Easy Suet for the Birds

by Ronna Farley in Outside > Birding

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Easy Suet for the Birds

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When I saw the Instructables "For The Birds Speed Challenge" I knew I wanted to make something that the wild birds in my yard could eat. I had done an Instructable not too long ago that I made bird seed heart ornaments to hang on the trees so I had to think of something else. I thought of suet. This is an easy recipe that contains some tasty ingredients you already have on hand! I know the birds in my yard will love eating them! Here is how you can quickly make suet for the birds in your yard.

What You Need:

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medium mixing bowl

spatula

small microwaveable bowl

silicone molds - I used donut shapes and sunflower cupcake shapes

Ingredients Needed

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1 cup quick cooking oats

1 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1/2 cup shortening

The Dry Ingredients

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Combine the oats, cornmeal, flour, and sugar in a medium sized mixing bowl.

Microwave the Shortening

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Melt the shortening in a microwave safe bowl on high (100%) power. This will take 30 to 45 seconds.

Add to the Bowl

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Add the peanut butter and the melted shortening to the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl.

Stir Well

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Stir to combine everything together.

Press Into Molds

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Press the mixture into individual molds. Put the molds into the refrigerator to harden for 2 to 3 hours.

Remove From Molds

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The suet cakes easily come out of the silicone molds.

Pretty Sunflowers!

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I think the sunflower shapes are very pretty!

Tie Ribbon

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If there is a hole in your suet like these donut shaped ones, you can tie them with ribbon to hang on your trees.

Hanging the Suet

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I tied this one in a red maple tree.

Another View

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Here are 2 that are hanging in another tree.

Suet in a Bird Feeder

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You can put the suet cakes into a bird feeder. Our birds love treats so I'm sure they will love eating my suet.

I hope you try making these. They were fun to make and you can enjoy watching your wild birds eating them!!