Things to Make With Bird Seed

With the right ingredients, bird seed can be molded into a variety of different things, allowing custom treats to be created for wild and pet birds. Among the items that can be made with bird seed are homemade bird feeders, bird treats and even treats for other animals such as squirrels.

  1. Suet Feeders

    • Create suet feeders for birds from rendered fat, bird seed and other additives, such as sunflower seeds, nuts and dried fruit. Suet can be purchased from a butcher shop or it can be made at home through the heating and straining of fat trimmings. Mix ingredients together in large batches, then fill different containers with the mixtures of fat and fillings. Twine can be run through the container to create a hanger for the homemade suet feeders. Experiment with different fats and fillings to create suet feeders from scratch. Once feeders are allowed to cool and solidify, they can be used immediately or stored in the freezer for future use outdoors.

    Squirrel Treats

    • Create squirrel treats using materials similar to suet feeders for birds, but change ingredients to suit squirrels. Squirrels do like many of the same seeds, fruits and nuts that birds eat, but their treats should be geared toward their dietary needs and can include other items. Shelled nuts and larger pieces of fruit can be incorporated into these treats, and honey can be used to seal everything together. Form treats into small balls and once cooled, arrange them in a bowl or dish for squirrels to take home.

    Pine Cone Feeders

    • Begin with large-sized pine cones, dipping them either in the rendered fat from the aforementioned suet feeders or in another sticky substance such as honey. After dipping, roll pine cones in a large dish filled with the same seeds, nuts, berries and dried fruit used in the other treat strategies. The treats will stick to the pine cone while the honey or suet hardens, creating a feeder that can be hung from a tree or set in a dish, offering plenty of choices for birds, squirrels and other animals.

    Tasty Treats

    • The birdsnways.com website (see the link in Resources) offers plenty of other ideas, including recipes of treats that birds and other animals will enjoy. Among the snacks are peanut butter Cheerios, birdie popcorn and buddy bars made of bananas, raisins, chunky applesauce and peanut butter.