Birds and cereal.

^^^
Boys. So immature.
*sighs*

So er yeah, it turns out that two decades of rigorous scientific education did not adequately equip me to make fat balls. (fnarr).

The smell is just horrendous. Lard is foul.
And here's a tip- use a sturdy plastic container in the microwave on a low setting to melt the lard.
And not a saucepan you have any intention of using again.
Scrubbing a lard encrusted saucepan is hopefully going to be the low point of my week.

I used empty golf ball packaging as a mould. However I think I'll have to back fill with more lard, as Im not sure the balls will maintain structural integrity.

 

****** *** ***** **** *** **** *** *** ****

I can't:DOH:I just can't

 

Boys.

There just arent roll eyes big enough!


*snigger!*
:D
:D

 

I have three balls in a netting bag hanging from a cherry tree.

Query- how do I make these things less accessible to squirrels?

So far it seems its mostly squirrels reaping the benefit.

 

Coming a bit late to this thread, but last year I made my own Birdie treats by cutting the tapered top off a 500ml water bottle (after removing the water, naturally) then filling the tubes with seed, breadcrumbs etc to just below the top. Melt a 50/50 mixture of cheap supermarket lard & suet in a pan, top up the tubes, tap them a bit to get most the air out & leave to cool. Once cool store in a plastic bag in the freezer (and put smelly greasy pan in the dishwasher... )

When it came to deploying them - if they have been in the freezer for a while you can take them out & cut or tear the plastic off the outside, then with a bit of luck they should just slip inside the long metal cages that you use for the normal fatty balls.

I found that the suet-lard mixture worked better as it was a little more solid at room temp, when I tried it with just lard it was a bit too gloopy & tended to make a mess of things (including the birdies).

Assuming that you already have the fatty-ball cages, a dishwasher & a supply of suitable water bottles which fit inside... otherwise its probably cheaper & easier to buy the bulk packs of fatty balls (£8.50 for 50 in my local garden center I think). But not as much fun !

 

Cheers for your methodology Nick.

It seems SO much cleaner and less manky than trying to back fill my golf ball packaging.
Bleurgh.

I might try this one too. I think adding lard to the mix would prevent rodents scavenging any overspill from the spoons.

 

Shiney- Thanks for the link- I was looking through the options- I like the idea of a baffle.

Your link led me to find this feeder 'The Squirrel Buster Plus' - its has a small adjustable spring mechanism. But its a whopping £50!




Squirrel Buster Plus - YouTube

This is quite a relaxing video, well for the 3 mins before it goes all Benny Hill!

 

Cycle clips work.

 

Ive *just* got that!



lol!

 

Long over due update.

Weeks ago I think something big ate the fat balls.

Two net bags were discovered on the ground, shredded and contents gone.

Either a large fox or a condor/ pterodactyl type animal barrelled through the lot in just two nights.

If we tentatively rule out condors and prehistoric creatures, can foxes climb trees?
How high should I have hung the things?

 

It was probably a badger: