My recipe for suet. We put up our suet feeders in October.
I make this suet specifically for the feeder I have – not for suet feeders that hold blocks. I do have two of those feeders – one is already in place and you can see it on the bird feeder cam. We will put the second one up when the weather gets colder – probably in December. Cleon buys blocks of suet for these feeders where he gets our jumbo bags of bird seed.
My dad made my suet log feeder for me by taking a good sized branch and cutting it to size – which in this case is about 20 inches long. He then drilled 5 holes into the wood – each one is 2 inches in diameter. I spoon this suet into these holes. The consistency of this suet is quite firm and once in the holes, it stays there with no problem – it does not drip or ooze. The lard and peanut butter adhere very well to each other and to the sides of each hole – and to your fingers. It is gooey.
The amount you make depends on how much you need. Although there are five holes in this feeder, I do not need a large amount. I always have some leftover which can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator until needed. In fall, I change this suet about once a week – and sometimes have to scrape some from the feeder as it is not always totally consumed. As the weather gets colder, I generally have to add suet every other day and the feeder is totally empty in that amount of time.
Since you make the amount you need, I will give you the recipe in proportions.
Ingredients:
Lard
Chunky peanut butter
Sunflower seed hearts (seed coverings removed – you can buy them this way)
Medium-sized bowl
Three serving spoons – 1 for the lard, 1 for the peanut butter, and 1 to stir.
The proportions are: 2 portions of lard to 1 portion of peanut butter. Add enough sunflower seeds so the birds will have a seed with every bite they take. Be generous. Just be sure all the seeds are within – or securely stuck into – the lard/peanut butter mixture.
- Lard is stored in the refrigerator. I take it out for at least an hour before using it – otherwise it is impossible to stir.
- I put two heaping spoonfuls of lard into the bowl.
- I add one heaping spoonful of peanut butter to the lard. Stir until thoroughly mixed. The mixture will be stiff.
- Add one generous handful of sunflower seeds. Mix it all together. Add more seeds, if needed.
- Spoon it into whatever feeder you are using. Use the back of the spoon to firm it into place.
Cleon and I both agree – woodpeckers LOVE this!