Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Beef Dripping / Suet etc

  • 29-12-2012 04:10PM
    #1
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,153 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,
    Feeding the garden birds is getting expensive what with buying the various seeds, peanuts new feeders fruit etc.

    One of the most popular feeders appears to be the berry suet blocks BerrySuet_1.jpg

    But these are nearly €4 each:eek:

    Looking for a cheap source of suet, lard or dripping so as I can mould something similar myself.

    Seems I can only find vegtable fat in my local supermarket and only in small blocks. I would ideally like to buy the equilivant of a couple of gallons of beef dripping or the like.

    Any ideas?
    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    I smell bad!!!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭I smell bad!!!


    I get all my supplies from The Corn Store in Bluebell, Dublin. I got 75 kg nyger seed, 60 kg mixed quality seed and 20 kg peanuts all for 180 euro. :D

    I buy pork lard from Tesco 59c for 250grms. I mix in the mixed seed. Let it set and put in my fat feeders. Much cheaper that buying fat balls by a long way.
    Website for The Corn store is http://cornshopdublin.com/index.php?p=4&c=13


  • #3
    Kess73
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,560 ✭✭✭✭Kess73


    Suet blocks for €4 :eek:


    Have seen them being sold for €1.50 each in pet shops.


  • #4
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 52,731 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    i was wondering about this recently as i was scraping the detritus from the bottom of a tray in which a leg of lamb was roasted - would this generally be safe to give to birds?
    similar for butternut squash seeds and melon seeds - would they be too big to be of use to birds?


  • #5
    Half-cocked
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,319 ✭✭✭Half-cocked


    I smell bad!!! wrote: »
    I buy pork lard from Tesco 59c for 250grms. I mix in the mixed seed. Let it set and put in my fat feeders.

    +1. You can also mix in crushed peanuts and porridge oats and some sultanas.


  • #6
    Clap your handsay yeah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27 ✭Clap your handsay yeah


    I smell bad!!! wrote: »
    I buy pork lard from Tesco 59c for 250grms. I mix in the mixed seed. Let it set and put in my fat feeders. Much cheaper that buying fat balls by a long way.

    I've tried to make these a couple of weeks ago with the tesco lard mixed with mixed seeds as well but it didnt turn out anything like the store bought fatballs/cake, it ended up been very soft even after been in the fridge to set. How did your's turn out, out of interest? :)


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    i was wondering about this recently as i was scraping the detritus from the bottom of a tray in which a leg of lamb was roasted - would this generally be safe to give to birds?

    Hey magic, on the RSPB website it doesn't recommend to use fat from cooking, heres a link to the page: What food to provide
    Cooking fat

    Fat from cooking is bad for birds. The problem with cooked fat from roasting tins and dishes is that the meat juices have blended with the fat and when allowed to set, this consistency makes it prone to smearing, not good for birds' feathers. It is a breeding ground for bacteria, so potentially bad for birds' health. Salt levels depend on what meat is used and if any salt is added during cooking.

    Lard and beef suet on their own are fine as they re-solidify after warming and as they are pure fat, it is not as suitable for bacteria to breed on.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    juuge
    Closed Accounts Posts: 792 ✭✭✭juuge


    Clap your handsay yeah wrote: »
    I've tried to make these a couple of weeks ago with the tesco lard mixed with mixed seeds as well but it didnt turn out anything like the store bought fatballs/cake, it ended up been very soft even after been in the fridge to set. How did your's turn out, out of interest? :)[/URL]
    Same here! Any suggestions out there?? :)


  • #8
    juuge
    Closed Accounts Posts: 792 ✭✭✭juuge


    About four years ago my Dad was buying peanuts for the birds in a seed shop in Newcastle Co Dublin. They charged him €30 for a 25kg sack. Today the average price in Dublin is between €50 and €75 for a sack. This is now well and truly outside his budget - so lard from Tesco @ 59c and some seed is a great idea.


  • #9
    squod
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,704 ✭✭✭squod


    I'm rinsing roasted peanuts (300g@43c) with boiling water to wash the salt etc off. Then mixing with Tesco value wild bird mix, 1kg@€1.99. V.limited budget.

    Getting a few visitors that I wouldn't normally get.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS7ks7u6C98


  • #10
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,153 ✭✭✭Mech1


    ok I bought the tesco lard (8 blocks) but the birds dont take to it as much as the store bought stuff, like this,
    BerrySuet_1.jpg

    I mixed in oats, black sunflower seeds, niger seeds, budgie mix, peanuts, tesco wild bird seed mix, rasins.

    mixture set up in tupperware box suitable size for commercial type feeders.

    But the birds have little interest compared to the bought blocks. Whats the "secret" addition?


  • #11
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,153 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Could it be the colour? maybe a little red food colouring in the mix?


  • Advertisement
Advertisement