Creating handmade birdseed ornaments is a fun and budget-friendly way to attract birds to your yard. By combining just a few simple ingredients like cookie cutters, birdseed, water, gelatin, and corn syrup, you can craft your own homemade feeders that will keep your feathered friends fed year-round. The best part? You can customize the recipe to suit the season or whatever treats you want to include.These easy-to-make ornaments not only provide a tasty snack for the birds but also add a personal touch to your outdoor space. Plus, making them is a great way to get the kids involved in nature and teach them about the importance of feeding our fine-feathered friends during times when food might be scarce.If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you might also appreciate learning how to create your own compost, taking a cold water dipping adventure, or discovering tips for keeping your houseplants thriving even when you’re away. And if you’re looking for an indoor project to tackle with the kids, these paper plate flowers are a delightful activity to try out.
Why You’ll Love These
Creating cute birdseed ornaments requires minimal effort and doesn’t necessitate any rare ingredients or specialized tools. In fact, these delightful treats are sure to delight your fine-feathered friends without breaking a sweat. While they may not satisfy human taste buds, the birds will have no qualms devouring the birdseed, corn syrup, and gelatin mixture within their ornate cookie cutter frameworks. As winter approaches, or during periods of harsh weather, these ornaments offer a welcome respite from the scarcity that can beset our avian friends’ food supplies.
What You Need to Make Cookie Cutter Birdseed Feeders
The foundation of DIY birdseed ornaments lies in the ingredients, which are outlined in the recipe card below. The star of the show is, of course, birdseed – any mixture will do, whether store-bought or custom-blended (tips for creation can be found elsewhere). To hold everything together, a binding agent like unflavored gelatin is necessary; if you’re out of powder, four 1/4-ounce packages of the alternative will suffice. Light corn syrup serves a dual purpose, providing energy for the birds while also serving as another binding force. Shaping the mixture into festive forms can be achieved with metal cookie cutters – choose seasonal shapes to match the time of year or go for a classic shape. Finally, threading twine (jute works well) through each ornament allows it to be hung outdoors wherever you’d like; any sturdy string, yarn, or twine will suffice.
How to Make Easy DIY Birdseed Ornaments
To create these birdseed treats, start by dissolving the gelatin in a mixture of cold and warm water. Begin by sprinkling the gelatin over a small amount of cold water and let it sit for 3 minutes. Next, pour warm water over the gelatin while stirring until it’s fully dissolved. Once the gelatin is dissolved, add the birdseed to the mixture and stir until well combined. The next step is to incorporate the light corn syrup into the mixture by stirring until it’s evenly distributed. Following this, spoon the birdseed mixture into a cookie cutter or mason jar lid, pressing 6 inches of twine into the mixture. Fill the rest of the way with the birdseed mixture and use a large wooden spoon to press it down and even out the surface. Place the DIY birdseed cakes on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Allow the treats to chill in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 6 hours, before hanging them up to await the arrival of your feathered friends.
Substitutions and Variations
Consider taking a DIY approach to creating your own birdseed instead of purchasing it. Sunflower seeds are a staple in many backyard bird feeders, and most birds enjoy them. You can use various types, such as black oil sunflower seeds or striped sunflower seeds, which often feature in popular bird seed blends. In addition to these, you can also incorporate other ingredients like millet, safflower seeds, sorghum seeds, cracked corn, suet cakes, and thistle seeds into your homemade mix. For an extra-special touch, fill hollowed out orange or apple halves with the birdseed mixture for unique and colorful gelatin feeders. You can even add a pop of color by incorporating orange or lemon zest into the mix.
How to Use Cookie Cutter Birdseed Feeders
When placing your birdseed ornaments outdoors, opt for a spot where you can observe the activity from indoors. A sunroom provides an ideal vantage point to enjoy the feathered visitors. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when selecting a location. Avoid hanging them too close to windows to prevent messy cleanups and keep them out of reach from curious pets. Additionally, steer clear of branches or easily accessible areas to thwart squirrel theft and ensure the birds have a chance to dine. If you reside in an area with bear activity, consider limiting your bird feeder’s exposure to winter months only, as these attract bears. In many regions, local bylaws regulate bird feeders due to concerns about attracting bears. As a general rule of thumb, it’s safe to keep your bird feeder out when temperatures are at or below freezing.
How to Store DIY Birdseed Ornaments
To preserve their freshness and extend their shelf life, store your birdseed ornaments in a cool and dry place, ideally in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Under these conditions, they should remain usable for 4 to 6 months. If you don’t plan to use them within this timeframe, consider freezing them instead. This method can help keep the ornaments fresh for up to two years. Once frozen, you can hang them outdoors straight from the freezer or thaw them out in the refrigerator, whichever is more convenient.
Top Tips
When crafting your own birdseed blend, don’t be afraid to think outside the box – literally! Instead of relying on cookie cutters, consider using mason jar lids to create unique and charming shapes. To make a hole in your mixture, you can either gently push twine into the seed blend or get fancier with a drinking straw, threading the twine through for a polished look. The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing twine or string – opt for something bright and bold, or add some extra flair with lard, coconut oil, or even ribbon to give your bird feeder a pop of color.
DIY Birdseed Feeders FAQs
When searching for alternatives to traditional cookie cutters or mason jar lids for your bird feeder, consider using natural materials like orange or apple halves, hollowed out and rubbed with the seed mixture. Alternatively, pine cones can be used to create a rustic look by pressing the mixture into their open parts. This approach offers a charming, organic appearance.When preparing the birdseed mixture, it’s essential to choose the right ingredients. Suitable options include sunflower seeds, dried fruit softened with water, chopped peanuts, prepared birdseed mixes, cooked rice, and similar leftovers like breadcrumbs and shredded or crumbled cheese. However, avoid using raw rice, whole nuts or large chunks of fruit (which can pose a choking hazard), as well as salted nuts or salty food.The types of birds that will visit your feeder depend on various factors, including your location, the season, and the type of birdseed used. Common backyard birds you might attract include [insert common species], but feel free to share any unique sightings in the comments below!
How To Make Birdseed Ornaments
Birdseed Ornaments
Bella Bucchiotti shares a delightful and easy-to-make birdseed ornament recipe that not only brings joy to your backyard, but also provides a vital food source for birds during times of scarcity. With this simple recipe, you can create 6-8 ornaments in just 20 minutes of prep time, making it an excellent activity for the whole family. Interestingly, these ornaments require no cooking time at all! After preparing them, simply chill for 6 hours to allow the mixture to set, and then enjoy watching the birds visit your outdoor space. This recipe yields 6 servings, perfect for sharing with friends and neighbors or enjoying in your own backyard.
Equipment
Instructions
Combine gelatin and cold water in a bowl, allowing it to sit for 3 minutes. In a separate container, microwave the remaining water until warm but not hot (approximately 30 seconds). Gradually pour the warm water over the gelatin mixture, stirring gently until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Add birdseed and stir until all of the seed is coated with the gelatin mixture. Next, incorporate corn syrup into the mix, stirring until well combined. Pour the resulting mixture into the rim of a mason jar lid or a cookie cutter, filling it to about half capacity. Place a six-inch piece of twine into the mixture and top off the rest of the way. Use the back of a spoon or silicone spatula to press the mixture firmly into place. Refrigerate the gelatin feeder for at least 6 hours or overnight before hanging it in a location where you can enjoy watching the birds visit. This recipe offers a fun and educational experience, especially when shared with children. The end result is not only a functional bird feeder but also a charming decoration that can be used to brighten up your backyard during holidays or any time of year.
