About the Recipe
Suet balls are a popular treat for garden birds. They're typically made from a mixture of suet (animal fat), seeds, grains, and sometimes dried fruits. These balls are high in energy and provide important nutrients for birds, especially during colder months or when natural food sources are scarce.
To offer suet balls to garden birds, you can purchase them from pet stores or make your own. Homemade suet balls are relatively easy to make and allow you to customize the ingredients based on the birds you want to attract.
When offering suet balls to garden birds, place them in a suet ball feeder or wire mesh cage to prevent larger birds or squirrels from taking them all at once. Hang the feeder in a location that's easily accessible to birds but away from predators. Keep an eye on the suet balls and replace them if they become moldy or spoiled.
Different bird species may have varying preferences for suet balls, so observe which birds visit your garden and adjust the ingredients accordingly
Ingredients
1 cup of lard
1 cup of peanut butter
1/3 cup of sugar
2 cups of instant oats
2 cups of cornstarch
1 cup of flour
1 cup of wild bird seed
Optional: Dried fruits (such as raisins or chopped dried apples)
Preparation
Melt the lard and peanut butter together.
Add the sugar, instant oats, cornstarch, flour, and wild birdseed to the melted mixture.
Mix everything well until fully combined.
Let the mixture cool slightly so it thickens but is still workable.
Form the mixture into balls using your hands or molds. If using molds, place them in the refrigerator until they harden.
Once the suet balls are solid, they are ready to be hung or placed in bird feeders.
Feel free to adjust the ingredients or experiment with different seeds and nuts to cater to the preferences of your local bird visitors!
He who covers over an offense promotes love. - Proverbs 17:9