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Birds Aren't Interested in Suet

I've hung an onion bag of suet next to my regular platform feeder for several weeks now, and haven't noticed a single bird partaking of it. We get lots of sparrows, finches, and junkoes at the feeder, but none seem interested in the suet bag. Any ideas how to get them to try the suet? The past week the temperatures have been in the teens to 30's, so it's certainly cold enough for them to want some extra energy.

Thanks!
Lynne

Answers: Birds Aren't Interested in Suet

Read answers for this question below.
By
09/15/2011

Get rid of the onion bag. The wings of the birds can get caught in them.

By
09/15/2011

I, too feed suet and my birds are all over it year round. Is the bag too close? Although Downy Woodpeckers are quite tame, Hairy and Red-Bellied are not! I had for the first time last year a beautiful Pileated (male) Woodpecker in my back yard. I believe he came because of the other birds that frequent here. Make sure your suet container is stable and maybe add some fruit, nuts or sunflower seeds as an incentive. Happy birding!

By
11/26/2010

Could the suet be rancid?

By
06/16/2010

Get rid of the bag. Get a metal feeder. They are cheap and the birds like them.

By Shelly (Guest Post) 12/17/2008

May want to use web in search engine..Suet recipes.
If it is raw suet, must cook the suet, cool, cook cool 3 to 4 times. take any hard skin etc off. You can then as it is cool roll and put birdseed on. You can mix peanut butter in the last cook and again add birdseed as it cools.
I find it takes birds a day to come as our smell is on. Birders say that if this is first time try rubbing some on a couple trees or shrubs in area to let birds know. If you add some peanut butter or birdseed they will know.
I am going to attempt to make pine cone feeders. these are on web also.
Lots of recipes using things you have on hand. Lots of fun watching these beautiful critters. If you have children it is fun to do some of these pine cones with kids.
A simple no cook is to take peanut butter and rub on pine cones roll in birdseed in pie plate, hang. Add a 12 inch piece of ribbon or string before adding peanut butter for hanger. Nice gifts once you get the Hang of It!!!
Have a nice Holiday...

By Bernadette (Guest Post) 08/27/2007

Just leave the suet bag hanging there. I had one up all winter long, and not one bird used it. As the spring came on, so did the birds. In no time the suet feeder was empty. I had a wonderful variety of birds at my suet bag. Even had woodpeckers enjoying it. When the weather cools a bit, I have another one to hang.

By JG (Guest Post) 05/24/2007

It took the birds 2 weeks to find my suet in its bag like an onion bag, but now they eat it all the time.

Could it be the onion smell they don't like?

By SunnyBC88 (Guest Post) 12/03/2004

I tried that once & found it to be the bag they don't like. I think their feet get tangled in the mesh & it scares them coming again. Suet holders of metal are great & cheap enough, or create one using old coat hangers, or large holed screen.

By Vic (Guest Post) 12/03/2004

I've never heard of suet in an onion bag. But I have a metal suet holder that are available everywhere. My boyfriend mounted it on a piece of wood (2 pieces nailed together to look like an L) that's nailed to the tree. I go through tons in the winter. Even the chipmunks & little squirrels eat it.

By Linda. (Guest Post) 12/02/2004

Mix suet and peanut butter. Put on pinecones, then roll in bird seed. Hang on trees. They'll come.

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