Feed the birds and have fun making these beautiful cookie cutter bird feeders. This super simple birdseed bird feeder recipe is a great activity for kids of all ages. We have shared all kinds of simple bird feeders to make at home, these birdseed cookie ornaments are our favourite. Gather up everything you need to make a homemade bird feeder – a fun creative winter craft or any time of the year.
Want to learn how to make a cookie cutter at home? Discover 3 ways to make homemade cookie cutters.
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I’ve had a bag of birdseed sitting on the kitchen counter for a few weeks now. We had fun making and filling our little pumpkin bird feeders, and have you seen our amazing birdseed wreath? I have been wanting to make a cookie-cutter bird feeder for a while now.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought what better time to share some love with our over-wintering birds. In reality, this backyard bird feeder is perfect for any time of the year. Our recipe is super simple to make and the kids were amazed when it all came together…they had their doubts.
DIY Birdfeeder – How to Make a Cookie Cutter Birdfeeder
2 envelopes of gelatine (8-gram packets of gelatine – I use KNOX brand)
2/3 cup boiling water
2 cups birdseed – you may need more birdseed to thicken your mixture
heart shaped cookie cutters
string
parchment paper
baking sheet
toothpicks
Place the heart-shaped cookie cutters onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet – set aside.
Next, pour the boiled water into a large bowl. Dump in the gelatine packets and stir to dissolve the gelatine. Keep stirring until the powder gelatine is completely dissolved.
Now, pour birdseed into the large bowl with the dissolved gelatine.
Stir the gelatine and seeds together until the birdseed is completely coated and wet. You may need to add a little more birdseed, depending on how absorbent your birdseed blend is and what seeds make up your bird seed. The mixture shouldn’t be runny, it should be scoopable.
Hot Tip: Make sure you use a birdseed blend that is appropriate for outdoor birds that live in your area. We used a mix that is appropriate for small birds.
Now, use a spoon to scoop the birdseed into the cookie cutters. As you add the birdseed, be sure to press the birdseed firmly into the cookie cutter, compacting the birdseed so there won’t be any air spaces.
Use the toothpick to poke a hole in the birdseed cookie – this hole is where the string will go and how you will hang your bird feeder.
Now, it’s time for a little bit of patience. You need to leave the birdseed cookies to dry for a few hours, then turn them over and let them dry for a few more hours. Preferably overnight. The drying time will depend on the time of year and the humidity conditions where you live. This is why I suggest letting them dry overnight for the best results.
Once they have completely dried and hardened, gently slide the birdseed cookie out of the cookie cutter and feed the string through the hole. It’s okay if a few seeds fall off. I used a large cross-stitch needle to feed the string through…feel free to simply poke the string through.
Now it’s time to hang the cookie cutter birdseed bird feeder outside in a tree or bush in your yard.
It is also nice to take the birdseed cookies to your local park or schoolyard and hang them for other birds to enjoy. Be sure to go back in a few days and collect the string. Although, the birds might want to add the string to their nests.
Bird Shaped Cookie Cutters
How fun would it be to make a bird feeder with these beautiful bird-shaped cookie cutters?
A Twitter bird shaped cookie cutter
This simple baby bird cookie cutter shape would work very well for a bird feeder
Check out our post where we share 3 ways to make cookie cutters at home
Frequently Asked Questions About Bird Feeders
Where should I hang my bird feeder?
Most bird feeders, including these ones, should be hung high enough that the birds feel safe when they are eating. The birds also need enough space around the bird feeder to be able to fly up to the feeder. These feeders work best when hung in a tree where birds can perch and eat the birdseed.
Where can I buy birdseed?
Birdseed can be purchased at most garden centers, hardware stores, online, and in most bulk food stores.
Are bird feeders messy?
Well, yes and no. This style of bird feeder isn’t messy, because the birds will eat the entire thing. However, some seeds may end up on the ground below where the feeder is hanging. Large bird feeders often result in lots of seeds being spilled on the ground below. If you use birdseed that contains seeds in the shell (like sunflower seeds) then the birds will break off the seeds and leave the shells behind. If you want to cut down on the mess, don’t use birdseed that has shells.
What time of year should I hang a bird feeder?
It is best to hang bird feeders outside when food is scarce for birds – the fall and winter. However, when it comes to making a bird feeder with your kids and educating your kids about birds I truly believe any time of the year works best. Getting kids excited about nature is great anytime.
Is gelatin safe for birds?
After doing all kinds of research I can’t find any evidence that gelatin is unsafe for birds. Be sure your gelatin is free of sugar (don’t use Jello) and artificial colours. On that point, be sure to avoid using any sugars, like corn syrup. Sugars can disrupt birds’ digestion.
Can birdseed make a dog sick?
While you can check the makeup of your birdseed to make certain there isn’t anything in it that would be toxic to your dog (certain berries specifically) the real concern around dogs eating birdseed is the damage done by the seeds themselves. If your birdseed has the shells on the seeds, as most do, then a dog eating large quantities of broken shells isn’t great for its digestive tract. If you’re concerned, it’s best to contact your vet. If you have a dog you may want to take a picture of the birdseed ingredient list for future reference.
How long do birdseed ornaments last?
If you store the birdseed ornaments in an airtight container and in a dry location, they should last a few 4-6 months. Once you hang them up they are at the mercy of the elements – rain and snow will definitely impact their longevity. So, hang them on a dry day…or, let the elements get them. The worst that will happen is a bird (or squirrel) will eat the seeds off the ground.
Do you have a question about bird feeders? Send me an email at kitchencounterchronicle@hotmail.ca or drop a comment below. I’d be happy to answer your questions.
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If you loved making your own birdseed bird feeder…you will want to try some of our other bird feeder craft projects…
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How many feeders does the recipe make? Thanks!