How to Make a Molded Bird Seed Feeder

A molded bird seed feeder is easy to make.

A molded bird seed feeder, in which the bird feed itself is molded into the shape of the feeder, is a great project for children and adults to do together. Using common ingredients, a feeder can be made in a short period of time with little expense involved. Bird watching is a great pastime for many, so put out your feeder and watch them flock to your home.

Things You'll Need

• Suet
• Bird seed
• Pan or net bag
• Spoon
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Purchase packaged suet in grocery stores or butcher shops. Alternatively, suet can be made by chopping up beef fat, melting it on the stove, straining through cheesecloth, cooling and repeating the process. Multiple strainings are important. It is more difficult than simply purchasing suet, but may be a fresher option if that is desired.

2. Melt the suet in a pan over medium heat on the stove until liquefied. Suet may also be allowed to warm to a soft, lard-like state at room temperature. Using the softened state may be preferable for children to be able to mold bird seed feeders by hand instead of needing an adult to pour the hot liquefied fat into the molds for them.

3. Pour liquefied suet into a non-stick sprayed muffin tin, square pan or other mold. Sprinkle bird seed into the melted suet and use a spoon to spread seed throughout the mold. For softened suet hand molding: simply add bird seed to the softened mass of suet, mix by hand and shape into a log or ball.

4. Add a looped string to the pan, or to each muffin tin, with part of the string in the suet mix and part hanging over the edge. It may need to be taped to the side of the pan to keep it from falling out. The string will hang the molded bird seed feeder.

5. Place the pan with the suet and bird seed mixture in the refrigerator until hardened or put hand molded suet ball or logs on waxed paper and refrigerate.

6. Remove bird seed feeders from refrigerator. Turn molded feeder out onto waxed paper. Wrap in plastic wrap for refrigerator storage or hang immediately. Hand molded suet feeders can be wrapped for storage or placed in nylon mesh bags, like an onion bag, and hung up for the birds.

Tips & Warnings

• Nuts and berries can be added in addition to bird seed in suet feeders.

• Suet feeders tend to get rancid in warmer climates and may be best utilized in colder winter months.

References

• Bird Nature: "Suet: Facts, Feeders and Recipes"