Homemade suet! I made a bunch of these up last night and I must say they look rather nice! They are gender-neutral and you don’t need to worry about personal tastes. Who doesn’t like to watch birds?
Suet generally comes from raw beef or mutton fat and is frequently made from the fat found around the loins and kidneys. It is rendered by heating the fat which results in the cooking off of the wax-like material.. aka Suet. Usually, grocery stores will sell chunks of raw fat labeled as suet, which can be cut into small squares and melted (rendered). If your local store doesn’t seem to offer it, you can use lard in its place.
Suet attracts many Types of birds, including woodpeckers, goldfinches, juncos, cardinals, thrushes, jays, bluebirds, and wrens. Purchase some empty suet cages; Walmart has them for $2 each. Next, mix up some homemade suet cakes with the following recipe:
Tried and True Homemade Suet
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 cups quick oats
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup lard or rendered beef or mutton fat
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
Mix lard and peanut butter in microwave or stovetop. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into square containers and store in the freezer. Makes 6-8 cakes.
(A note regarding the use of peanut butter, it’s not recommended to use on its own because it’s thought that it can get stuck in the beak of birds, but when used with other ingredients, it’s not an issue. Also, be sure the peanut butter does NOT contain Xylitol which is a sugar alcohol that is not safe for them.)
* I had some cracked corn and seeds that I pressed into the front of each cake for better visual appeal.
** The first batch I pressed into a 9 x 13 pan and cut to size. Afterward, I discovered that it’s much easier to find some Tupperware containers the size you need and press into the bottom of those.
I printed copies of the recipe and wrapped them with the suet filled cages. Both clean cellophane and large clear goodie bags work. The cellophane looks prettier since a lot gathers at the top. The bags are much easier. Top off with some pretty ribbon.
Don’t forget about making homemade gifts as well; If you’d like you can also add the following poem and tied it to the outside of the bag:
Carol of the Birds
A star rose in the sky
and glory from on high
did fill the night with splendor.
Came birds with joyful voice
to carol and rejoice with
songs so sweet and tender.
Came birds with joyful voice
to carol and rejoice with
songs so sweet and tender.The eagle then did rise,
went flying through the skies,
to tell the wondrous story,
sang, Jesus, born is he,
from sin we are set free,
he brings us joy and glory.
The sparrow with delight
said, This is Christmas night,
our happiness revealing.The sky with praises rang,
as finch and robin sang-
oh, what a happy feeling!
The lark upon the wing
said, Now it seems like spring,
no more is winter pressing;
for now a flower is born
whose fragrance on this morn
to earth brings heaven’s blessing.Sang magpie, thrush, and jay,
It seems the month of May
in answer to our yearning.
The trees again are green
and blossoms now are seen,
it is the spring returning!The cuckoo sang, Come, come,
And celebrate the dawn
this glorious aurora.
The raven from his throat
then trilled a festive note
to the unexcelled Senora.The partridge then confessed,
I want to build my nest
beneath that very gable
where I may see the Child
and watch whene’er he smiles
with Mary in that stable.
Old Spanish Carol from Catalonia
There you have it! Very inexpensive and you likely already have the ingredients at home. All you’d need to do is pick up the suet cages, which can be found at numerous places.
Credits: Originally Posted on our Budget101 Discussion List by Heidi. Photo Courtesy of Wildbirdfeeder.org
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