Wild birds are awesome! They play an important role in our environment, especially in our gardens. They serve as natural pest management, eating various types of insects that would otherwise harm our plants. By inviting birds to your garden, you are effectively asking little assistants to keep your plants healthy and growing.
There is one problem though, these birds often struggle to find enough food, especially during certain times of the year. Natural food sources can be limited, therefore offering a mix high in fat and protein can make a significant difference for them. So I decided to make some nutritious plant-based bird food to help them out.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own batch of bird food:
1 cup of coconut oil
1 cup of vegetable suet
2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter
½ cup of desiccated coconut
½ cup of linseed
1 cup of mixed seeds (I used sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame seeds, slightly crushed)
½ cup of chopped raisins
Let’s Make Some Bird Food!
- Prep Your Ingredients: Roughly chop the raisins, and slightly crush the mixed seeds using a mortar and pestle.
- Melt the Coconut Oil: In a pan over low heat, melt the coconut oil until it’s completely liquid.
- Combine the Ingredients: Add the vegetable suet to the melted coconut oil and stir until it’s fully combined. Stir in the crunchy peanut butter until it melts into the mix, then add the desiccated coconut and mix well.
- Add the Seeds and Raisins: Pour in the slightly crushed mixed seeds and chopped raisins. Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Transfer to a Mold: Pour the mixture into a silicone mold. You can use any shape you like. Once the mixture is in the mold, gently press it down to make sure there are no air pockets.
- Let It Set: Allow the mixture to set for at least 24 hours. Once it’s solidified, pop it out of the mold.
Serving Your Bird Food
Once your bird food is ready, simply pop it out of the mold and place it in a feeder or a suitable spot in your garden. You’ll soon notice the birds flocking to it, enjoying the delicious and nutritious treat you’ve made for them.
Making your own bird food is an easy yet effective method to help wild birds and improve the natural beauty of your garden. It’s a wonderful project you can do with your family, and the birds will appreciate your efforts.
Here’s to happy birds and thriving gardens! If you try this recipe, please let me know how it turns out and share your bird-feeding experiences. Together, we can keep our feathered friends healthy and happy!
Happy bird-feeding!
