If you are still buying pre-made bird seed blocks or bells, you might change your mind once you know how to make birdseed blocks. It may seem like making your seed blocks would be difficult but the truth is it is not that hard.
Although it would take a bit more effort to make your birdseed blocks, you will discover that there are many benefits that you can receive when you do. In addition, all the tools you need might already be in your kitchen. If not, you can purchase them in almost all big box stores.
Step-by-Step Guide
Contents
Making Hanging Seed Blocks
Here is a simple how-to-make birdseed blocks recipe. There are no fancy equipment and ingredients needed. This can also be a great activity that you can do with the family.
What to prepare:
- Birdseed mix – You will need around 1-1/4 cups of your choice of birdseed options.
- Gelatin – Unflavored, 2 packets containing 7g each.
- Water – You will only need just enough to prepare the gelatin.
- Knife or cookie cutters – You can use either to cut the birdseed blocks to whatever shape you want.
- Twine or string
Detailed steps:
Step 1 – Create your seed mix
The great thing about making your seed block is that you get to choose what seeds to use. If you know what kinds of birdseed the local birds like, then you can just use those to prevent waste. There is no need to use much since you only have to mix around 1-1/4 cups per batch. Set the birdseed mix for now.
Step 2 – Prepare the gelatin
Dissolve the gelatin with 2 tablespoons of cold water. In a small pan, bring to a boil 1/3 cup of water. Remove the boiling water from the stove. Stir in the gelatin until it is completely dissolved.
Step 3 – Combine gelatin and seeds
Once the gelatin has dissolved, mix the birdseed and stir until everything is completely combined. After which, pour the mixture into a 1-inch-deep tray or pan lined with parchment paper. Wait for the gelatin to set. The process usually takes around 3 hours.
Step 4 – Cut the birdseed block to your desired shape
Once the birdseed block has hardened considerably, take out your knife and cut the block into bars or whatever shape you desire. Tie string or twine around the seed block and then hang them from wherever you want to watch birds gather.
There is a way how to make birdseed cakes without gelatin. You only need to substitute it using agar-agar powder to turn it completely vegan. Agar-agar works the same as gelatin, but it does have a slightly different texture.
Making Birdseed Blocks
If you want to make a larger birdseed block, here is what you can do.
What to prepare:
- Birdseed mix – You need around 1-1/4 cups of your choice of birdseed options.
- Gelatin – Unflavored, 2 packets containing 7g each.
- Water – You will only need just enough to prepare the gelatin.
- Plastic takeout container, round – Or you can use any small bowl or large cup
Detailed steps:
Step 1 – Mix the seeds
Similar to the method above, combine your choice of birdseed into the plastic container. Make sure to leave enough room for the gelatin.
Step 2 – Prepare the gelatin
Mix the gelatin with 2 tablespoons of cold water and wait for it to “bloom”. While waiting for the gelatin, boil 1/3 cup of water. Once the water is boiling, take it off the heat, and pour the gelatin mixture into the pot. Stir vigorously until the gelatin has dissolved completely.
Step 3 – Pour gelatin into the birdseed mix
Wait for the gelatin to cool down but not set. Pour the gelatin into the plastic container with the birdseed and mix thoroughly. Make sure all the seeds are coated with gelatin.
Wait 3 to 4 hours or until the birdseed block has set. Pop the block out of the plastic container and it will be ready to use. Place the birdseed block on a piece of plywood that is sitting on a pole driven into the ground. The birds will pick the seeds that they want to eat from the block and leave the seeds that they do not want.
Why is It Better to Make Your Own Birdseed Block?
Although there are ready-made bird seed blocks in most pet supply stores, there are many arguments to be made for homemade ones, including:
They are cheaper in the long run
Pre-made birdseed cakes are much more expensive by weight compared to loose birdseed. A pack containing two pounds of birdseed blocks is almost the same price as a 5-pound bag of mixed bird seeds, and it gets cheaper when you buy single variety bags.
You can choose the kinds of seeds
If you are having problems with birds leaving lots of leftover seeds on the ground around the feeder, then you are out of luck when you use pre-made birdseed blocks. You just have to clean up all those discarded seeds.
However, if you make your own bird seed blocks, you can figure out what kind of seeds the local birds do not like and not put any of those in the succeeding batches that you make.
You can attract only the types of birds that you want
If you know what kinds of bird seeds your choice of bird species likes, you can put only those in your blocks. This way, you get more control over the kinds of birds that go into your yard.
Conclusion
Knowing how to make birdseed blocks will not just save a lot of money but also ensures that there will not be any leftovers. Yes, making your own bird seed blocks will take a bit of effort, but you will soon find out that the benefits far outweigh the bit of inconvenience.