Many people enjoy feeding birds in their yards. It provides entertainment and a connection to nature. Birds have very diverse diets, but most species enjoy foods high in fat and protein. Suet and lard have traditionally been used in bird feeders to provide these nutrients. However, some people want to avoid using animal products for ethical, environmental or health reasons. The good news is there are many alternatives for creating nutritious bird feeders without lard.
Why Do Birds Need Fats?
Fats are a concentrated source of energy for birds. Fat provides more than twice the calories per gram compared to carbohydrates or protein. Birds need a lot of energy to maintain their high body temperature and fuel their active lifestyles. Fats help birds meet their high metabolic needs, especially in cold weather.
Fats also aid with nutrient absorption. Many nutrients in bird food, like vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble. This means they need to be consumed with some fat to allow for absorption in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins support vision, bone growth, metabolism and other essential processes.
Finally, fat provides insulation and protection for birds. It helps keep them warm by providing an extra layer under their feathers. The high-energy density of fat allows birds to build up reserves to survive periods of food scarcity.
Best Fats for Birds
When choosing fats for bird feeders, focus on unsaturated fats over saturated. Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature, while saturated fats are solid.
Unsaturated fats like vegetable oil, nut oils and coconut oil provide the same energy density without the unhealthy impacts of saturated fats. They also retain their shape better than saturated fats when exposed to warm temperatures.
Here are some of the best unsaturated fats to use:
– Vegetable oil – Made from seeds like sunflower, safflower or canola. Cold-pressed and unrefined oils provide more nutrients.
– Nut oils – Oils like almond, walnut and hazelnut oil provide healthy fats. They can get expensive so best used in moderation.
– Coconut oil – Provides lauric acid and medium-chain triglycerides. Stays solid in warmer weather. Choose unrefined, virgin or cold-pressed oils.
– Avocado oil – Full of vitamin E and monounsaturated fatty acids. Has a mild flavor birds enjoy.
– Flaxseed oil – High in omega-3 fatty acids which birds need. Store in fridge to prevent rancidity.
Avoid using large amounts of lard, butter, shortening or other saturated fats. While they are energy dense, too much can negatively impact bird health and hormones.
Easy Homemade Bird Feed
Making your own bird feed allows you to control the ingredients. Here are some easy recipes:
Basic Bird Feed
– 1 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
– 2 cups wild birdseed mix
– 1 cup rolled oats
– 1 cup crushed nuts or dried fruit (optional)
Heat oil until liquid. Mix all ingredients until well coated. Pack into feeder and refrigerate until firm.
Suet Nuggets
– 1 cup nut butter (peanut, almond)
– 1 cup quick oats
– 1/2 cup birdseed
– 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
– Dried fruit, rolled oats, nuts (optional)
Stir nut butter and coconut oil together. Mix in remaining ingredients. Pack tightly into a muffin tin and freeze until firm. Remove and store in the fridge.
Fruit & Nut Suet
– 1 cup nut butter
– 1/2 cup dried fruit
– 1/2 cup nuts, chopped
– 1/4 cup coconut oil
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
Melt oil and syrup. Mix with nut butter until smooth. Add fruit and nuts. Pour into molds and refrigerate until firm.
No-Cook Suet
– 1 cup nut butter
– 1 cup quick oats
– 1/2 cup cornmeal
– 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
– Dried fruit, seeds, coconut (optional)
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until evenly incorporated. Pack tightly into a container, plastic wrap or suet feeder. Refrigerate until firm.
Fruits & Veggies
In addition to fats and seeds, birds relish fruits and some vegetables. They provide natural sugars, fiber, vitamins and hydration. Almost any produce can be offered to birds in a feeder, hanging basket or platform.
Here are some fruits and veggies to try:
Fruits:
– Raisins, currents, cranberries
– Chopped apples or melons
– Orange halves or slices
– Banana chunks
– Berries
– Grapes (cut in half to avoid choking)
– Figs, cut up
– Dates, chopped
Vegetables:
– Leafy greens like kale or spinach
– Broccoli florets
– Sweet potato slices
– Corn kernels
– Sprouts like mung beans
– Squash cubes
– Bean sprouts
Hang produce pieces with sturdy skewers or place them in a shallow basket. Refill daily as produce can spoil quickly in warm weather. Provide a water source like a bird bath to aid digestion.
