Making homemade bird feeders is a fun way to attract birds to your yard or garden. While there are many bird feeder recipes that use peanut butter or suet as the main ingredient, some people wonder if vegetable shortening like Crisco can also be used. The short answer is yes, Crisco can be used to make simple and effective DIY bird feeders.
What is Crisco?
Crisco is a brand name for a vegetable shortening product made by The J.M. Smucker Company. The original Crisco product introduced in 1911 was made from vegetable oil, typically cottonseed oil or soybean oil. Today’s Crisco products contain different blends of oils including canola, soybean, palm and sunflower oils. The oils go through a hydrogenation process that turns the naturally liquid oils into a solid fat product. The result is a creamy white vegetable shortening.
Crisco vegetable shortening contains 100% fat, but no protein or fiber. The main types of fats are unsaturated fats like mono- and polyunsaturated fats. The fat content gives the shortening a smooth, creamy texture that is perfect for baking. Crisco helps make baked goods moist and tender. It’s also useful as a cooking fat for frying and sauteing foods.
Benefits of Using Crisco for Bird Feeders
There are a few advantages to using Crisco vegetable shortening to make homemade bird feeders:
- High fat content – The pure fat content means the Crisco holds together well and provides a rich energy source for birds.
- Moisture resistant – The shortening repels water, helping the feeder remain intact in wet weather.
- Firm at room temperature – Crisco will stay firm when set out, unlike other fats that may melt and drip in warm temps.
- Mold resistant – The processed shortening inhibits mold growth better than raw homemade lard or suet.
- Easy to work with – Crisco is smooth, creamy and easy to mix, shape or mold into bird feeder shapes.
The high fat content and stability of Crisco make it an ideal base for energy-rich, durable homemade bird feeders. The shortening will hold up well through a range of temperatures while providing lots of calories to help birds survive cold weather and migration.
How to Make a Crisco Bird Feeder
Making a simple Crisco bird feeder is easy. There are just a few steps:
- Start with a 1/2 to 1 cup of Crisco brand vegetable shortening. Melt the shortening briefly in the microwave if needed to soften it up for mixing.
- Add 2-3 cups of wild birdseed mix and stir to thoroughly combine. You can also add a couple tablespoons of cornmeal, oats or dry milk powder.
- Optionally add a few tablespoons of nut butter like peanut or almond butter for extra nutrition.
- You can also add dried fruit like raisins, dried cranberries, chopped apples or mealworms.
- If the mixture seems too thin, add more birdseed until you get a dough or paste-like consistency.
- Pack the Crisco birdseed mixture into a cardboard tube, paper cup, reused plastic container, wire mesh feeder, or pinecone. Create holes for perching or clinging.
- Set out your homemade Crisco bird feeder outside in an area that’s easily visible from home so you can enjoy watching your feathered visitors.
Make sure to clean and replace your Crisco feeder regularly to prevent mold growth. Used regularly, these homemade Crisco bird feeders can help attract a variety of wild birds like chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, jays, cardinals and more.
How Long Will a Crisco Bird Feeder Last?
Crisco bird feeders can generally last up to 2-4 weeks. The durability depends on temperature, humidity levels, and amount of bird activity. Warm weather makes the Crisco and seed mixture soften and melt faster. High humidity can accelerate mold growth. Lots of bird traffic will help deplete the feeder quicker.
To help a Crisco feeder last longer:
- Make feeders in cool weather below 75°F/24°C so the Crisco sets up firmly.
- Store extra Crisco feeders in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer until needed.
- Pick shady, dry locations protected from rain and sun.
- Use a tube or mold with drainage holes to prevent moisture buildup inside.
- Add dry cornmeal or oats which can help absorb excess moisture.
- Use within 1-2 weeks and replace regularly to limit mold growth.
Properly prepared and cared for, a Crisco-based bird feeder can supply a steady source of energy-rich food for wild birds for 7-30 days. Check feeders frequently and replace any that become dirty, wet or moldy.
