Birdseed Ornaments: Step-By-Step Instructions and Tips (2024)

FAQs

How do you make bird seed ornaments for birds? ›

To prevent mold from growing dry your ornaments thoroughly before hanging them outside. Another tips is to hang the ornaments outside when the temperature is close to freezing. If the ornaments are falling apart after being hung outside: Heat and rain will soften gelatin and make the ornaments fall.

Store bird feeder ornaments in an airtight container or zip-top back in a dry, cool place, away from moisture and heat. If stored correctly, birdseed ornaments will last for 4 to 6 months. Always check that older ornaments aren't spoiled before hanging them outside.

Bring the lard up to room temperature. Clean the pine cone(s) and tie a long piece of twine around the bottom of each one. Gradually mix the lard with the birdseed until it all sticks together. Push the fat ball mix between the pine cone scales to create a big, tasty fat ball.

Birds love energy-rich fat balls, which give them all the calories they need to get through cold winter days and nights. You can buy them in the shops but they're easy to make at home. Simply mix kitchen scraps such as cheese, cake crumbs and dry porridge oats with melted lard or suet, and set in the fridge overnight.

Store your seed in a cool dry spot: Once you have your seed in an airtight container, you will need to determine where you are going to place the seed. Temperature plays a major role in how long your birdseed will stay fresh. If the seed is stored at a temperature that is too warm, it will spoil a lot faster.

Bird seed ornaments are easy to make in your kitchen and are fun for kids to enjoy. Once the hungry birds have gobbled these up, you can always make another batch. Or, alternatively, you can freeze and thaw them for the dead of winter months that lie ahead.

Natural Christmas Ornament

"Paint a Styrofoam ball brown and push the caps in with a dab of hot glue," she says. Add some glue to the caps, embellish them with any color glitter to match your tree and top them off with ribbon and twine for hanging.

In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of seeds with 5 cups of compost and 2-3 cups of clay powder (you could use clay soil instead if you have it). Slowly mix in water with your hands until everything sticks together. Roll the mixture into firm balls. Leave the balls to dry in a sunny spot.

Can bird seed blocks get wet? ›

Although your birds may eat the wet seed it's important to remember why its crucial to keep your seed fresh and dry. To avoid the development of mould. When seed gets wet there is a chance after a while, especially if it is warm, that bacteria will grow and turn into mould.

If you have just started feeding birds, it will take a while for them to find your feeders – or if you've changed their location, as we advise doing every few weeks.

After sharing our popular recipe for homemade birdseed ornaments, we received dozens of requests for a gelatin-free birdseed ornament recipe. After 3 rounds of recipe testing, we settled on using agar agar, a plant-based gelatin substitute derived from seaweed.

Birds do need saturated fats in their diet – especially in the winter months – and butter can provide these. But just as too much-saturated fat can be bad for us, it can also be bad for birds. Butter should only ever be given to birds occasionally and in moderation. Using unsalted butter is essential for feeding birds.

Spread the peanut butter onto the cardboard roll using a knife. If your peanut butter is thick and a little tricky to spread, you may have to get your fingers messy and use them too. Make sure the peanut butter is spread thickly to cover the cardboard roll, otherwise the seed will not stick well.

BIRD SEED FAVOR RECIPE

In a large bowl mix the flour, water, gelatin & corn syrup until combined. Add all birdseed to the wet mixture at once. Stir until birdseed is coated well. Spoon birdseed mixture into cookie cutters, using the back of the spoon (fingers work, too) to press mixture down and pack it smoothly.

Place cookie cutters on a piece of parchment paper. Scoop the bird seed into cookie cutters, and using another piece of parchment paper, press the birdseed down. Stick a straw in the top of each filled cookie cutter to create a small hole. Set cookie cutters in the freezer for 20 minutes.

Heavy-duty plastic zip bags, sturdy plastic bins, and galvanized metal cans are popular bird seed storage containers. Larger containers on wheels, such as trash cans or coolers, can also be useful for storing birdseed.

Most birds don't need your help in the summer. When they are nesting and rearing their young, many birds focus on eating insects, so feeding is less necessary at those times. It is also important for young birds to learn how to find naturally occurring foods, so take a break from filling feeders in summer.

Should I bring my bird feeder in when it rains? ›

Move Feeders Before the Rainstorm Hits

The easiest way to protect your seeders and feed is to move them to shelter when it rains, if possible. Feeders that are on poles or stands should be placed under an awning, covered porch, or patio.

Shelled nuts, sunflower hearts and suet are all options that create less mess.” Look for feeders that have trays on the bottom to capture any debris. You can also consider installing a seed hoop.

Add a 3-4-inch layer of mulch below the feeders, then turn the mulch to bury debris where it can decompose out of sight. Replace the mulch seasonally to dispose of remaining debris. Allow feeders to remain empty for a day or two to encourage ground-feeding birds to pick up spilled seed and be their own cleanup crew.

Birds may not be picky eaters, but spoiled birdseed can be unhealthy and unappetizing. Not only will bad birdseed be less nutritionally wholesome for birds, but also if the seed is contaminated with mold, feces, fungus, chemicals or other substances, it can actually be fatal to birds.

Adding cayenne pepper or similar spices to birdseed can deter squirrels, but it can wash off and must be used consistently for the best effects." So with that in mind, I set out to purchase a product that can be mixed with the blends of Bird Seeds and to keep away the squirrels from the bird feeders.

While many people enjoy the sweet taste of corn syrup, it is not necessarily good for birds. In fact, corn syrup can be very harmful to birds, due to its high sugar content. When consumed in large quantities, sugar can cause liver and kidney damage, as well as problems with digestion.

You can make your ornament any shape you like, just be sure to cut a circle in the center so the birds can perch while they dine on bird seed. All you will need is some thin cardboard, peanut butter (the Audubon Society assures us that peanut butter is safe for birds), and bird seed.

Combine a ½ cup peanut butter, 3 T melted coconut oil, ¾ cup flour, and 3 cups mixed seeds in a mixing bowl. Spray your molds with cooking spray. On a baking sheet, add the mixture to your favorite cookie molds. Refrigerate the molds overnight.

Mix the birdseed with peanut butter or another natural binder. You could also use cookie cutters to make shapes. Just lay the cookie cutter on a piece of wax paper, fill the mold with the seed mixture, and let it set overnight. Make sure to “poke” a hole in the shape, prior to setting, so you have a way to hang it.

What holds bird seed cakes together? ›

Empty 1 package of unflavored gelatin into a bowl with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Let this sit for 1 minute. Add 1/3 cup of boiling water to the gelatin, stirring for a few minutes or until the gelatin is dissolved. This is the binder that keeps seeds together.

The simple answer to this question is yes, birds can eat jello. In fact, many birds enjoy eating jello and other gelatinous foods. For birds, eating jello can help to improve their plumage and increase their energy levels. In addition, jello is a good source of protein, which is an essential part of a bird's diet.

To create a feeding station for ground feeding birds, take a pie tin, punch some holes in the bottom of the tin and then place the tin on a platform of rocks or twigs. Fill the tin with seeds. You can also place this type of feeder on a table, tree stump, deck railing, or fence post.