bird food

Miss_Havisham

I bought a large tub of fat balls last year but they are so hard that the birds don't seem able to "eat" them - the 3 I put in the tree last winter had peck-marks but they never got any smaller. I don't think there is enough fat in them. I don't want to waste them.

So, I'm thinking about melting the remaining balls in an old saucepan, adding more fat to make them softer, setting them in moulds (old yoghurt pots) and putting them back in their little net bags for the tree.

Is this mad ? What sort of fat should I use - would lard be OK or should I use a vegetable fat ?

Thanks

Miss H

ljonski

lard is fine. You can microwave the originals for a few secs and mix with melted lard

TimBuckTeeth

Lard is OK. From the RSPB website - avoid vegetable fat or other types that may transfer grease to birds feathers.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whatfood/index.aspx

Cooking fat

Fat from cooking is bad for birds. The problem with cooked fat from roasting tins and dishes is that the meat juices have blended with the fat and when allowed to set, this consistency makes it prone to smearing, not good for birds' feathers. It is a breeding ground for bacteria, so potentially bad for birds' health. Salt levels depend on what meat is used and if any salt is added during cooking.
Lard and beef suet on their own are fine as they re-solidify after warming and as they are pure fat, it is not as suitable for bacteria to breed on.

Polyunsaturated margarines or vegetable oils

These are unsuitable for birds. Unlike humans, birds need high levels of saturated fat, such as raw suet and lard. They need the high energy content to keep warm in the worst of the winter weather, since their body reserves are quickly used up, particularly on cold winter nights. The soft fats can easily be smeared onto the feathers, destroying the waterproofing and insulating qualities.

Mrs_Arcanum

Miss_Havisham wrote: »

I bought a large tub of fat balls last year but they are so hard that the birds don't seem able to "eat" them - the 3 I put in the tree last winter had peck-marks but they never got any smaller. I don't think there is enough fat in them. I don't want to waste them.

So, I'm thinking about melting the remaining balls in an old saucepan, adding more fat to make them softer, setting them in moulds (old yoghurt pots) and putting them back in their little net bags for the tree.

Is this mad ? What sort of fat should I use - would lard be OK or should I use a vegetable fat ?

Thanks

Miss H

There are some solid shaped bird feeds that seem to have no fat at all which birds do not like.

However, they manage the big tub style fat balls here, but it is VITAL the green netting is removed as this can catch on the birds feet and trap them.

Very surprised you have not been inundated with Starlings though, as they love fat balls (I have trouble keeping up).

WaxiesDargle

let them eat cake

Waterlily24

Another one to say that lard is the best fat to use. I made some fat balls and used lard. Won't be making anymore though it worked out too expensive. lol

Miss_Havisham

Waterlily24 wrote: »

Another one to say that lard is the best fat to use. I made some fat balls and used lard. Won't be making anymore though it worked out too expensive. lol

lol, know what you mean ! I bought this big tub of fat balls because it looked like a real bargain but now I'm having to buy lard and spend time "modifying" them. I love to see the dickie birds squabbling in the trees though !

Miss_Havisham

Mrs_Arcanum wrote: »

There are some solid shaped bird feeds that seem to have no fat at all which birds do not like.

However, they manage the big tub style fat balls here, but it is VITAL the green netting is removed as this can catch on the birds feet and trap them.

Very surprised you have not been inundated with Starlings though, as they love fat balls (I have trouble keeping up).

thanks, hadn't thought of that. I'll thread some string through the "new" balls and hang them up without the netting.

Mrs_Arcanum

Miss_Havisham wrote: »

thanks, hadn't thought of that. I'll thread some string through the "new" balls and hang them up without the netting.

The very cheap open wire cages work well as a lot of fat balls crumble easily. I also use one of these to put nesting material in.

Alternatively pine cones are a good carrier for home made fat mix. Or a candle making mould is handy for getting the string in the middle without potential breaking.