can you use lard to make bird feeders

Not cakes made of birds, but you know you what I mean! Those fat cakes with seeds and stuff mixed in – what fat should I be using? I tried making some last year using lard, but it set so hard I was afraid the poor birds would break their beaks on it – it was certainly left very untouched. Would suet be a better ingredient…..?

And while were at it, does anybody have any good fat cake recipes which have proved popular with the birds?

Sorry if there are already threads on this – please slap my wrist and point me in their direction if there are!

I’m not talking about bird cakes per se; I’m talking about those dense cakes with seeds and other ingredients mixed in. What kind of fat should I use? I attempted making some last year with lard, but it set so hard that I was afraid the poor birds would break their beaks on it; they left it very untouched. Would suet be a better ingredient. ?.

While we’re at it, does anyone know of any delicious fat cake recipes that are well-liked by birds?

I apologize if there are already threads on this; if so, kindly slap me on the wrist and direct me to them!

Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper while you wait. Binder clips help keep the parchment in place.

Making Bird Suet is pretty simple. After gathering the materials listed above, begin by gradually rendering your fat in a big pot.

For those who enjoy birds, this is a great winter project that’s also entertaining to work on with children. Many thanks to Michelle’s mother, Donna, for creating this tutorial and trying out the recipe.

Remove any cracklings from the fat after it has completely rendered, then allow it to cool slightly before adding your bird seed (not cooled enough to solidify). Add your bird seed to the lard and stir well. Spoon or pour your fat/seed mixture onto the cookie sheet with caution. To ensure the seed is distributed evenly, you might want to give it a quick stir. It must completely solidify before slicing and removing the fat from the pan. Do this overnight and/or in the fridge. After it has completely set, chop it to the proper size and use your suet in your bird feeder! To keep extra suet blocks fresh, we recommend keeping them in the refrigerator. View the following video tutorial to see each step of the procedure.

FAQ

Can you use lard for bird feed?

Birds love energy-rich fat balls, which give them all the calories they need to get through cold winter days and nights. You can buy them in the shops but they’re easy to make at home. Simply mix kitchen scraps such as cheese, cake crumbs and dry porridge oats with melted lard or suet, and set in the fridge overnight.

What kind of lard is used for birds?

True suet (or maybe true lard, though pork subcutaneous fat is often erroneously called “lard” – true lard also comes from the groin) is the only safe fat for birds. Make suets with true suet, millet and hulled sunflower seed, some oats, and peanut butter.

Is lard bad for wild birds?

Birds can’t digest salt and it will damage their nervous systems.” RSPB notes on nature – grease is the word, but not for the birds! Suet and lard used in bird cakes, suet balls etc is good! It’s fat that stays too soft that could be an issue.