Ideas for (cheap) feed on bird table

[ksg1970]

Our feeders are being emptied several times a day and I am trying to think of ways of feeding the birds but on a budget as I may be bankrupt if I keep on buying seed/fatballs etc. I want to keep the bird table stocked up as the birds visit several times a day. Any ideas on what I can do on a relatively low budget ?

[bobbarber]

Hello ksg1970, fat balls are expensive, but you can make your own. Save all your fat and oil left over from cooking and pour into heat proof container and store in fridge adding more when you get it. When you have sufficient, melt it and mix in some seeds, cheap porridge oats, crushed up peanuts etc. and stir into a thick mixture and put into moulds e.g. egg-cups and put in fridge to harden. You can then knock them out and place on bird table. Don`t put in nets as birds can get tangled up in them. If you cut the rind off bacon and tie up in bunches the birds love it. Any left over cooked potatoes are o.k. Don`t forget to give the birds some water, an upturned dust bin lid makes a good birdbath. Good luck...Bob