Homemade Bird Feeders Without Peanut Butter
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Have you ever made homemade bird feeders with your kids? It’s a fun and easy activity that also helps feed the birds in your yard!
We recently made some DIY bird feeders without peanut butter, as I’ve heard that peanut butter might not be the best for birds. Instead, we used gelatin as a natural binder, and the results were fantastic! The kids loved this project, and we enjoyed watching our feathered visitors enjoy their treat.
How to Make Homemade Bird Feeders Without Peanut Butter
Supplies Needed:
- 2 packages of unflavored gelatin
- ½ cup cold water
- 1¾ cups hot water
- 3 cups bird seed
- 1 cup raisins (optional, but birds love them!)
- Silicone molds, cookie cutters, or pinecones
- String, twine, or yarn (for hanging)
Instructions to Make the Homemade Bird Feeders:
Step 1: Prepare the Gelatin Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, pour in ½ cup of cold water.
- Sprinkle 2 packages of unflavored gelatin over the water and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Add 1¾ cups of hot water, stirring until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
Step 2: Mix in the Bird Seed
- Stir in 3 cups of bird seed.
- Add 1 cup of raisins (optional, but a great treat for birds!).
- Mix everything together until the seeds are well coated with gelatin.
Step 3: Shape the Bird Feeders
- Choose your molds:
- Silicone molds work best because the birdseed mixture pops out easily.
- Cookie cutters can also work—place them on parchment paper and pack the mixture inside.
- Pinecones make a great natural alternative! Press the seed mixture into the crevices.
- If using cookie molds, make a small hole in the center before the mixture hardens so you can thread string through it later.
Step 4: Let the Feeders Harden
- Allow the feeders to dry and harden completely, which takes about 6-8 hours (or overnight for best results).
- If using cookie cutters or molds, carefully remove the hardened shapes.
Step 5: Hang Your Bird Feeders
- Thread yarn or string through the hole and tie a secure knot.
- Hang them from tree branches, porch hooks, or anywhere birds frequent.
- Choose a location where you can watch the birds from a window or patio.
Helpful Tips for Success
- Use silicone molds – These work best for easy removal! Avoid metal molds, as the feeders tend to stick.
- Press firmly – Pack the birdseed mixture tightly to help it hold together.
- Hang in a quiet spot – Birds prefer feeding in peaceful areas where they feel safe.
- Try different seeds – Different bird species are attracted to different types of seeds. Experiment with sunflower seeds, millet, or nyjer seeds.
- Be patient! – Birds may take a few days to discover the new feeder, but once they do, they’ll keep coming back!
Enjoy Watching Your Backyard Birds!
Once your homemade bird feeders are hanging, sit back and enjoy watching the wild birds visit! This is a great way to teach kids about wildlife and the different bird species in your area.
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful season with your family and spending time outdoors! If you make these DIY bird feeders, I’d love to hear about your experience—drop a comment below!
Variations Using Lard or Shortening
If you’d like an alternative to gelatin, you can also make bird feeders with a recipe using lard or vegetable shortening as a binder.
How to Make a Suet-Based Bird Feeder:
- Melt 1 cup of lard or vegetable shortening in a saucepan over low heat.
- Stir in 3 cups of birdseed, plus optional mix-in ingredients like:
- Crushed nuts (great for woodpeckers and chickadees)
- Dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apples)
- Oats or cornmeal (helps with consistency)
- Pour the mixture into silicone molds or roll into balls and let harden in the fridge.
- Once firm, thread string through or press into pinecones for easy hanging.
Birds that love suet-based feeders: Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Blue Jays, Wrens Squirrels will love them, too!
Make Bird Feeder Christmas Ornaments!
In the winter, these bird feeders can double as Christmas ornaments for the birds! Use festive shapes like stars, hearts, or bells and decorate trees outside for a natural holiday display.
Winter Bird Feeder Tips:
- Hang them on bare tree branches to provide food when natural sources are scarce.
- Use red and green twine to make them look even more festive!
- Add dried cranberries or sunflower seeds for extra color and nutrition.
Wonderfully sweet birdseed feeders. Love it! Thanks for linking up to the Outdoor Play Party.
That is super cute! My kids have been asking to fill up our bird feeder, but this might be a better idea! Thanks for linking up to Bee Crafty Kids!