Troubleshooting Crisco Bird Feeders
Here are some common problems and solutions for making Crisco bird feeders:
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Crisco is too soft | Add more wild birdseed to absorb excess moisture. Refrigerate mixture before forming feeder. |
Birdseed is falling out | Add more Crisco. Press mixture firmly into shape. Allow to chill completely before hanging. |
Feeder gets slimy or moldy | Replace feeder. Move to drier location. Add cornmeal or oats to absorb moisture. |
Feeder drips or melts | Use less liquid ingredients. Move feeder to shadier spot or make in cooler weather. |
Feeder disappears quickly | Make multiple feeders and refill often. Try deeper, larger capacity feeders. |
Troubleshooting with small adjustments to the recipe and location can help yield the perfect Crisco bird feeder that lasts for weeks while attracting wild birds.
Filling Alternatives for Crisco Bird Feeders
While the classic Crisco bird feeder uses a wild birdseed mix, you can experiment with different fillings and ingredients. Some options include:
- Suet – Replace up to half the shortening with raw beef suet or suet cake crumbs.
- Peanut butter – Substitute natural peanut butter for up to 1/4 of the Crisco.
- Cornmeal – Mix in dry cornmeal if the mixture is too moist.
- Oats – Add a few tablespoons of quick oats for extra food value.
- Dried fruit – Chopped raisins, cranberries or currants add natural fruit sugars.
- Coconut – Shredded or flaked coconut gives an energy and vitamin boost.
- Nuts – Finely chopped walnuts, almonds or other nuts add protein and fats.
- Seeds – Chia, flax, sunflower and other nutrient-dense seeds can be mixed in.
- Mealworms – Dried insects are rich in protein and make soft or hard feeders.
Get creative with different combinations of seeds, nuts, fruits and other natural ingredients to make your own custom feeder mixes.
Making Feeders with Other Shortenings
While Crisco is a popular choice, you can follow the same method using different vegetable oil-based shortenings. Here are some options:
Brand | Details |
---|---|
Cookeen | British vegetable oil shortening suitable for making bird feeders. |
Mazola | Corn oil-based vegetable shortening that comes in sticks for easier shaping. |
Spectrum | Non-hydrogenated palm oil shortening; more heat sensitive. |
Nutiva | Organic coconut oil-based vegan shortening. Melts at warmer temperatures. |
Earth Balance | Non-hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening sticks that are trans fat free. |
Try out any grocery store brand vegetable shortening to compare performance. Avoid ones with trans fats. Coconut oil can work but may liquefy in warmer weather. Read labels and look for hydrogenated vegetable oils as the first ingredients.
Advantages of Crisco Over Suet for Bird Feeders
Suet is a popular choice for making no-mess bird feeders and offers these advantages:
- High fat content to provide concentrated calories
- Solid at room temperature so won’t drip or melt
- Inexpensive and easy to acquire
However, Crisco vegetable shortening offers some benefits over raw suet for bird feeders:
Crisco | Suet |
---|---|
Consistent texture | Can vary between hard and crumbly |
Won’t go rancid as quickly | Can develop unpleasant odors over time |
Resists mold growth | Can develop mold in warm, humid weather |
Smoother, creamier texture | Grainy, hard texture |
No meat-based ingredients | Contains animal fat/lard |
The hydrogenated vegetable oil in Crisco gives a consistent texture and lasts longer against mold and moisture. For vegetarians/vegans, Crisco avoids animal ingredients found in suet.
Conclusion
Crisco brand vegetable shortening can be an excellent choice for creating easy homemade bird feeders. The pure fat content gives birds an energy-rich food source while resisting moisture, drips, and mold growth. Crisco is smooth and easy to shape into re-usable feeder molds or containers. Different seed types, nuts, dried fruit and other ingredients can be mixed in for variety. Position Crisco feeders in shady dry areas and replace every 1-2 weeks for the best results. With minimal time and effort, a Crisco and birdseed feeder can provide essential nutrition to help wild birds thrive while adding color and activity to your backyard.