Can You Use Bacon Grease to Make Bird Suet? The Complete Guide

Bird suet is a great source of fat for birds that gives them the extra calories and nutrition they need, especially in the winter. Because suet is high in fat, it usually has things in it like beef fat, pork fat, or peanut butter. But can you also make bird suet with bacon grease? The short answer is yes, bacon grease works great in bird suet recipes!

In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about making bird suet with bacon grease including

• What is bird suet and why is it good for birds?
• What types of birds eat suet?
• How to make suet with bacon grease
• Tips for choosing bacon grease and other ingredients
• How and where to hang suet blocks
• Troubleshooting common suet problems

Read on if you want to use the bacon grease you have left over to feed the birds in your yard.

What is Bird Suet?

Bird suet is a high-fat bird food made by combining animal fats or vegetable oils with other ingredients like seeds, nuts, dried fruit, oats, cornmeal, etc The end result is a firm cake or block that provides lots of calories and energy for birds

Suet offers several benefits for birds:

• High-fat content – The main draw of suet is its high fat content, which gives birds 2-3 times more calories per ounce compared to seeds or nuts. This helps birds survive cold winter weather when they burn more calories trying to stay warm.

• Nutrient-dense – In addition to fat, suet can contain protein from peanut butter or insects, carbohydrates from grains, and vitamins and minerals from seeds and fruits This makes it a nutritionally balanced food source

• Boosts energy: The dense fat and nutrients in suet give birds a quick energy boost. The food helps them keep warm and gives them energy to hunt and fly.

• Accessible food source – Suet feeders provide an accessible, reliable food source for birds when natural food sources may be scarce. This supplemental feeding helps birds conserve energy and make it through harsh weather.

So in short, suet makes an excellent winter food to help birds survive and thrive through cold weather and food scarcity.

What Types of Birds Eat Suet?

Many backyard birds are attracted to suet feeders, especially during winter. Some species that commonly feed on suet include:

• Woodpeckers – Downy, hairy, red-bellied, and other woodpeckers all regularly visit suet feeders. They use their strong beaks to hammer away at suet.

• Chickadees – These tiny songbirds don’t look like they can pack away much food, but chickadees have very fast metabolisms and appreciate the quick energy from suet.

• Nuthatches – White-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches cling upside down to suet feeders while they snack.

• Titmouse – Tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees both swing by suet feeders.

• Wrens – Carolina and house wrens will grab bites of suet. Their small size means they can’t monopolize feeders.

• Woodpeckers – Hairy and downy woodpeckers visit suet, as do less common woodpeckers like red-bellied and pileated in some areas.

• Bluebirds – These beautiful birds sometimes come to suet in winter when their usual insects are scarce.

In addition to these common visitors, other birds like creepers, kinglets, starlings, jays, and even warblers may eat suet if it’s available. So suet attracts a diverse buffet of feathered friends!

How to Make Bird Suet with Bacon Grease

Making your own suet at home with bacon grease is simple. Here are some tips:

Choose your bacon grease

• Opt for grease from regular bacon rather than flavored bacon. Birds prefer plain rendered fat.
• Strain the grease through a filter to remove any charred bacon bits or impurities.
• Refrigerate bacon grease after cooking and remove any solidified fat, reserving the liquid grease for suet.

Pair bacon grease with:

• Peanut butter – For added protein and fat
• Cornmeal or oats – For carbohydrates and texture
• Birdseed – For extra nutrients from seeds
• Insects (dried mealworms, crickets) – For protein
• Fruit – Chopped raisins, dried cranberries, etc.

Basic bacon grease suet recipe:

• 1 cup bacon grease
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup birdseed

Melt the bacon grease and peanut butter together in the microwave or over low heat on the stove. Mix in the dry ingredients until fully combined. Pour the suet mixture into molds or cups, let cool and harden, then turn out the suet cakes and place in feeders.

Tips for optimal consistency:

• Melt the bacon grease just until liquefied, don’t overheat it.
• Let the suet mixture cool slightly before pouring it into molds so it begins solidifying.
• Use more cornmeal or oats to make firmer suet cakes if the mixture is too soft.
• Use more melted bacon grease or peanut butter to make softer, more malleable suet if the mixture is crumbly.
• Experiment to find your ideal texture!

Choosing the Best Bacon Grease for Suet

Not all bacon greases are equal when it comes to making bird suet. Here are some tips for selecting the best bacon fat:

• Look for natural, uncured bacon – Avoid bacon with preservatives, artificial ingredients, or additives like sugar. Stick to natural bacon for the healthiest suet.

• Avoid smoked or flavored bacon – The strong flavors and chemicals used to smoke or flavor bacon can be unappetizing for birds. Plain bacon grease is best.

