If you like to watch birds hanging around in your backyard, lure them in with some peanut butter and bird seed.You can put peanut butter on a pinecone, roll it in bird seed, and hang it outside.If you want to make a peanut butter and bird seed suet mix, you can either freeze it or serve it on a hanging plate.
Step 1: Purchase 3-6 pinecones.
There are lots of openings to press peanut butter into pinecones that are in one piece.Depending on where you live and what time of year it is, they may be easy to find on a nature walk.You can buy them at a craft store.If you collect your own pinecones, wipe the dirt and debris away.If the pinecones are wet, leave them in a dry place for a few days.If you buy pinecones, make sure they are free of chemicals.All-natural pinecones are good for you.
Step 2: The string should be tied to the top of each pinecone.
If the pinecone has a sturdy stem, knot the string around it.Tie the string against the interior of the pinecone by feeding it underneath the scales.It will be easier for squirrels to access the pinecones if you use lengths of string shorter than this.
Step 3: The workspace should be covered with newspaper or wax paper.
Adding peanut butter to pinecones is not easy.It is possible that the pinecones will scratch up your work surface.This is a great activity for kids to help out with, but make sure you have the right supplies.
Step 4: Slather each pinecone with peanut butter.
The peanut butter should be pressed into the gaps between the pinecone's scales with a small spatula or butter knife.Spread peanut butter over the pinecone.Load it on, be shy here.It's best to use creamy peanut butter here.
Step 5: Place a layer of bird seed on the bottom of the pie pan.
The bottom of the pan should be covered with a thin layer.You can use any type of bird seed.If you want to attract a specific type of bird, look for a bird seed that is better suited for that bird type.There are online recipes for making your own bird seed mix.
Step 6: Once the peanut butter is fully coated, roll each pinecone.
The pinecone should be rolled back and forth in the pie pan until the peanut butter has bird seed in it.As you coat the pinecones, add more bird seed to the pie pan.Kids love this part of the job, just be prepared to sweep up lots of spilled bird seed.
Step 7: If you want to use the pinecones later, hang them right away or freeze them.
Hang the coated pinecones from tree branches.It will take a while for the birds to show up.Place the pan in the freezer if you don't want to put the pinecones out right away.You can hang them from the freezer.
Step 8: Corn cobs and toilet paper tubes are pinecone alternatives.
No pinecones?No problem!Save the kernels-free cobs after serving corn on the cob.For 1-2 days, leave them in a sunny spot.Hang them outside with peanut butter and bird seed.Save the tube when you finish a roll of toilet paper.Put a hole in it and coat it with peanut butter and bird seed.If you coat it with peanut butter and bird seed, you can slide the tube over the tree branch.
Step 9: Put 1 cup of peanut butter and 2 cups of bird seed into a container.
You can use either peanut butter or bird seed mix.Stir the ingredients in a bowl with a spoon or spatula.If you use thick peanut butter, put it in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time.Any bird feed cake that combines fats and seeds is usually called suet.
Step 10: For the fastest option, add the mixture to a serving plate.
At 12 o'clock, poke holes in a dinner plate.Cut 4 pieces of string.Tie an end of each string to the plate and tie the other ends together above it.The mixture should be spread in the center of the plate.The plate can be hung on a tree branch.For the remainder of the mixture, make 1-2 more serving plates.
Step 11: If you want to make suet cakes, you need to freeze the mix.
Place the pan on top of the wax paper.If you want your suet mix to fit into your cage, use a spatula or your hands to shape it.Until the cake is frozen solid, pop the tray into the freezer.A suet cage is a wire cage with a chain hanging from tree branches.You can get one at any store that sells bird seed.
Step 12: Put the frozen cake in your suet cage and hang it outside.
Remove the frozen block of suet from the wax paper and put it inside the cage.Hang the cage from a tree branch or gutter.Birds will thank you.If the squirrel keeps eating the suet cakes, hang the cage from the free-standing bird feeders that are placed into the ground well away from overhanging tree branches.