How to Make a Suet Bird Feeder Log

Suet bird feeder logs are a natural way to feed the birds that visit your yard or garden. Flickers, woodpeckers, titmice and chickadees will love eating suet from the log, and the perches often attract larger birds like bluebirds. You can render your own suet for the bird feeder log, or buy it pre-made.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small log, about 9 or 10 inches in diameter and 16 inches long
• Drill
• 1/4 inch diameter dowel or branches
• Screw-in hook

Render the Suet

1. Purchase enough beef fat from a grocery store or butcher to make 4 ½ cups of melted fat, or save enough from cooking until you have enough. Store it in the refrigerator.

2. Grind the fat in a meat grinder, or chop it very finely.

3. Melt the fat in a saucepan over medium heat. Be careful not to overheat.

4. Strain the melted fat through clean cheesecloth.

5. Allow the fat to cool until it is firm.

6. Heat the fat again and strain it. The suet won't harden if you don't render it two times.

7. Allow the fat to cool and harden.

Make the Log

8. Drill a 1 ¼ inch hole near the top of the log, making sure to drill clear through the log.

9. Turn the log a quarter turn and drill another hole through the log.

10. Drill a third hole lined up with the second hole.

11. Drill a fourth hole and line it up with the first hole. These holes are for the suet.

12. Drill a perch hole ¼ inch in diameter about ¼ inch below each suet hole. The perch holes should be about 1 ½ inch deep.

13. Cut a dowel or branch about 3 inches long and place one in each perch hole.

14. Fill the suet holes with suet. Screw the hook to the top of the log, and hang up the suet bird feeder log.