fruit, nuts or anything else to the cakes you make yourself. It's the fat that the birds need during this time and any additives just take up room that would be better served by stuffing the cage with straight suet. You can always broadcast the seeds or get a feeder.
You can generally get chunks of suet at the butcher's or super market. They've started charging a lot more lately, but, then, everything's gone up. I had a problem with raccoons stealing my bird food and feeders.
In desperation, I coated the pole the feeders hang on with vicks vaporub. It seems to work, I don't have a problem with them now. I just refresh the vicks every so often. Please use sturdy wire cages. Birds can get tangled up in the flimsy mesh bags like ones used got onions.
Many people mention adding cayenne to suet to deter squirrels, but no one says how much to use. As a for instance, how much cayenne powder would be effective for the above recipe. Teaspoon s?
Tablespoon s? A quarter-cup? I tried cayenne one season and found it had no effect on squirrels at all. Relocated 14 grays that season. Seems they finally got the message and now keep their distance from my porch and feeders.
I have one red left. They are very crafty but the rest of the grays keep their distance now. I agree. You read all over to add cayenne to your birdseed to deter the furry little beasts. Personally, I think they like it as a seasoning for the seeds. Even if I cover the sunflower seeds with the stuff the squirrels and chipmunks still munch away. This is a great, simple recipe for bird lovers who enjoy making their own suet cakes. We use the You Do It Suet silicone mold to create our suet cakes.
We just pour excess fat right from the pan into the silicone mold, mix in bird seed, nuts, fruit, etc. Then release a perfectly sized suet cake to fit into your feeder. Make sure the feeder is at least 5 feet off the ground. Is your suet hung from a pole? If so, try installing a baffle cone on the pole at least 4 feet off the ground ; make sure the pole is away from trees or buildings.
Found at garden centers and wildlife stores, or online, these prevent squirrels and other animals from climbing the pole and reaching feeders. Some gardeners take in the suet feeder at night, and clean up any food that falls on the ground each day. In your comment, you state that the petroleum jelly gets on the birds feathers and they can't get it off easily.
Would you please provide any references regarding this? Thank you. All the ingredients worked together really well. I knew the real test would be seeing if the birds would actually eat their homemade meal. I sliced the bigger brick into smaller, manageable cakes. Next, I loaded up the first feeder, anxious for its first visitor. The first taste-tester came in the form of a black-cap Chickadee and it passed muster, judging by the many chunks missing.
A Chickadee was the first to investigate the new addition. After a few pecks at the cake, the Chickadee flew off to a higher perch to eat her fresh breakfast. A Bluebird was the next to scope it out and then a House Finch swooped in for a nibble too. I am so happy that my little feathered friends approve and my budget is intact.
Sorry girls, but this meal really is for the birds … and they love it! When winter comes, a lot of wild birds are helpless, what a wonderful treat would this be for the many hungry birds that fly to and fro in search of food! Fatty food is really good for them. Just getting start feeding bird to give interesting subject for my mo that get out side this great thank you. Just made this for the first time. Fortunately I was able to look it up.
A combination of butter and suet creates both the flavor and texture you would want in sweet pie crusts, but for a rustic meat pie suet alone would be more appropriate.
You can use a suet alternative in your cooking , but you may not get quite the same results as you would get from the real thing. Still, there are some decent substitutes that will get you close. Some recipes recommend using frozen butter as a substitute for suet, but this is risky as the butter melts much faster than suet and your dish will become greasy and heavy.
If you can't find suet or you just don't want to use it, try shortening instead. One of the advantages of using vegetable shortening is that it is suitable for vegetarian dishes.
Before using it, freeze the shortening until it is very firm. Once frozen, grate on a large holed grater so you get more chunky pieces. Once grated, freeze again and only use when you are ready to mix into your recipe. You can also pulse the frozen, grated shortening in a food processor which will clump the shortening and again, more resembles real suet. Use your frozen, grated shortening as you would in any recipe calling for suet.
You can also make the alternative suet in advance and keep it frozen in bags in the freezer if you are going to use it regularly. It will only keep for a month or two at most. The British term both their savory dishes and desserts as "pudding". I made my own See Rock City bird house by upcycling an old vintage toy.
I made my own suet cakes yesterday, used beef suet rendered down which is super easy, but takes more time. You get a good product, and a natural fat for the birds.
So I replaced both the Crisco and peanut butter quantities with some leftover bacon grease I had. The birds love it! I used a large casserole dish as a mold, and put parchment paper in the bottom before pouring. Left it to freeze for an afternoon and then cut squares with a knife. Worked great! The parchment paper is now between the squares for easy separation when a new portion is needed. I like to use lard made from pork fat. And dried berries is a big hit with the birds in the mixture as well.
I had no idea about a backyard bird count either! Sounds like a great recipe! Happy merrymonday Kim. This would be a great way for me to get the grands involved in feeding the birds. I love to watch the birds! The birds devour it! Our birds love it when I cook for them too. Sharing is caring! This article contains affiliate links. What Is Suet? Tree Sparrow eating suet What Types of Birds Eat Suet Insect eating birds such as; woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, jays, starlings and titmice enjoy chowing down on suet.
When To Make Suet for Birds Because Bird Suet is made by melting fat and adding some goodies to it and then solidifying again, it will melt in heat. Tip If you use a large pot, you can mix all of the ingredients without needing another container, for easier clean up. Step 3 Spray your container with non-stick spray prior to adding the finished mixture.
Step 4 Add your filled containers of suet to the freezer. To make the rope suet you will need three things: Small rope Deep Plastic container Homemade Suet Prepare you plastic container by placing a piece of rope inside all the way to the bottom. Prep Time: 15 minutes.
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