subject: Treat Cakes In Winter [print this page] Sometimes, seeds can seem like they are too hard to give to birds in the winter. They already have to go through so much, so making them chomp their way through hard seeds and nuts can seem cruel to some people. However, there are alternative feeding methods for birds. There are many different species of birds that may enjoy the simplicity of the nut feeder, and so it is always a good idea to have one or two of them out in the garden, they are also very low maintenance, so having them out does not require a lot of work.
Creating a feeding area for birds can be the best way to encourage them in to the garden. Take the quietest place in the garden and choose to place feeders there. The quietest place is usually the farthest from the home, if there are no other animals like pets in the garden itself. A cat or dog can disturb the garden at all hours of the day, and so it is important to place feeders high up if this is the case.
Suet is a simple combination of lard, and other ingredients, made specifically for birds to eat from in the winter. There is no real point to feeding birds suet in summer, as the warm weather will cause the mix to melt and become gooey. This can make it less attractive to the birds, as it will stick to their feathers or feet, becoming cloying and heavy, which in turn makes it harder for them to fly. This is why suet is most commonly bought and sold within the colder months, when the weather is suitable enough to keep the suet at a comfortable temperature for birds to get the most from it.
Treat cakes are made with suet, and they are mixed with particular ingredients. From peanuts and peanut butter, to mealworms and dried insects, treat cakes are usually filled with things that are not only tasty for the birds, but they are also packed full of energy and other things in order to help the bird be fuller for longer, and gain much needed weight.
Suet cakes can be hung on their own, from chords, or they can be placed in suet cake feeders. Many other predators like squirrels and such will try to steal the suet cake if it is left on a simple chord, and animals like foxes may see it almost as a toy to be taken, especially if it is quite low to the ground. This is why many people prefer suet cages and suet feeders, they make it more difficult for animals like squirrels to reach, yet they allow the birds to reach and feed from the suet cakes with ease.
Most species of bird will appreciate and eat from the suet balls, or suet cakes, placed in peoples gardens. They seem to intuitively understand the benefits of the cakes that will befall them should they take a snack on the cakes.
