If you collect your own pinecones, shake off and wipe away any excess dirt and debris. If the pinecones are damp, leave them in a dry, sunny place for 1-2 days to dry them out. If you buy pinecones, make sure they have not been coated or treated with any chemicals. Stick with all-natural pinecones.
If you use lengths of string shorter than this, it will be easier for squirrels to access the pinecones.
This is a great activity for kids to help out with, but make sure you’re ready with cleanup supplies!
Don’t be shy here—really load it on! Creamy peanut butter works best here, but you could try working with chunky peanut butter.
If you’re hoping to attract a specific type of bird, shop for a bird seed that is better suited for that bird type. You can also search online for recipes for making your own bird seed mix.
Kids love this part of the job—just be ready to sweep up lots of spilled bird seed!
If you don’t want to put the pinecones out right away, line a baking sheet with wax paper, lay the pinecones on it, and place the pan in the freezer. You can hang them outside straight from the freezer.
After serving corn on the cob, save the kernel-free cobs. Leave them in a dry, sunny spot for 1-2 days to dry out. Then, coat them with peanut butter and bird seed and hang them outside. When you finish a roll of toilet paper, save the tube. Poke a hole in it to tie a string, then coat it with peanut butter and bird seed. Or, coat it with the peanut butter and bird seed and just slide the tube over the tip of a tree branch!
If you’re using especially thick peanut butter, put it in the microwave for 10-second increments until it softens up a little. [9] X Research source While “suet” technically refers to a specific type of beef fat (that was traditionally used in bird feed cakes), any bird feed cake that combines fats and seeds is usually called suet.
Make 1-2 more serving plates for the remainder of the suet mixture.
A suet cage is a rectangular wire cage with a chain attached for hanging on tree branches. You can get one at any retailer that sells bird seed.
Don’t try to keep squirrels away because that is cruel. Keeping squirrels away removes their liberty to eat there. If you still don’t understand it, think of it this way: You wouldn’t want to be the only person not allowed to eat at a certain restaurant, would you?
