How to Make a Suet Bird Feeder
Last updated September 7, 2023
Set up a suet bird feeder to give your wild birds a much-needed nutritional treat. Suet is made from rendered fat mixed with bird seed, fruits, cracked corn and other ingredients birds find tasty. The suet cake gives birds the high concentrations of energy they need to sustain a constant high metabolism. Suet can be offered to birds year round and birds are especially drawn to it during the fall and winter. This bird feeder is easy to maintain, requires very little cleaning and can be effortlessly refilled.
Read this guide for the step-by-step instructions to make your own bird feeder in an hour or less.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Duration:
Under 2 hours
Table of Contents
Cut the Hardware Cloth
Measure and Draw Line on Hardware Cloth
Cut Wire Along Your Marked Lines
Fold Sides Into a Box
Tie the Edges and Thread the Sides with Wire
Connect the Sides of the Feeder
Cut the Hardware Cloth
Your choice of hardware cloth will allow birds that perch upon it to easily reach the suet inside. Hardware cloth of a 1/2-inch mesh is sufficient. You’ll need a pair of wire cutters or snips to cut a manageable piece of hardware cloth for the suet feeder container. Keep in mind the measurements you want your feeder to be.
Wear work gloves and safety glasses when cutting the wire hardware cloth. The frayed edges when cut can be sharp and cause injury. Cutting the hardware cloth can also send tiny bits of wire flying, which can also be hazardous.
Measure and Draw Line on Hardware Cloth
The finished size of the feeder in this project guide will be 4 3/4 inches wide, 5 inches high and 1 3/4 inches in diameter. The suet bird feeder will follow the layout of the shape of a regular box. Using a marker, follow the diagram pictured here to measure and draw the lines on the hardware cloth, or use it as a starting point if you have a custom size.
Cut Wire Along Your Marked Lines
Once you have your hardware cloth drawn, cut along the pattern with wire cutters or snips. Cut along your permanent marker lines as shown. The final piece should resemble the diagram sketch.
Fold Sides Into a Box
Now it’s time to fold the sides of your hardware cloth into an actual box.
- Use a metal-edged ruler for stability and set it against the line of the hardware cloth.
- Fold the wire over the ruler. The hardware cloth should not have any wire sticking out on the edges when you go to fold.
- Repeat this process for all sides.
- Trim any pieces like the ones shown to the left with wire cutters or snips.
Tie the Edges and Thread the Sides with Wire
Finish assembling the suet bird feeder cage by adhering the edges together. Thread thin-gauge wire between the two sides.
Connect the Sides of the Feeder
Twist the wire to make a loop connecting the two sides of the feeder. Continue winding the wire all the way up the side.
When you get to the top, trim the wire. Make sure there are no protruding sharp edges by bending the tip of the wire between the two sides of the feeder as best you can.
Repeat this process for the other sides of the feeder.
Spray Paint the Bird Feeder
Add spray paint to the suet bird feeder to protect the metal feeder from the elements. Choose a location to paint your feeder that’s well-ventilated such as a garage or a backyard.
- Use a piece of cardboard to rest the feeder on while you painting that’s large enough to allow you to easily spray around it on all sides.
- Shake the spray paint can vigorously before starting, and then hold it at least 6 inches away from the feeder as you spray in a steady, constant motion.
Add the S Hooks
The paint on the bird feeder should be completely dry before you attach the chain.
- Attach the small end of an S hook to each end of the chain. Use a pair of pliers to tighten the hook on the chain.
- Hook the large ends of the S hooks to opposing sides of the bird feeder. Make sure that the chain is attached to the middle of the feeder sides for balance.
Insert the Suet Brick
Now that you've completed the steps for how to make a suet bird feeder, insert your brick of suet into the feeder, hang, and get ready for some bird watching.
A DIY suet bird feeder can be put together with the right supplies and a little effort. The result is a feeding station that will attract many species of birds to your yard. Now that you know the steps of how to make a suet bird feeder, download The Home Depot Mobile App and search for the supplies to buy for your project.
