A dear friend advised me to sell this recipe....but after much thought and a few requests I decided I should share it for free.
It took me a couple of years of trying different combinations to come with a recipe that would appeal to a wide variety of songbirds here in Northwest Georgia.
Jean's Homemade Bird Cakes
Ingredients
About 2 cups of Lard (I only use the Armour)
About 1/2 cup Chunky Peanut Butter
About 2 cups of quick-cooking Oatmeal
About 2 cups of Cornmeal (I prefer the yellow and plain)
About 1 cup of Whole Wheat Flour
Melt the Lard (I do this in a big mixing bowl in the microwave.) and stir in the Peanut Butter until it has melted. Next add the Oatmeal and stir until blended....then add the Corn Meal and Flour.
When all is well blended spoon or pour into containers...such as the plastic forms that come with the store brought suet cakes. A muffin pan will work and other containers as long as you consider the size of your suet feeder.
Then you put the cakes in the freezer. Once they are firm they will easily slip out and are ready for your birds to enjoy.
You really can play with this recipe. If I am out of flour I just up the corn meal. The birds don't seem to mind. One friend in NC adds breakfast cereal to the mix and has great success. So you may find that the birds in your region loves it with seeds or bits of fruit. One reason I like using Lard instead of Beef Suet is that as long as the feeders are in the shade the cake will not melt when our temps reach the 90's and above. Plus the Lard is easier for small billed birds to nibble. I allow some of the mixture to cool enough and I stuff it into my Log suet feeder. I have tried making it stiffer so it will crumble for Eastern Bluebirds. It did disappear but I was unable to see the bird(s) who ate it.
Here are just a few of the many species of birds that visit my suet feeders.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Brown Thrasher
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Downy Woodpecker
Pine Warbler and House Finch
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Cardinal
Of course the Carolina Chickadee and Tufted-Titmouse think these cakes are tasty too. I hope I have convinced a few birders to start making your own bird cakes. Birds that don't like the ones you buy in a store love the homemade ones!
Peace, Health, Wealth, and Love to All!
Looks like it bird tested and bird approved!! Im writing this down--
ReplyDeleteI've been buying suet cakes in the store but have been wanting to try and make my own. Thanks for sharing your recipe for them. You get quite a nice selection of birds and your photos are all wonderful. Hopefully I can start attracting a bigger variety to my yard
ReplyDeleteSounds easy, I'll have to give it a try someday. Love all the bird photos, you have a nice variety in your yard.
ReplyDeleteSondra, Yep has been bird tested.:)
ReplyDeleteAnn, Just be patient. They will find the goodies.
Eileen, These cakes are very easy to make. Yes, I am very blessed in the bird department.
I'm going to try it Jean. I've been buying it. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteBy all the birds visiting your feeders,I think you have a winning combination in this recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I'm sure my birds will thank you too. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jean, that's very similar to my recipe. I always add raisins or fresh fruit to mine, too.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely of you to share your wonderful bird recipe. They are extremely expensive in the shops and I know from experience that some of them are so poor that the birds in my area do not appear to be attracted to them. As you say withy your own version at least the quality of the bird food is more likely to be sort out by the local birds!
ReplyDeleteI am being pestered by my cat at the moment who is poking me with her paws so must stop to find out what ever is the problem!!!!!!!!!!
Gary, You must let me know how the birds in Canada like it.
ReplyDeleteRuth, I haven't had any complaints.:)
Lin, Please let me know your results.
floweringmama, I had a feeling ours were very similar. Thanks for sharing what you add to the mix!
Polly, Once I was so dang busy I had to buy a suet cake from a store. It molded before the bird finished it and I had to toss it. I learned from this and now make sure I have a good supply on hand.
I do relate to being pestered by a kitty since I have 2 inside-only cats.:-D)
Hi Jean, finally got hooked up to follow your blog. Good to see you on vgardening again. I have finally started a blog also come join me.
ReplyDeletehttp://wildernessgrowingandcooking.blogspot.com/
You know, Jean, I envy you! :-) I would love to have a birdfeeder ouside but with all the pigeons around here it's truly impossible...
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing!!! i can't wait to try it this weekend! wooohoooo!!
ReplyDeletehave a great week!
Wilderness, It is about time you started a blog! I am there! It was fun to post again on the Veggie forum.:-D)
ReplyDeleteJM, Maybe one day you will be able to have feeders for songbirds.
You are Welcome Birdchick76!:)
Great recipe Jean. I have to give it a try. I also printed it out for my father-in-law. He makes his own now. And of course I am envious of all those beautiful birds in your yard.
ReplyDeleteLoving the first woodpecker, great recipe. Your wee feathered friends are lucky to have you Jean, the birds are better fed than me!!
ReplyDeleteRuss, Please keep posted on how well the cakes work for your and your father-in-law's birds.
ReplyDeleteRyan, Well...you poor man. You need some help with your diet. Hahaha!
thid birdhouse helps you a lot...great images...great different angles
ReplyDeleteWow Jean, lots of our feathered friends like your suet. I make mine about the same, but I do add mealworms, Bluebirds love it
ReplyDeleteCimpoaca, I know you meant to write "bird-feeder".:) Thank-you!!!
ReplyDeleteGayle, I have thought about adding mealworms. You have just convinced me to do it. Thanks!