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Home made bird feed Christmas wreath

sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 160
in The potting shed
HI all,
I thought the home-made bird feeder Christmas wreath idea in last month's RHS The Garden magazine was a lovely idea and I decided to make several as gifts.
I've just trialled one in my garden, and the lard was quite soft so as soon as I tried to hang it up, it fell apart.... I thought popping it in thee freezer for a while might firm it up, but I don't have space in the freezer.
Has anyone else tried this? Any tips on what to add to from it up a bit?

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I haven't tried making one but it's a lovely idea. As far as l can see after a bit of searching, the main thing to stop it falling apart is to make sure it's very well mixed. 

    The other top tip is to put it in the freezer (sorry).

    Does the recipe involve using gelatin? 
  • sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 160
    Thankyou AnniD.
    No gelatin, just lard or suet (I used lard) fruit and nuts.
    I will be able to make some space in the freezer on Boxing day... and as the gifts are for people I'm seeing after that, it should be fine.
    The other thing I thought about was having a much wider ribbon, to spread the weight supporting it. My ribbon appeared to just cut through it!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Beef dripping (obtainable from most butchers) sets much firmer than lard … useful in this milder weather. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Lard sets at a much lower temperature so I never use it after trying with it once. The sun shone and the lard melted, dripped everywhere, and made a horrible mess on the ground. The birds had a job cleaning their beaks because it spread everywhere.
     Suet is much better, I usually buy a packet of Atora, not the vegetarian version. (Other brands available) I melt the suet, mix in lots of seeds and dried fruit then pack the mix into empty coconut shells. Not exactly a wreath but the birds do not seem to care.
    I still haven't begun feeding the wild birds as there are so many berries still on the holly and hawthorn etc.
  • sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 160
    Thank you all for your comments and advice.
    I added some porridge oats to the next batch to firm it up a bit, and chilled it which seemed better. They are quite heavy, so I think in future I will either make smaller, slightly flatter wreaths or some baubles instead... I have some pretty silicone molds that would do the job!
    I've been looking on Pintrest and seen lots of other lovely ideas!

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