I think the plain old beef suet is the best thing to put out. The birds love it while the squirrels and starlings leave it alone.
Hi MaryAnn, enjoyed your "homemade suet" post!! lol! I make a sort of homemade suet for the wp's. I get the store bought suet and mix it w/ chunky peanut butter and let it harden in the fridge. I sometimes add egg and the grease from the eggs when you fry or cook eggs in a pan. The wp's and other birds like that pretty well. I just came up w/ it on my own. They especially like the store bought suet w/ the berries and nuts in it. My Amish landlord told me about adding eggs to the suet.
- Marg, Lanc.Co., PA
I saw beef suet in the grocery store in package of 2 round balls. It also had birdseed added to it. It was priced by the lb. but can't remember exactly how much per lb. I don't know if it's a good seller or not. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it once and see if the birds would eat it. I have some plastic mesh bags I could hang it in. Will check it out again next time I go to the store. I use store bought suet now. Tractor Supply has it 10 suet cakes for $7.00 advertised this week. I was there the other day but didn't even pay attention to see if it was on sale there......was concentrating on some birdseed I wanted! LOL
Let every day be a good day!
Maybe I will give beef suet a try now that the temps are cooling down. I have only offered the lard/mix homemade cakes and the store bought suet cakes.
Marg, I have never heard of adding eggs to homemade cakes. I have heard of offering plain scrambled eggs and none of the birds here was interested.
Jean ~ Taylorsville, Georgia
http://jean-livingsimple.blogspot.com/
What do you find works best in GA? Also, do we need to be more careful about mold on the suet? I changed mine out about every week. Is that often enough?
Birdbug don't feel bad. Years ago when I first started out feeding the birds, and everyone was ranting and raving you had to made your suet it was the only way, Well I also tried several different recipes that people claimed was tried and true. Well no takers, The stuff ended up getting taken down and thrown. lol I now in the hot months just purchase the no melt blocks and in the cold weather and throughout winter now, I go to my local butcher and get just the regular suet from them. And finally they love both, I have many WP and it is alot cheaper and for sure alot less work.
claudia99: What do you find works best in GA? Also, do we need to be more careful about mold on the suet? I changed mine out about every week. Is that often enough?
Hi Claudia, I have only had a problem with mold on store bought suet cakes. I now make my own using Lard,peanutbutter,oatmeal,cornmeal and flour. The birds at my place eat it quicker than the store bought so I guess it doesn't have time to get moldy during our humid weather. I'm not sure if you need to change the suet more often. Since, I have to refill twice a week. I do check for mold daily. Maybe someone else will know for sure.
Are you enjoying our beatiful weather?
Hmmm I always make my own suet. lard, bacon fat, pb, apples, corn meal and corn flour. I also throw other stuff in when I have it. Oatmel, unsweetened cereal, raisins, oranges, etc. I can't keep up with them sometimes especially the hosp and starlings!! I also use beef suet in one feeder and mostly woodpeckers go for that. I guess we all have to figure what works best for each.
I like to only put suet out in the winter time. That way less chance of mold and spoilage happening. I figure the wp's can eat the boss in the other feeders if they want to or go off and find their natural food. i guess I must be the only one here in b/w who doesn't put out the suet during the warmer weather and summer months.
--Sunshine
"Birds are born to have wings; wings are symbols of freedom."
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