Grains & Starches
Birds eat a variety of grains and starches in the wild to provide carbohydrates. Adding some to feeders gives birds an all-natural energy boost.
Try these healthy grain and starch sources:
– Whole grains like millet, wheat berries, sorghum, corn kernels, wild rice, buckwheat groats or quinoa
– Cooked rice, barley, couscous or pasta
– Dry whole-grain cereal like oats, bran flakes or muesli
– Cooked beans, peas or lentils
– Stale or toasted bread cubes
– Uncooked oats or oatmeal
Mix in with seeds or make a trail mix with dried fruit and nuts. Cooked grains and beans can be mixed into suet or nut butter blends for added protein.
Nut & Seed Butters
Nut and seed butters make excellent high-protein additions to any bird feed recipe. Opt for all-natural brands without hydrogenated oils or excess added sugars.
Here are some nutritious options:
– Peanut butter – A favorite of many birds. Opt for natural peanut butter without added sugars. Can be sticky so add oats or cornmeal.
– Almond butter – Rich in vitamin E and monounsaturated fats. Avoid brands with added sugars.
– Sunflower seed butter – Made from sunflower seeds. Provides vitamin E, magnesium and healthy fats.
– Hemp seed butter – High in omegas and reasonably priced. Look for all-natural, unsalted varieties.
– Cashew butter – Provides zinc, iron and antioxidants. Does contain more carbs than other nut butters.
– Soy nut butter – Made from roasted soybeans. Good source of plant-based protein. Avoid added oils and sugars.
When mixing nut or seed butter into feed, add less sticky ingredients like oats, cornmeal or coconut oil. This prevents the feeder from turning into a gloppy mess in warmer weather. Refrigerate or freeze nut butter mixes for prolonged freshness.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil deserves special mention. The saturated fat is solid at temperatures under 76°F (24°C). This unique property makes coconut oil an excellent vegan substitute for shortening or lard in bird feeders.
Coconut oil offers these advantages:
– Provides energy-dense calories to help birds meet high metabolic needs
– Retains shape better than other oils when temperatures rise
– Rich in lauric acid and medium chain triglycerides
– Adds texture and binding qualities to homemade bird feed
When buying coconut oil, look for virgin, unrefined or cold-pressed varieties. This minimizes processing and preserves nutrients. Store in a cool cupboard or the fridge to keep the coconut oil solid.
Melt the coconut oil in a hot water bath or double-boiler before mixing into feed. Start with a 1:3 ratio of coconut oil to dry ingredients when formulating recipes. Refrigerate or freeze batches to extend freshness.
Protein-Rich Foods
In addition to fats, birds need protein in their diets for muscle maintenance, hormone and enzyme production and immune function. Luckily many homemade bird feed ingredients provide protein like nuts, seeds and nut butters.
Some other ways to add protein include:
– Dried beans – Offer dried peas, lentils or chickpeas either whole or ground into flour.
– Insects – Dried mealworms, crickets or larvae appeal to insect-loving bird species.
– Egg – Cooked, dried egg can be diced small and added to feeders in moderation. Avoid raw egg due to bacteria risk.
– Seed flours – Grind seeds like quinoa, flax, hemp or pumpkin into a flour to mix into suet or dough.
– Squash or sunflower seeds – Roast plain, salted or spiced seeds for a crunchy protein addition.
– Algae – Dried seaweed or kelp powder provides omega fats and protein.
– Yogurt – Plain yogurt or kefir can be mixed into suet or dough recipes. Helps bind ingredients.
– Canned fish – Diced sardines, salmon or mackerel give an omega boost (rinse first to reduce sodium).
Avoid large amounts of animal-derived proteins since birds don’t need as much as humans. Aim for a maximum of 10% protein content in feeders.
Boost Nutrition with Supplements
While most ingredients provide a balanced diet, birds can benefit from some supplemental additions:
Bone meal or oyster shell: Provides calcium for strong bones and eggshells. Lacking in seed-only diets.
Seaweed or kelp powder: Adds trace minerals like iodine and B vitamins. Also provides protein.
Ground eggshell: Another bioavailable calcium source. Rinse and grind shells before adding.
