One of my greatest joys is feeding the birds and other critters in our backyard! In the past, I always just purchased bird suet from the store, but my oh-so crafty pal Marlene shows us how to make Homemade Bird Suet in just a few easy steps using items you probably already have on hand!
Here is what you wlll need for basic suet (this recipe the woodpeckers just love):
- 3 ½ c Bacon Grease
- ½ c Peanut Butter
- 1 ½ – 2 c Oats (uncooked)
- 1 ½ c – 2 c Corn Meal
- ½ c Dried fruit (raisins, cherries, etc.)
- A pan to spread it out on to firm up
This recipe is so flexible with the measurements that you can do according to preference.
:: STEP 1
Melt the bacon grease and peanut butter in the microwave for 1-2 mins, or on stove top until it is liquid.
:: STEP 2
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix. It should resemble the consistency of slightly thicker than cake batter.
:: STEP 3
Spread it out in a pan that will allow it to spread out so that when it is firm it will be thin enough to fit into your Suet cage or holder. I give the pan a jiggle to help it even out and get rid of any air pockets.
:: STEP 4
Put the whole thing in the freezer on a flat surface for a couple hours. When it is frozen use a metal flat spatula to pop it out of the pan onto a cutting surface. I go around the edges first to loosen it up and it usually pries out in one big chunk no problem.
:: STEP 5
Get a ruler and mark it about every 3 inches and cut it in to squares.
:: STEP 6
Now wrap them in sandwich bags or plastic wrap and put in a freezer bag. They keep a long time, but we go through them too fast with all of the birds here. They don’t taste good to people but the woodpeckers and other birds LOVE them.
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