How to Make Bird Seed Treats
Simple birdseed treats are easy to make at home using pinecones and a few kitchen ingredients. Attract chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches and more with these easy-to-create treats. Using this method, you can make as many treats as desired. The only limits are your time and how many pinecones you can gather.
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Things You'll Need
- Pinecones
- Thin wire
- Cornmeal
- Peanut butter
- Birdseed
- Large bowl
- Butter knife
Instructions
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1
Turn each pinecone upside down and wrap the wire around it, being careful not to break off any of the scales. Slip the wire under the second or third row of pinecone scales, and then bring it up to the bottom.
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2
Knot the wire at the bottom of the pinecone to secure, and leave 8 to 12 inches of wire for hanging. Tie the wire at the top to form a loop, or leave it as is and tie around a branch when completed.
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3
Combine one part cornmeal, one part birdseed and two parts peanut butter in a large bowl until thoroughly blended. Place the wire-wrapped pinecones onto a piece of wax paper to make for easier cleanup.
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4
Cover each pinecone with the birdseed mixture using the back of a spoon. Allow one or two rows of the scales to remain uncovered so the birds can land without getting their feet sticky. Use a butter knife to push the bird seed treat mixture in between the pinecone scales.
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5
Hang each pinecone birdseed treat from a low-hanging branch, a nail hammered into a post or anywhere else you want to attract birds to your yard. Then, sit back and wait for the birds to find their treats.
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Tips & Warnings
If a ready supply of pinecones isn't available, you can use corncobs instead or any other item that can hold the birdseed mixture. If thin wire isn't available, you can use strong twine or hemp to hang the birdseed treats. Try adding different ingredients to your birdseed treats to attract a variety of different birds. Add sunflower seeds, raisins or other dried fruits, or chopped mixed nuts. Anything you have on hand that might appeal to birds can be used in addition to or instead of birdseed.
References
- Photo Credit Paige Foster
