MAKE YOUR OWN SUET BALLS FOR BIRDS

Suet Ball Recipe

By Engrid Winslow

During the long cold winter months, fat is extremely important for many birds to survive. The species that especially love suet are woodpeckers and flickers, chickadees, wrens, goldfinches, juncos, cardinals, robins, jays, blackbirds and starlings. Be aware that raccoons, squirrels and mice are also attracted to suet balls so be prepared to use baffles or place mesh over the balls to deter them.

Suet is raw fat and has also been used to make candles and Christmas pudding. You can get it from your butcher and ask him to grind it for you. Then it needs to be melted and strained to remove any solids. If you want to avoid the “ick” factor, you can substitute l cup lard or shortening. The birds will eat it plain but many recipes call for adding seeds, dried fruit or even insects to the mix. Many pet food and birding stores sell pre-made suet cakes but it is so much more fun to make your own in various shapes and hang them outside. If you are getting only starlings, hang the balls with a mesh around all sides but the bottoms. This will make it possible for all of the woodpeckers to hang upside down and eat while the starlings are baffled and confused. Place them near where you already have feeders with plain birdseed and watch the fluttery show!

Here are some methods and recipes for making the suet cakes or balls:

1 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 cup lard

2 cups quick cook oats

2 cups cornmeal

1 cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

Melt the peanut butter and lard and add remaining ingredients and cool.

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1 cup crunchy peanut butter

1cup shortening

1 cup flower

3 cups cornmeal

1 cup cracked corn

1 cup black oil sunflower seeds or mixed seeds

Melt the peanut butter and shortening, add remaining ingredients and cool.

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4 1/2 cups ground fresh suet

3/4 cup dried and finely ground bakery goods such as Whole-wheat or cracked-wheat bread or crackers

1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds

1/4 cup millet

1/4 cup dried and chopped fruit such as cranberries, currants, raisins, or other berries

1. Melt suet in a saucepan over low heat.
2. Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Allow the suet to cool until slightly thickened, then strain and stir into the mixture in the bowl. Mix thoroughly.
4. Pour or pack into forms or suet feeders or pack into pine cones.

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1/2 lb. fresh ground suet

1/3 cup sunflower seed

2/3 cup wild bird seed mix

1/8 cup chopped peanuts

1/4 cup raisins

1. Melt suet in a saucepan over low heat. Allow it to cool thoroughly, then reheat it.
2. Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Allow the suet to cool until slightly thickened, then stir it into the mixture in the bowl. Mix thoroughly.
4. Pour into pie pan or form, or pack into suet feeders.

Optional or substitute ingredients: millet (or other birdseed), cornmeal, cooked noodles, chopped berries, dried fruit.