DIY Bird Seed Ornaments With Gelatin

What you need

This is a simple, low-cost project that works well for a rainy afternoon or as a homemade gift. The basic recipe uses:

• 2 cups of birdseed. Black oil sunflower or a mix without much filler works well.
• 2 packets of unflavored gelatin (check the package for the amount per packet).
• About 1/2 cup of water in total, part cold and part hot.
• Cookie cutters or small molds, lightly greased with cooking spray or a little oil.
• Natural twine, hemp or cotton string for hanging. Avoid ribbon or synthetic cord.
• Parchment paper and a straw or skewer to make the hanging hole.

Recipes vary a little, so adjust the water if the mix looks too dry or too wet. The mixture should hold together without leaving a pool of liquid.

Step-by-step

1. Sprinkle the gelatin over a couple of tablespoons of cold water and let it sit about a minute.
2. Add the hot (not boiling hard) water, about 1/3 cup, and stir until the gelatin is fully dissolved and clear.
3. Pour the liquid over the seed and stir until every seed is coated. Let it cool a few minutes.
4. Set greased cookie cutters on parchment paper. Press the mix in firmly, filling the mold completely.
5. Push a straw through the top edge to make a hole, or press a loop of twine into the mix.
6. Let the ornaments set in the refrigerator for a few hours or leave them to dry at room temperature, typically overnight or up to a day.
7. Remove the molds gently, thread the twine through the hole and tie it off.

Pressing firmly matters most. Loose seed is the main reason ornaments fall apart.

Is gelatin safe for birds?

Plain, unflavored gelatin is a protein made from animal collagen, and many bird-feeding guides use it as a binder. Stick to plain gelatin and water. Avoid flavored gelatin dessert mixes with sugar and dyes, and avoid corn syrup or other sticky additives that can foul feathers. There is not much formal research on gelatin as bird food, so think of these ornaments as an occasional treat instead of a main food source. Do not add salt.

Making ornaments without gelatin

If you would rather skip gelatin, there are other binders:

• Suet or rendered fat. Melted and mixed with seed, then chilled. Good for cold weather, when the extra fat helps winter birds, and woodpeckers and chickadees like it (see our guide to the best feeder for woodpeckers).
• Peanut butter and seed. Use plain, unsalted peanut butter with no xylitol or other sweeteners.
• Flour and water paste, or egg white and flour, which some bakers use to glue seed. These can break down faster in the rain.
• Agar-based binders, a plant-based option some crafters like.

Choosing seed

Black oil sunflower seed attracts many seed-eating birds. Adding millet, safflower or chopped nuts can broaden the appeal. Avoid mixes heavy in cheap fillers, which birds often leave behind. If squirrels are an issue, keep ornaments within reach of a baffle or out of their jumping range; see how to stop squirrels eating your bird food.

Hanging and weather

• Hang ornaments in cooler weather. Gelatin can soften in heat and can get moldy if it stays wet.
• Hang them in a sheltered spot, and take down any that turn soft, slimy or moldy.
• Place them within a few feet of a window or well away from one to lower the risk of window strikes.
• Use natural, biodegradable string cut short so it cannot wrap around a bird’s leg. Do not use fishing line or yarn.

Troubleshooting

• Ornaments crumble: not enough binder or not packed tightly. Add a little more gelatin mixture and press harder.
• Ornaments are too soft: give them more time to dry or chill.
• They stick in the mold: grease the cutter more or chill them before removing.

Birds that may visit

Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, finches, jays and woodpeckers all may try seed ornaments, depending on where you live. They are also an easy way to feed birds if you do not own a feeder. If you do want a more permanent setup, a hopper feeder holds far more seed.