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How to Make Suet Feeders With Gelatin

A suet feeder is a lump of birdseed that is held together with suet, or rendered lard. While suet feeders are attractive to birds, working with suet can be messy and unpleasant, especially if you are not used to working with animal fat. Gelatin provides you with a reasonable alternative to suet that still holds the birdseed together.

Things You'll Need

Thick cardboard
1 packet of clear gelatin
2 quarts of birdseed
Wire

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the cardboard into a circle that is 10 inches in diameter.
- 2
  Cut a circle out of the middle of the cardboard circle that is 4 inches in diameter. At this point, you should have a cardboard ring.
- 3
  Prepare the gelatin according to the instruction on the container. This creates a clear, thick gel.
- 4
  Stir 2 quarts of birdseed into the gelatin while it is still warm.
- 5
  Wait for the mixture to cool.
- 6
  Pick up a handful of the birdseed gelatin mixture.
- 7
  Mold it to the cardboard ring. The cardboard ring gives the gelatin suet feeder an attractive wreath shape.
- 8
  Allow the feeder to set for several hours, until the seed holds together and is firm to the touch.
- 9
  Loop a short strand of wire through the wreath and twist it together into a ring. This wire loop allows you to hang the feeder outside.

Animals & Science