Is there a less expensive way to provide suet than the pre-packaged cakes in feed and bird stores?
Suet comes from the hard fat located around beef kidneys and loins. It can be purchased from your local grocery store, though you might need to call ahead to make sure they set some aside for you. You can use the suet raw, or you can make your own suet cakes or suet-filled pine cones. Cut the suet into small bits, melt it in a pan with a little water and birdseed or peanut butter. Pour into muffin pans and let them cool. Or, dip pine cones into the mixture until they are coated with the mixture. You can hang these around your yard. Although many feedstore-bought suet cakes can be used year-round, don’t provide your homemade cakes once the temperature reaches 70 degrees, or they can become rancid.
