Birdseed ornaments are fun to make and hang outside for the wildlife to enjoy. This recipe calls for coconut oil which is best used in cold weather before the weather gets too warm and the coconut oil melts.
For year-round feeding, you can also consider using unsalted nut butter as the base for your ornaments and skipping the liquefying step before mixing all the ingredients and putting them into your molds.
This project is no-bake and only requires a handful of supplies. It’s an enjoyable craft for all ages that encourages children to take an interest in nature.
Is Coconut Oil Safe for Birds?
If you’re wondering if coconut oil is a safe option for birds, it indeed is. It’s rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which according to birdsupplies.com, can help prevent heart disease in our feathered friends. They go on to say that coconut oil is one of nature’s most luxurious food sources and it’s easy for birds to digest and will not only help boost their immune systems, but coconut oil also supports healthy digestion, weight management and makes their feathers even more healthy and shiny.
Birdseed Ornament Project
Supplies
· 1 cup coconut oil (Can also substitute with smooth or crunchy peanut butter)
· Wild birdseed (as needed to fit your molds)
· Silicone molds, any size and shape you want
· Twine and scissors
· Saucepan
· Spatula
· Parchment paper
Note: Oats, dried corn, unsalted nuts and dried fruit can be also be added. Also, when selecting silicone molds, consider options without a lot of detail and angles, as it’s easier to pop out a solid shape versus a very detailed one.
How to Assemble Birdseed Ornaments
Melt coconut oil in a small saucepan on low until it’s liquid.
Line your workspace with parchment paper or newspaper to catch any spillage.
I recommend using silicone molds that are the shape and size you want for your ornaments. The silicone mold makes popping out the ornaments much easier than when using cookie cutters for this project – plus, it holds the coconut oil better than a cookie cutter (which the oil tends to seep out from under).
Fill the silicone molds with bird seed. Cut enough twine to loop the twine into the bird seed, with enough length to hang from a branch outside (about 8 inches). (Put photo above here)
Pour the liquefied coconut oil over the birdseed in the mold until it’s completely full. Make sure the twine is poked into the liquid so that it can securely harden within the birdseed and coconut oil.
Once the molds are filled with seeds and coconut oil, allow them to cool for many hours, until completely hardened.
Transfer to the refrigerator for quicker hardening. Keep the birdseed ornaments in the refrigerator until use.
Hang the ornaments from branches around your backyard bird habitat for the wildlife to enjoy. Consider placing the ornament where a bird can perch to enjoy the treat but maybe not somewhere that is strong enough for a squirrel to sit, as they are known for stealing these special treats.
Note: For nut butter ornaments, mix all the ingredients together, put them into the mold or shape as you would like them. Nut butter ornaments can be placed in a suet feeder instead of hanging. If hanging, a string threaded through a needle can be used to add a hanger.
This article about making birdseed ornaments was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
