Make Your Own Bird Food: Suet & Seed Mixes
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"With the temperatures rising, I’ve noticed my birds are eating more, and I’m running out of bird feed much faster. Is there something I can make that’s safe for them to eat in 100+ degree weather, won’t spoil, and won’t make them sick?
Not knowing what part of the country you are in or what type of birds you are feeding, it is difficult to be precise. It can get expensive, for sure, but when it comes to appeal, benefit, and weather-toughness, there isn’t much of anything that outperforms seeds.
Here are some tips from the National Wildlife Foundation and the Audubon Society:
https://blog.nwf.org/2024/01/year-round-bird-feeding/
https://www.audubon.org/news/how-help-birds-beat-heat
Can I just roll the suite in round balls and smash them, and put them in the suite cage.
That certainly is one way to do it, Cheryl!
With the temperatures rising I've noticed that my birds are eating a lot more and I'm running out of bird feed a lot faster... Is there anything that I can make that is safe for them to eat in 100 plus degree weather that won't make them sick and won't go bad??
Hi, Hannah. It’s difficult to know what to give the birds when the weather gets so hot and things melt and go rancid so quickly. We would suggest supplementing your bird seed mix with crushed peanuts (do not leave them whole). You can just mix it in with the seed you are already using.
As thoughtful as it is to make suet, pine cones or any object they land on must be free of fats. If u use a pine cone stick a dowel through it for them to perch. If not the oils will cause hypothermia.
Old corn cobs work well in place of pine cones, lather them with chunky peanut butter and pour bird seed on them; you can run an eye screw into one end to make an easy hanger. It will keep a squirrel busy for a while and out of your bird feeder.
I am looking for a homemade recipe to make orange suet
We have been feeding the birds in our little apartment backyard in Central Valley, CA for 10 years now. I can't quite figure out the suet better so they'll eat it. Our regulars our squeaky, bossy blue jays, dark eyed juncos, double crested sparrows, and the ubiquitous mourning dove. We have definitely seen a reduction in their populations and variety, so sad. Happy birding, all!