How Make Suet

Woodpeckers are just one of the birds that is drawn to suet feeders.

Suet typically refers to a suet cake, which is bird food held together by beef fat or lard. It is a high-energy food for birds, and it brings many birds to your yard. Chickadees, towhees and woodpeckers are just a few of the birds that are drawn to suet feeders. Mixing up suet for the birds in your area is a straightforward task, and it is a good way to feed your local birds during the winter months.

Things You'll Need

• Pan
• Stainless steel bowl
• Suet or lard
• Peanut butter
• Birdseed
• Unsalted nuts
• Onion bag

Instructions

1. Melt 1/2 pound of suet in a pan until it has a soft, runny consistency.

2. Pour the suet into a stainless steel bowl.

3. Add 1 cup of creamy peanut butter to the mix.

4. Add 1 cup of birdseed and 1 cup of unsalted nuts.

5. Stir the mixture until it is thoroughly mixed.

6. Wait until the mixture is cool enough to handle.

7. Mold the mixture with your hands into a solid, compact lump.

8. Place the mixture in the refrigerator until it is hard.

9. Place the lump of suet in an onion bag and hang it outdoors.

Tips & Warnings

• You can get suet from your local butcher's shop.

• Avoid using suet to feed birds in the summer, as it tends to go rancid very quickly.

References

• Attract Wild Birds; Making Suet for Wild Birds
• Bird Nature; Suet: Facts Feeders & Recipes