How many suet balls do you hang up, and how often do you refill?
There's no fixed number. Start by putting one or two fat balls in the holder and see how quickly they're gone. Is it empty within a day and full of birds? Then hang a second holder in a different spot, so they don't have to crowd together.
In frosty weather, fat balls often go quickly, so refill as soon as the holder is empty. In mild, wet weather, fat goes off faster. Then put in a little less and check every few days that it's still good. In warm spells, it's best to leave the holder empty for a while.
Not sure whether a fat ball is still good? If it smells musty, has a white or black layer on it, or the seeds are starting to sprout, throw it away. Clean the holder now and then with warm water and a soft brush.
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Choosing a suet ball holder
Suet ball holders look alike, but you only notice the differences once one has been hanging outside for a few weeks. Keep these points in mind when choosing:
- An open tube without a net. Birds peck the fat out between the gaps and can't get stuck anywhere.
- A small roof or cap. It keeps out some of the rain, and fat that gets less wet stays good for longer.
- Room for more than one suetball. With a few balls stacked on top of each other, you don't have to refill as often when it freezes.
- Easy to clean. If you can easily reach the inside, you can keep the feeding spot fresh with just warm water and a brush.
- A sturdy hanging loop. A full holder weighs more than you think and hangs outside in all weathers.
- A protective cage, if needed. Are you mainly getting jackdaws, magpies or squirrels? Then a cage around the holder means small birds such as tits can eat in peace too.
Ideally, hang your holder where you can see the birds well, for example near your outdoor flowerpots or on the patio.
Making your own suet ball holder
The easiest homemade fat ball holder is half a coconut. You pour the fat straight into it and then simply hang up the shell. Here's how:
- Melt unsalted, unused frying fat without palm oil, or coconut fat. It should get warm, not hot.
- Stir in roughly the same amount of seeds, preferably an organic seed mix. Then let it cool slightly.
- Pour the mixture into the empty coconut half.
- Push in a good length of untreated sisal or hemp string before the fat sets.
- Has the fat set firmly? Then hang the coconut outside by the string.
Don't use chicken feed, because those seeds are too big and too hard. Also leave out olive oil and other liquid oils, because they can damage birds' feathers. Youβll find more tips from the National Trust. Is the coconut empty? Then simply fill it again, or put ready-made fat balls in the fat ball holder.
Where do you hang the suet ball holder?
Tits look for their food mainly in trees and shrubs. That's also where they feel safest at your suet ball holder.
A good spot
- In or close to a tree or shrub
- In a different spot from your seeds or bird table, so different birds don't get in each other's way
- At a height where you can easily reach it to refill and clean
Better not
- In full sun, because the fat softens and goes off faster
- Above a tiled path or patio, because crumbs left lying around can attract rats and mice
- In a spot where pigeons and crows rule. If you can't avoid it, choose a holder with a cage around it that only lets small birds through
Not many trees in your garden? A good-sized shrub in a planter also gives your suet ball holder a nice spots
Frequently asked questions about fat ball holders
Which birds visit a fat ball holder?
Mainly tits, such as the great tit and the blue tit. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and tree creepers also love fat. Blackbirds and robins don't hang on a holder so easily. For them, you can crumble a suet ball and put it on a board or bird table.
Can a fat ball holder go on a balcony too?
Yes, definitely. Great tits and blue tits are often the first visitors on a balcony. Hang the holder from the railing or a hook, and put a few flowering plants next to it for some extra life on your balcony.
Can you put out fat balls all year round?
You can feed garden birds all year round, but fat is mainly something for the cold months. In summer, it goes off quickly. Then give birds seeds or some fruit instead.
What do you do if you see sick birds at your feeding spot?
Stop feeding for two weeks, so the birds don't gather in one place. Clean the fat ball holder thoroughly during that time.
Where can you find more things for birds in your garden?
In the Wildlife Gardening from elho, you'll find bird houses, bird feeders and insect hotels alongside suet ball holders.
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