Activity: Cookie Cutter Suet Bird Feeder
There was a study done in October of 2022 that showed that bird watching, or even just hearing the calls of birds, can improve your mental well-being. This information compounds what we already know about nature feeding your soul in profound ways. Now we just have further proof!
During winter and early spring, birds’ food sources are still limited in many areas. So to supplement that, and hopefully reap some of the bird-watching benefits, let’s make an easy suet bird feeder!
Materials:
Roughly 1/2 cup wild bird seed - I prefer something with smaller seeds so that it all sticks together really well.
1 packet unflavored gelatin
Metal cookie cutter - I use cookie cutters that are at least 3 inches wide, and at least 1 inch deep.
Mixing bowl
1/4 cup hot water
Spoon
Straw
Cookie spray
Wax or parchment paper
Plate - I use a paper plate for easy cleanup.
Twine or ribbon to hang the finished feeder
STEP 1: Gather Supplies
If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know I always suggest gathering everything you need before you begin. I also highly recommend reading through all the steps before you start, just so you have an idea of the time commitment.
STEP 2: Dissolve Gelatin
Pour the 1/4 cup of hot water into your mixing bowl then add your packet of gelatin. Stir until completely dissolved. This may take a few minutes and may have some small chunks. The chunks are fine and will not compromise the final result.
STEP 3: Add Bird Seed
Once the gelatin is all dissolved, you can add the bird seed. Mix in a little at a time until the mixture is scoop-able. I’ve found that keeping the mixture on the “looser” side, where it’s slightly more moisture than seed yield the best results.
I had some draining of the excess gelatin but the shape remained.
Don’t worry too much about getting the mixture wrong. The worst case is that the gelatin doesn’t coat the seeds well enough for it to keep it’s shape. But you can still place it outside for the birds to enjoy. It’s a win-win!
STEP 4: Prep Cookie Cutter
After your gelatin and seeds are combined, let them sit for a few minutes to help the seeds soak up the moisture. This will help it to remain in the shape of your cookie cutter.
While it sits, cover your plate with parchment or wax paper and spray your cookie cutter thoroughly with cooking spray. These steps prevent any sticking when removing the bird feeder “cake” from the mold. Lay your cookie cutter flat on the parchment covered plate.
STEP 5: Fill Cookie Cutter Mold
Now you can scoop your seed mixture into the cookie cutter. I suggest placing your straw about 1/4 - 1/2 inch from any edge of your cookie cutter and scooping around it. This gap will be where you can thread ribbon or twine through to hang the finished feeder. It takes a little finesse but it works much better than trying to punch a hole after the fact, at least in my experience.
Be sure to pack the mixture in as well as you can so that the feeder keeps its shape.
TIP: Use an extra piece of parchment paper covered over the filled cookie cutter to press it in firmly without getting it all over your hands or it sticking to the spoon.
STEP 6: Let it Set
This is the part of the process that requires some patience. To let the gelatin set, you need to leave the mixture in the cookie cutter long enough to set. You can do this by leaving it out for 12 hours or overnight (I’d recommend overnight) or by placing it in the fridge for 3-4 hours. In my experience, using the fridge has yielded the best results.
STEP 7: Demold
Once the feeder is all set, you can carefully remove it from the cookie cutter mold. Hold the set bird seed mixture with one hand and slowly slide the cookie cutter up. If you lose a few seeds in this process, that’s okay. The birds don’t care how the feeder looks, I promise.
Then pull the straw out. String your twine or ribbon through the hole and tie it in a knot.
That’s it! Now you just have to decide where to hang it! Find a place near a window so you can watch them feast on their seed.
Enjoy your bird watching!