• Use bacon grease in moderation – While bacon fat offers benefits, too much can be unhealthy. Limit bacon grease to about 1 cup per suet batch.

• Refrigerate after cooking – Properly storing cooled bacon grease prevents it from becoming rancid.

• Strain out particles – Bits of bacon or burnt oil are unappealing in suet. Strain to remove them.

• Check for freshness – If grease smells off or looks cloudy, discolored, or contains mold, don’t use it. Fresh grease makes the tastiest suet.

With high-quality, fresh bacon grease in moderation, you can whip up suet that birds will go nuts for!

Top Ingredients to Mix with Bacon Grease in Suet

While bacon grease can make up the main fat source in bird suet, it’s best to mix in other ingredients too for added nutrition and appeal. Some top add-ins include:

• Peanut butter – Adds protein and healthy fat; sticks suet together.

• Cornmeal – Provides carbs for energy and a crumbly texture.

• Oats – Gives carbs, fiber, and a chewy, grainy texture.

• Seeds – Bring healthy fats, protein, vitamins; attract seed-eating birds.

• Fruit – Dried cranberries, raisins, etc. add natural sweetness and nutrients.

• Nuts – Chopped nuts offer protein, fat; appeal to certain birds.

• Insects – Dried mealworms, crickets provide protein and fat.

• Whole grains – Varieties like millet, wheat berries, cracked corn, etc.

Mix and match any of these with your bacon grease to create custom suet for the birds in your yard!

How and Where to Hang Bird Suet

Bird suet is commonly served in suet feeders or wire baskets, but it can also go right on a tree branch or post. Follow these tips for hanging:

• Place suet in a location protected from rain so it doesn’t melt and spoil as quickly. Under eaves or a roof edge is ideal.

• Hang suet 5-10 feet off the ground to discourage dogs and cats but allow birds easy access.

• Avoid direct sun which can melt suet faster. Opt for shaded areas.

• Put suet near trees or shrubs so birds have a landing spot and place to flee predators.

• Make sure suet is tightly packed into the feeder or cage so it doesn’t fall out as birds peck at it.

• Use strong string or wire to hang feeders, and ensure suet cages are securely closed if using them.

Positioning suet to balance accessibility for birds with protection from sun and rain takes some experimenting. Observe where it melts fastest or needs refilling most often and adjust accordingly.

Troubleshooting Common Bird Suet Problems

Making and serving suet brings immense joy – when it goes right. But sometimes issues pop up. Here are solutions to common suet problems:

Problem: Suet is too soft and falls apart or melts too fast.

Solution: Add more grain or cornmeal to absorb extra grease and firm it up. Or try less peanut butter or bacon fat.

Problem: Suet crumbles easily and won’t stick together.

Solution: Melt a bit more bacon grease or peanut butter into the mix. The extra fat will bind it better.

Problem: Suet grows mold before birds can eat it.

Solution: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Refrigerate unused suet portions. Replace suet blocks more frequently in warm weather.

Problem: Suet falls out of feeder or birds can’t access it.

Solution: Ensure suet is packed tightly into feeders. Use cages or bags designed to hold suet securely.

Problem: Nuisance wildlife (squirrels, bears) eat the suet quickly.

Solution: Use squirrel-proof suet feeders. Hang suet at least 5 feet off the ground or 7 feet in bear country.

With a few tweaks as needed, you can perfect your bacon grease bird suet and provide fantastic feedings for feathered visitors!

Get Creative with Bacon Grease Suet Recipes!

The basic bacon grease suet recipe leaves lots of room for customization and creativity. Here are some fun variations to try:

• Cherry-Chocolate Suet – Add dried cherries and chocolate chips for fruit and sweetness

• Bug Suet – Mix in dried mealworms, crickets, or grubs for extra protein

• Nutty Suet – Incorporate chopped walnuts, pecans, peanuts, or almonds

• Fruity Suet – Mix in raisins, cranberries, chopped apples or citrus fruits

• Southwest Suet – Add cornmeal, crushed tortilla chips, peppers, and spices

• Berry Vanilla Suet – Mix in dried berries and vanilla extract

• Bacon Bits Suet – Toss in crumbled bacon bits (parcooked and dried)

The possibilities are endless for crafting creative suet recipes birds will gobble up. Track what flavors your feathered visitors favor and have fun concocting custom combinations!

Bacon grease can make an excellent addition to DIY bird suet. It provides a hearty fat source to help birds get the calories they need. Combining bacon fat with peanut butter, seeds, grains, fruit and other ingredients creates a nutrient-packed bird food to attract a variety of species to your yard.

With proper storage of unused bacon grease, careful selection of additional ingredients, and ideal placement of suet, you can provide a wonderful feeder full of fuel for your backyard birds. So don’t pour that bacon grease down the drain – put it to use whip up suet buffet your feathered friends will flock to this winter!