Fat Balls . . . (Updated with a small cofession & photos)

SarahLee

SarahLee

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. . . and no that's not an insult directed at anyone in particular :D

With the cold weather coming, it seems like the right time of year to start thinking about getting some more food out for the birds. And if I can entice more of them into the garden I might even get a chance at photographing them.

This Winter I fancy having a go at putting together some home-made fat balls (the shop bought ones all look a bit rubbish).
Loads of recipes on the internet, but does anyone have a favourite recipe that's worked for them in the past and that they'd like to share?
 
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Depends what your after. Last year we tried sunflower seed hearts and hen corn, and ended up with mainly blackbirds and starlings. All the tits and finches went for the seed feeders with just mixed seed in.

This year not sure what to try, probably the same if we get anything as I think some kestrals have moved in to the box I put up a couple of years ago.
 
Sarah, please please take care as to what fat you use. I have read recently that some of the fat we use are dangerous to the birds.

The RSPB website will probably give you some guidelines.
 
Found this on the RSPB website....

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.
 
cw318is said:
Depends what your after. Last year we tried sunflower seed hearts and hen corn, and ended up with mainly blackbirds and starlings. All the tits and finches went for the seed feeders with just mixed seed in.

This year not sure what to try, probably the same if we get anything as I think some kestrals have moved in to the box I put up a couple of years ago.
Click to expand...

Thanks Caleb.
What did you use for a mold when you made them?

AFC said:
Sarah, please please take care as to what fat you use. I have read recently that some of the fat we use are dangerous to the birds.

The RSPB website will probably give you some guidelines.
Click to expand...

Thank you Martin.
That's precisely the reason I asked here. So many websites with so many recipes, I'd far prefer to hear about people's personal experiences and anything they've picked up on what to use or not use.
The RSPB website sounds like a promising place to start. I'll pop over and have a look there now :thumbs:


EDIT : And thank you again!!! Seems like you already did the looking while I was typing.
 
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The local blackbirds go mental for dry catfood (make sure there's water available). The jays (and squirrels) go nuts for loose peanuts. Sunfouwer seeds for goldfinches. Mixed seed feeders for the rest.

I've never had any birds go fo fat balls when a good selection of seed is available.
 
Use common or garden lard mixed with cheap wild bird food mix.

Put some tin foil in the bottom of a small plastic plantpot to cover the holes. Put some Garden wire through the middle and fill the plantpot 3/4 full with lard/seed mix.

Allow to cool and then warm the pot in hot water to release the block.

Use wire or the squirrels will eat through the string and have a feast.

If you feed peanuts even if the squirrels get most you must buy Bird safe peanuts. Some peanuts sold for general consumption have a fungal growth in them thats pretty harmless to us but kills birds I think it's called summat like afflutoxin.

I use 2 poles. One with Nijer seed in one feeder, Sunflower seeds in another that full seeds not just the hearts. On another pole I feed general seed in a huge feeder, and on the last fatballs.

Try and have something with shallow water in that you make sure doesn't freeze.

I have Ferrel pigeons so they are a pain but I suppose you feed one you feed them all.

Over the next few weeks I'll be building a bird atble for the patio with bars between the roof and platform to keep out the large birds. Robins and Dunnock like to feed on the floor.

I get all sorts of Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, occasionaly a Jay. Very occasionaly a Haris Hawk although I've never got a photo. I get green and goldfinches. The Goldfinches are beautiful. I get Robins, Sparrows and very occasionaly a Red woodpecker.

I use this company http://www.wildbirddirect.com and buy 30 Kilos of food at a time, delivered to the door next day :D
 
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Which birds ate the nijer seed? Nothing in my garden touched it in the feeder so put it loose.
 
Our goldfinches love the rape seed they are always in the barn pinching it:shrug:
 
I feed Nijer or Thistle seed for Goldfinches and Greenfinches. When the Sparrows are young they will take it as well.

The reason they like Rapeseed is the oil content.

Finches can take up to 12 months to appear or may never appear as in my friends garden just a mile or two away.
 
I heat up lard in a saucepan (about 20p per block from the supermarket) then once it's a liquid just stirr in mixed bird seed and also some nijer seeds.

Once it starts to go thick just turn the heat off.