Safflower or wheat germ oil: High in vitamin E to support immunity and reproduction.
Crushed mineral block: Trace minerals and electrolytes. Choose blocks without medications added.
Probiotics: supports healthy gut flora. Choose powder or liquids specifically for birds.
Greens powder: For antioxidants, chlorophyll and phytonutrients. Choose certified organic brands. Start with 1 tsp per cup of feed.
These can be mixed into nut butter suet or seed dough recipes. Avoid over-supplementing feeders. Focus on variety and rotation instead for a complete diet. Offer supplements 1-2 times per week maximum.
Cornmeal & Other Binders
When making homemade feed, ingredients like nut butter or coconut oil can make the mixture overly sticky. Adding dry binding agents helps create the right consistency for molding or drying.
Here are some common binders:
– Cornmeal – Very inexpensive filler. Provides carbs. Soaks up excess oils.
– Oats – Whole or quick oats add fiber. Ensure they are certified gluten-free if needed.
– Cornstarch – Another affordable filler that absorbs moisture. Look for non-GMO.
– Whole wheat or white flour – Use sparingly as too much wheat can be unhealthy. Best for occasional use.
– Quick-cooking grains – Small amounts of quinoa, millet, amaranth or teff can be used. Aid nutrition.
– Ground nuts – Grind oily nuts like almonds or walnuts into a meal. Adds protein and healthy fats.
– Coconut flour – Made from dried coconut meat. High fiber and low starch. Use in moderation.
– Ground seed meal – Grind sunflower, flax, hemp or pumpkin seeds. Adds nutrition.
Dried milk powder can also be used as a binder but some want to avoid dairy. Test new binders in small amounts first before mixing large batches. Refrigerate or freeze bound treats to extend freshness.
Foods to Avoid
Some common human foods should be avoided when feeding birds. These include:
– Avocados – Contain persin, toxic to birds.
– Alcohol – Fermented foods can negatively affect birds.
– Chocolate – Contains theobromine and caffeine, harmful to birds.
– Raw dried beans – Can cause digestive upset unless sprouted or cooked.
– Spoiled produce – Quickly breeds dangerous bacteria and fungi.
– Salt – Excess sodium is unhealthy.
– Spicy foods – Can irritate birds digestive systems.
Also avoid feeding birds any moldy or rotten foods. Always check homemade feeders after a few days and replace ingredients if any mold is spotted. This prevents birds from getting sick.
Monitor feeders for signs of rotting or spoilage. Discard and make a new batch if the feed starts smelling bad or looks dried out. Fresher feed will encourage more birds to visit your yard.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about feeding birds without lard:
What are the benefits of homemade lard-free bird feed?
Homemade feed allows you to control the exact ingredients birds eat. You can focus on healthy, whole-food fats, grains and proteins. It also reduces plastic waste from packaged seed mixes.
What kind of oil is best for birds?
Focus on unrefined, unfiltered cold-pressed oils like avocado, hemp, walnut and flaxseed oils. Moderate amounts of vegetable, coconut or nut oils are also good choices.
Do you have to refrigerate homemade bird feed?
Yes, refrigerating or freezing extends the freshness of homemade feed. The oils can become rancid at room temperature. Store in the fridge for 2-3 weeks or freezer for 2-3 months.
Can I compost old bird feed?
It’s best not to compost large amounts of old bird feed, as this can attract pests. Small amounts of crumbled suet or stale seeds can be added to outdoor compost in moderation.
What are the most cost-effective ingredients?
The most budget-friendly ingredients are vegetable oil, cornmeal, old-fashioned oats, and peanut butter. Buy cornmeal and oats at bulk bins for additional savings.
Should I provide grit for birds to aid digestion?
In most cases, no. Backyard birds have access to small rocks, gravel, sand and other natural forms of grit. Providing extra can lead to excessive calcium intake.
Conclusion
Homemade bird feed lets you avoid processed seed mixes and enjoy watching birds up-close. With a little creativity, bird-lovers can craft nutritious feeders using healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Consider making custom feeders for local species based on their dietary needs. Sit back and enjoy the show as colorful birds stop by to feast. Just be sure to keep feeders clean and watch for signs of spoilage during warmer weather. With the right homemade diet, you can attract a diversity of happy, well-fed birds all year round.
