bird feeder question

I find the suet at Tractor Supply is preferred over the ones from Walmart. I also noticed less action on the suet right now.

Commercial Suet cakes have to remain shelf stable and package well. They have to appeal to shoppers more than birds. It doesn't mean that they don't work, but here is a suet recipe that is better than any suet cakes that I have purchased.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup lard (do not use bacon grease)
1 cup crunchy peanut butter

Optional: Add in some unshelled bird seed.

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt the lard and peanut butter together, either on the stove or in the microwave.

2. Combine all of the dry ingredients.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the melted fats.

4. Pour into a square pan about 2 inches deep to make cakes for suet cages, or spread onto tree limbs. Refrigerate until firm then store in fridge or freezer to keep fresh.


As for preferred bird feed, I use a mix of black oil sunflower seed and millet. Tractor supply carries both. The mixes typically have some grains that just end up on the ground with nothing touching them. Black oil sunflower seeds and millet do not get passed over.

I've never added raisins or even bird seed though I see that recommendation on this recipe that I did not create (I forgot where I got it). I've never added anything to it b/c it works just fine as is.

This is what we've got. I changed out the water dish and will probably get some more seed & fruit mix for the other dish. They're eating up the Costco feed I bought.

thanks. there are no HEB;s where I am working now.

Where is your feeder placed? I have a cone that keeps most of the dumb squirrels out.
Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle, Squirrel Baffle Wrap Guard,Bird Feeder Squirrel Proof Baffle Squirrel Baffle for Pole, Protects Hanging Bird Feeders Plastic (Black,Size:14inch)


You can also lubricate the pole of the feeder.

I just put out a suet cake with mostly raisins and got Cardinals. It has some peanuts in it so the Blue Jays and Ravens fight. The Ravens won I guess as I haven't seen a blue jay again.

What is the difference in Raven's, Crows,, Sterlings? Are blue jays timid because of crows? or are they naturally always pissed-off?

The Cardinals don't GAF about blue jays or Ravens it seems.

I’ve bought three different Types of suet at Tractor and no one ate it. Just sits


Tried chunky peanut butter, no takers and I’ve got tons of birds but very few if any woodpeckers.

They have eaten the hell out of suet in the past several years, but this year they barely touch the two I have had out for weeks. They will demolish a feeder of black oil sunflower seeds.

Either there is a natural supply of what the birds want from the suet, or the manufacturers have done something to the cakes that birds don't like.