Wrap tin foil tightly around a normal peanut bird feeder then spoon the mixture in packing it tight.

Pop the feeder (still with the foil wrap on) somewhere cool like the fridge and allow to set firm before removing the foil and then it's ready.

It's cheap as chips and of course you can experiment with the fillings.
 
SarahLee said:
What did you use for a mold when you made them?
Click to expand...

A choux (or however you spell it!) bun box, you know the plastic bit that they actually sit in? Set it in some sand so it holds its shape when it gets hot. We also use Tesco lard, it melts very easily, then a length of hessian string with a couple of knots in each end set deep into it so theres no loops.

You could try mixing in some mealworms.
 
Good advice here folks, gonna try making my own when the new hide is up and running.

Thanks for the link to the bulk supplier as well.........:thumbs:
 
Been making my own for a couple of years. I use beef suet blocks melted down. In it I put a base of porridge oats and peanuts that have been blended in a food processor and then I also add mixed seeds and also mealworms. I tend to use yoghurt pots as moulds and also half coconuts with some string threaded through. Also use tinfoil food containers, like you get from takeaways. If you fill about inch and a bit deep they will fit nicely in the holders made for bird 'cakes'
 
This thread reminds me of our local farm shop and their advertising slogan outside during the winter months.

"FAT BALLS FOR YOUR LITTLE TITS!!!"

Made me smile.
 
mine never set that hard, do you tend to put more fat to seed ratio? or what ration do you use? :shrug:
 
Briony said:
mine never set that hard, do you tend to put more fat to seed ratio? or what ration do you use? :shrug:
Click to expand...

Beef suet, although a bit more expensive then lard, sets much harder then lard. I normally use about 1/3rd liquid (fat) to 2/3rds dry. Never any problems with it setting
 
Oh and another little idea is to get a 'lump' of old log and then drill a few biggish holes into it, say 1" diameter, about 1" deep and then fill these holes with the mix. As said before some birds feed from the floor and they seem to quite like this.
 
Everybody seems to have a different method, unsurprisingly. I start off by warming (not melting) the lard. Then get my hands mucky:D, just continue to work seeds of choice in until it will still bind together, then stuff into half coconut shells or whatever. When i first tried to make them, i melted fat and it never did seem to set properly:)
 
wisemen said:
Oh and another little idea is to get a 'lump' of old log and then drill a few biggish holes into it, say 1" diameter, about 1" deep and then fill these holes with the mix. As said before some birds feed from the floor and they seem to quite like this.
Click to expand...

:thinking: my chickens would love that :lol: best I get a BIG LOG then :lol:
 
Some of these birds are getting better fed than me...........:lol:
 
I use suet in flat moulds to go in a wire mesh feeder. I add a few seeds and mealworms and the Great-spotted woodpeckers go nuts for it.
 
chopped apple :thumbs: dried apricots also :thumbs::thumbs: they need there 5 a day.
 
Well after reading this thread am off to build a bird table and get some seeds and nuts!!
:thumbs:
 
Byker28i said:
We've got coconut shells that we just use over and over again
Click to expand...

:plusone:

Got them from a local general store pre filled for a couple of quid each. Just refill with a lard/general bird seed mix and wait to set.

They look a bit nicer than other things as well.
 
Better still buy coconuts whole from the supermarket then fill them and have the best of both worlds then when empty full them again. :thumbs:
 
Local fair was on last week and I got 3 for a quid. Bargain.
 
If he tries to steal mine he will have "FAT BALLS" :D
 
The important thing to remember is that it is totally unnatural for lots of wild songbirds to come to one small table or feeder for food, and disease can spread at such places. Scald your feeders and tables with boiling water at least once a month.:)
 
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Don't worry I will leave a hand wash out for them :lol: :lol: :D









Couldn't resist that one !!
 
:clap: :clap: :clap:

Some great ideas there - thank you !!!!

I've had a good read through and I'll be taking all ideas on board when I have a go at making mine.
Probably not until next weekend, so keep the suggestions coming. I'll let you know how I get on and there might even be some photos of the finished product.

I think Wales might be a bit too far for the phantom fat ball thief to travel, so I'll probably be safe :D
 
You think so ???..........:naughty:
 
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