How to Make Bird Seed Blocks

Birds are an added attraction to the yard throughout the year. The bright colors and funny antics are a wonderful sight. Birds are a creature of habit and will come to the yard where they know a free meal is waiting. Suet blocks or seed blocks are a great way to attract many different species of birds. The contents will determine which birds will come to feast at the suet block.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 lb. solid vegetable shortening (lard can be used, if desired)
  • 1 16 oz jar of peanut butter (crunchy style is more desirable)
  • 1 cup birdseed
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins are great)
  • 6 cups cornmeal
  • 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
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Instructions

    • 1

      Grease and flour a 9x13 baking pan. This recipe makes several seed blocks that are cut into 4-inch squares to fit into the suet cages.

    • 2

      Melt the vegetable shortening or lard. It does not have to be hot. Just warm the fat until it is a liquid.

    • 3

      Stir in the peanut butter. Blend these two ingredients well. Add the dried fruit to the mixture. If the seed blocks are for smaller birds, cut the fruit into smaller pieces.

    • 4

      Add the bird seed. Sunflowers are great for larger birds. Bird seed blocks for the smaller birds can be made from wild bird seed or specialty seeds, like thistle.

    • 5

      Stir in the cornmeal. This should not be a cornmeal mix as birds can not digest milk products and most mixes contain some type of milk product.

    • 6

      Add enough flour to the bird seed block mixture to form a thick paste. The mass should be the consistency of cookie dough.

    • 7

      Spread into the baking pan. Press the mixture firmly into the pan. Let the seed blocks cool completely. Cut into 4-inch squares.

    • 8

      Store unused bird seed blocks in the freezer. Just put them into plastic storage bags and take out when needed. Save the bags for the next batch of seed blocks.