Suet

[Esmo]

Does anyone know where I can get the basic Suet, so that I can make my own Suet blocks ?

Esmo.

[oldtwitcher]

Hi Esmo,Suet grains are available from the following suppliers:-
www.livingwithbirds.com (Jacobi Jayne) Catalogue number SG-1 & SG-3
ALSO Suet Pellets
www.gardenbird.com catalogue number (2007) RD02
HTH
DE Peter

[Esmo]

Thanks for the info. I'll order some.
I've been mixing some bird cake using lard to bind it but it's not very good. It does attract Grey Squirrels though !

Thanks again.

[Jenny]

Esmo,

I've been using lard for some years and find it works if you make a very stiff mixture. I tend to make batches and keep in fridge until needed. Lard is not good if you have a sunny site but mine only gets sun in morning and evening - by which time 500gms of bird cake have usually disappeared into beaks!

www.gardenbird.com (http://www.gardenbird.com) - you'll be okay with your location, but, like so many firms, they don't deliver to non-UK mainland destinations. Thank heavens for CJs!

[chilternbirder]

I always bought mine from Sainsbury's

[Jenny]

I always bought mine from Sainsbury's

Nearest Sainsbury's is 93 miles away alas! :)

[Kerry L]

Jenny - was going to post letter today - prepare for a red cross parcel instead!
Kerry;)

[Jenny]

No chance of it getting here, Kerry - ferries up the spout again!!:rolleyes: Local schoolkids from Ardnamurchan are stranded here . Looks like a heavy week coming up and the ground's so waterlogged that my feeders on poles are just blowing over in the gales - not that my poor birds are keen on the wind! I braved it this morning to put out a birdcake and to tie down the peanut holders plus chuck seed, cheese gratings and sultanas down the bank and under the holly but having rescued the wheelie bin twice, can't blame the birds!

[Kerry L]

Sorry Jenny, I have been side-tracked - the end of the world for Number One son and his now ex "THE ONE" - hoping to get something out this week. I've seen the weather forecast for your area and I can confirm that I am in no way jealous!;)
First chance at computer and being ushered out again, bah humbug!
Kerry

[Jenny]

Hi!
Well the roof is still on and after yesterday (son got stuck on mainland because of weather :rolleyes: ), it's quieter today and I've just had a lovely treat - the tree sparrows are back. They're not common up here, but I have two (hopefully pair) and so, whilst mundane, it's quite exciting to have them.

Back to suet issue - local butcher is now selling beef dripping at very reasonable prices - is there any issue about using this for bird cake? At least I know where it's come from!

[Kerry L]

Hi Jenny
Don't see the problem with the butchers special, as long as it is firm enough when it is cools down and holds the seeds together - give it a test run. Hopefully letter going in post tonight - car written off - upside down - slow speed shunt from behind and high kerbs spun and flipped me - I'm OK, just cuts and bruises.
Take care EVERYBODY - 20 mph can still be dangerous!
Kerry aka Captain Scarlet
xx

[Jenny]

Hi, Captain Scarlett AKA Kerry - glad to know you're okay, but bet you're really shaken so take care!

Butcher's special trial is looking good - very hard, even round sultanas. We'll see what birds think of it!

Sex does flourish in a cold climate! The pond is full of frogspawn!

J xx

[thud]

When my mother bought a piece of beef she always had a large lump of "suet" that the butcher appeared to throw in for free. It was placed on top of the joint while it was roasting. These days no one does that of course but I wonder what the butcher does with those lumps of fat?

Is that the source of the stuff that comes in the Atora boxes? Similar texture I would imagine after the mincer..

[thud]

Wonderful thing Google - try 'suet'.

http://baltimorebirdclub.org/by/suet.html

[Kerry L]

Sorry Jenny - still not posted package - just a few problems this end, nothing to worry about though - shall let you know once it is finally in the P Off - which keeps changing shops in the village and is now hiding in the back of the video shop! This blooming place is driving me potty!
Atora is still the favourite suet here and the veggie version is the last to be consumed.
Regards, Capt. Scarlett

[victorpony]

Back to suet issue - local butcher is now selling beef dripping at very reasonable prices - is there any issue about using this for bird cake? At least I know where it's come from![/quote]

I've used this in the past, but like the lard, you do need to keep it cold. Guess that's not a problem just now but don't hang it in direct sun or it makes a mess.
Victorpony