How to Make a Peanut Butter Log Bird Feeder

Outdoor birds need to know where their food will be coming from before the harsh winter begins. You can attract many types of birds that will seek winter refuge in your yard if you provide them with a food source. A peanut butter log will attract these winter residents and provide them with nourishment. Suspend the log from a tree that can be viewed from one of the windows in your home, and you will be surprised by the different bird species that drop by.

Things You'll Need

• Thick log
• Drill
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• 1-inch drill bit
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup lard
• 6 cups wild bird feed
• Microwave
• Mixing bowl
• Blender
• Spoon
• 1/4-inch dowels
• Sturdy eye hook
• Wood glue

Instructions

1. Begin by finding a thick tree branch that you can use as your feeder. Searching for the perfect tree branch will give you good reason to get out and enjoy the fresh autumn air, so take your time. A branch that is approximately 4 inches in diameter and 15 inches in length works perfectly.

2. 

   Drill two holes on all four sides of the log. The holes should be of equal distance apart, and about 1 inch in diameter each. Below each of the larger holes, drill a smaller hole that is approximately 1/4 inch. The smaller holes will be for your dowels, which will act as perches for feeding. The larger holes will be packed with a peanut butter and seed mixture that will be a tasty treat for the visiting birds.

3. 

   Cut your dowel into 5-inch pieces that will be inserted into the log to make perches. Attach each one of the dowel pieces by filling the smaller holes with wood glue and then inserting them into each of the glue-filled holes. Allow the glued dowels to dry thoroughly.

4. Melt 1/4 cup of lard in a microwave-safe bowl, and place it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove it carefully when done and add to 1/2 cup peanut butter in a mixing bowl. Blend the two together with a hand blender. Add 5 cups of wild birdseed to the mix and blend with the peanut butter and lard, using a spoon. Allow it to cool.

5. Stuff the peanut butter mix into the larger holes of the log. Try to stuff as much as you can into each hole, making it compact. Keep adding the peanut butter until all of the 1-inch holes are fully packed.

6. Screw a sturdy eye hook into the top of the log, and attach a piece of wire to it for hanging on your desired tree.

Tips & Warnings

• If you notice that some of the holes are becoming empty of peanut butter, you can always make more of the mix and add it to the log.

• Experiment with different kinds of seed, to entice different species of birds.

• Be very careful when handling the heated lard to avoid being burned.

• Make sure the peanut butter mixture is completely cooled before handling.