Birdseed Ornaments Without Gelatin (Agar Agar and Coconut Oil)

Are you one of the many bird lovers who witnessed their homemade birdseed ornaments with peanut butter or birdseed ornaments with honey melt under the sun? These are a constant struggle for those living in areas with a generally warm climate all year round. That is why many are looking for birdseed ornaments without gelatin as an alternative.

There are tons of good recipes on the Internet other than birdseed ornaments with corn syrup. But it can be overwhelming and time-consuming to go through all of them, and we have picked some of the best and easiest ones. Get ready with your pen and paper, and take note of the following!

Birdseed Ornament Recipe Without Gelatin

Birdseed Ornaments With Agar Agar

Ingredients

Supplies

Step 1: Make an agar agar solution

Add cold water and agar agar powder to a pot. Whisk to dissolve the powder and bring the solution to a boil. Simmer for 2 minutes or until it thickens.

Step 2: Add the bird seeds and mix

Stir the birdseed mix in the solution until everything is well-coated.

Step 3: Scoop the mixture into the cookie cutters

With the cookie cutters on a parchment paper on top of the cookie sheet, scoop the mixture to shape. Fill it halfway.

Step 4: Loop the twine in the middle of the mixture

Place the looped twine in the middle and fill the cookie cutter all the way with the mixture. Pack down bird seeds and make sure they are firm.

Step 5: Let the mixture dry and harden

Leave the ornaments on the sheet to set and dry. It will take around two to three hours.

Step 6: Press out the ornaments and dry more

Once set, press out the ornaments gently. Continue drying them for a day on a cooling rack.

Step 7: Hang them in a good location

The birdseed ornaments are now ready to hang outside. Make sure to find a suitable location for them.

Note: Agar agar dries more quickly compared to gelatin. It is crucial that you work swiftly and keep the mixture a little warm. These will prevent the solution from hardening while you’re working.

Birdseed Ornaments With Coconut Oil

Ingredients

Supplies

Step 1: Melt and mix the ingredients

Add the melted lard or coconut oil and the birdseed to a bowl. Stir until all the seeds are coated evenly and nicely.

Step 2: Shape the mixture

Prepare the mini cutters, placing them on a parchment paper laid out on a baking pan. Spoon the mixture into the mini cutters to shape. Press down firmly.

Step 3: Make a hole

Place the straw into the shaped mixture to puncture a hole. This is where you will place the string to hang the ornament.

Step 4: Freeze to harden

Let the mixture dry and harden. Place it in the freezer for at least six hours.

Step 5: Thread the twine and hang

Remove the ornament from the cutter and pull out the straw. Loop the twine through the birdseed ornament and tie a knot. Find a good location where you can hang it.

Note: The melted coconut oil may seep when you put the mixture in the cookie cutters. Do not worry too much since you’ll still have enough to keep the bird seeds in place when it hardens.

Furthermore, here is another guide on making birdseed ornaments if you like.

Frequently Asked Questions About Birdseed Ornaments

Making bird seed ornaments is pretty simple. However, there are times when we face some hurdles or failed attempts along the way, and we question where we went wrong. Sometimes, we worry about whether this ingredient is okay for wild birds. Here are some of the most common questions about birdseed ornaments answered.

1. Do birds like birdseed ornaments?

Yes, because it has all the ingredients that they like. But make sure to hang them in an ideal location to attract your feathered neighbors.

2. Is coconut oil good for birds?

Coconut oil is often used instead of meal fat when making suet cakes. It has high levels of saturated fats, which makes it food for wild birds.

3. How long do homemade birdseed ornaments last?

This will depend on the weather in your region. For colder temperatures, it can last for months. In warmer months, these ornaments can go for two weeks. The number of birds feeding on them can also affect these times.

4. Do birds become dependent on bird seed feeders?

There is no distinct evidence that wild birds become dependent on feeders. The only time they become reliant on these is during extreme weather conditions where there is little to no food available for them to forage.

Conclusion

Birdseed ornaments without gelatin are the perfect substitute for homemade birdseed made of ingredients that melt quickly when exposed to sunlight. In addition, it is the key to making healthy birdseed ornaments that wild birds in your area will surely appreciate.

Did the birdseed ornaments without gelatin or corn syrup recipes we have listed be able to help you? You might know someone who needs it too! Have you tried following any of them yet? Share your story and experiences with us! You can also comment with tips that can help everyone make perfect homemade birdseed ornaments!

Clinton Atkins

George and I became friends after a birdwatching trip with our new group. And we have been enjoying every adventure together. When he told me the idea of establishing a site that shares our experiences and fun, I immediately agreed. After trials and errors, here we have Thayerbirding.