SUET FOR WILD BIRDS 
Looking for a new and different method of feeding the Wild
Birds in your Backyard?
Suet has become one of the top three foods to feed wild
birds because of its rich source of heat and energy.
Suet is animal
fat, typically beef kidney fat, which is available at many meat counters. Suet also can be purchased as processed
cakes that include seeds, berries, nuts and other ingredients. Many quality suet cake manufacturers use a
special process that removes impurities that cause low melting point and
spoilage problems. The individually
wrapped cakes are convenient and less messy.
Suet is a
good choice for attracting insect-eating birds such as nuthatches and
woodpeckers.
The
following birds will feed at suet cakes:
woodpeckers wrens
bluebirds warblers chickadees nuthatches kinglets thrashers creepers cardinals starlings titmice mockingbirds robins jays
Suet is animal fat and is
the most concentrated source of energy you can offer wild birds. Because birds have high metabolic rates, it
is not unusual for birds to consume 1/4 to 1/3 their body weight worth of food
a day. Suet has become one of the top
three foods to feed wild birds to help them meet these needs.
Offering suet, mixed with
the highest quality grains, nuts, fruits, and flavored pellets provides a high
caloric energy source intake that aids wild birds during times of additional
energy needs such as nesting, breeding, feeding young birds, migration,
molting, and lasting through chilly winter nights.
The insect
eating birds that you attract will also reward you in the spring and summer by
eating unwanted insects in your garden.
All Year Long!
Cold winter months are a
good time to start feeding wild birds because of the scarcity of natural seeds
and insects. When you feed during the
winter, the birds are more visible because of lack of foliage on the trees and
bushes. Once attracted to your feeders,
you may be able to keep the birds coming throughout the warmer months. Birds typically eat most actively first
thing in the morning and again just before nightfall. After putting out the suet cake, birds will flit back and forth
to the suet for quick snacks during the day.
During the warm months,
birds will also welcome the energy rich suet cakes. In the past, it was suggested that suet be used only in colder
months to avoid spoilage or melting in higher temperatures. However, many new products are specially
processed for use in warmer temperatures.
Backyard Birds carries C & S Suet cakes and treats . C & S Treats are a poured product and
will become soft and pliable at around 100 degrees (F). C & S Delights are refined even further
and pressed to produce a “No Melt” suet that can be fed during the hottest
temperatures. These individually
packaged suet cakes eliminate messy home preparation and cleanup.
Suet is traditionally fed in vinyl-coated wire cages. They are inexpensive and
durable. Wire dimensions vary depending on how starling or squirrel resistant
you want your feeder to be. The cages, or baskets, hold from one to several
suet cakes. The cages may be hung from branches, tree trunks, or hooks. There
are also several designs available combining wire with wood or plastic, simple to decorative. Since most of the birds that are attracted
to suet usually cling to the bark of trees in search of insects, it is a good idea
to suspend the suet feeder in a tree close to the trunk, approximately 5 to 6
feet from the ground. Bottom feeding
suet feeders are available to discourage starlings from taking over your suet
feeder. These feeders require birds to
hang upside down, which is not convenient for starlings.
HOMEMADE SUET TREATS
There are some who prefer
to mix up their own suet mixtures for birds.
Some can be spread onto the bark of a tree, and others come out as a
homemade suet cake. When using these
home recipes, be sure to change often and check to see if it is spoiled, melted
or rancid.
Suggested Suet Recipe:
This
suet recipe uses leftovers and doesn’t seem to melt as easily in hot climates:
1
lb lard (not Crisco or shortening)*
1/2 - 1 Cup peanut butter
Approx 1/2 loaf of bread, or equivalent bread products such as donuts, plain
cake, buns, rolls etc.
1/2 Cup flour
1/2 Cup cornmeal
1 Cup sugar
1 finely diced apple, or other fruit **
(raisins, blueberries, etc)
1/2 Cup pecans (optional
*Beef
fat can also be used, but may be hard to find in some areas. Also the lard
doesn't smell up the kitchen so badly.
**Gather wild cherries and elderberries in season, freeze and use in the recipe
later.
Melt
the lard and peanut butter over low heat. Mix flour, cornmeal and sugar and
stir in. Add enough breadcrumbs to absorb all liquid. Add fruit and nuts as
desired.
Pour
into a 9 x 5" bread pan and keep refrigerated.
Put
out a slice every day, woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches, chickadees, wrens,
warblers and others love it.
Put
it in an "upside down" feeder so only clinging birds can get it,
otherwise the sparrows and mockingbirds can run all others off.
Increase the variety and
number of wild birds that visit your yard by adding a Suet Feeder. The antics of birds clinging and hanging
from a feeder adds amusement to your bird watching fun. Don’t forget the added plus of decreasing
the insects in your garden the natural way.
ENJOY the ENCHANTMENT OF
LIFE in your own BACKYARD! See our line of Suet Feeders and Suet Cakes at www.BackyardBIrdsandGardens.com HOMEPAGE |
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