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I enjoy giving the birds in my backyard the food that they love to eat, and that includes providing the best suet feeder. I also like to provide squirrel proof options to my suet cakes go to the birds and not the squirrels!
So, how do you find the best suet bird feeders?
In this article, I take a look at the top 6 suet feeders and give my opinion on which ones are worthy of your backyard for attracting a variety of birds.
Top 6 Best Suet Bird Feeders
Best Large Suet Feeder
Rating: 96 of 100
Our Top Pick: Stokes Select 38129 Cake Suet Buffet Bird Feeder
The Stokes Select suet feeder is ranked in my book as the top suet feeders available today for a variety of reasons. This bird feeder is a classic design but has double the capacity due to it’s stacked cage design.
The stacked design allows for 4 suet cakes, offering your backyard birds a feast! I travel often. The upside of having the stacked design allows me to fill up my feeder before going on a trip and knowing that birds will enjoy my treats without running out of feed.
What’s Good
- Holds four cakes
- Solid steel, powder-coated construction
- Cage grid designed with clinging birds in mind
- Metal roof design diverts rain and snow
- Easy to hang suet feeder
- Low-maintenance bird feeder
What’s Bad
- Not Squirrel proof
- The door can be opened by crafty squirrels (although some DIY modifications can help prevent this)
Best Squirrel-Proof Suet Feeder
Rating: 94 of 100
Editor’s Choice: Squirrel-X Double Suet Feeder
This feeder is top of the list when looking for a squirrel-proof option. It has a double suet cake capacity and has a cage that surrounds the suet cages, preventing squirrels from getting the food. This feeder design is also great for preventing larger birds from eating all your suet cakes.
What’s Good
- Squirrel resistant
- Holds two suet cakes at a time
- Steel lid helps to keep the rain out of suet cakes
- Powder-coated, weather-resistant steel cage
What’s Bad
- Won’t deter from other aggressive birds like grackles and starlings
- Some birds seem to struggle with the outer cage
Best Upside Down Suet Feeder
Rating: 93 of 100
Best Value: Birds Choice SNUDD Recycled Double Cake Upside Down Suet Feeder
Upside down suet bird feeders are great for attracting woodpeckers however other types of birds do not adapt well to feeding upside down, such as starlings. This Birds Choice feeder is a winner in this category due to the ease of installing suet cakes and the ease of hanging. However, keep in mind that if you have a squirrel problem in your backyard, this may not be the best choice.
What’s Good
- Made from recycled poly-lumber construction
- 2 suet cake capacity
- Hanging bird feeder
- Good-looking and sturdy
- Long-lasting and eco-conscious
What’s Bad
- Can take a while for birds to learn how to eat from it
- Not good for squirrel prevention
Best Suet Feeder For Woodpeckers
Rating: 93 of 100
Best Tail Prop Suet Feeder: Nature’s Way Tail Prop Cedar Suet Cake Feeder
A tail prop suet feeder is a great choice for birders that want to attract woodpeckers in their yard. These types of feeders offer a great long tail prop. Woodpeckers prefer feeders with tail props as that helps them stabilize themselves as they feed.
This pileated suet feeder is an easy and great way for attracting a variety of woodpeckers to your yard.
What’s Good
- Good, simple tail prop design
- Made from cedar
- Designed with skerfs to provide additional gripping surface
- Cage is made with rust-free wire mesh
- Includes vinyl-coated steel hanging cable
What’s Bad
- 1 cake capacity
- vulnerable to squirrels unless you get creative in your hanging method
Best Window Mount Suet Feeder
Rating: 91 of 100
Wildlife Sciences Window Suet Feeder
Window suet feeders are a great option for watching birds eat up close and personal. Due to the weight and the power of the suction cups, these types of bird feeders are typically offered with a single suet cake cage. If you are looking for the best suet feeders to mount on your window, this is the product to check out!
What’s Good
- PVC coated snap locking cage
- 2 powerful suction cups
- Easy to mount
What’s Bad
- Small capacity
Best Suet Log Feeder
Rating: 95 of 100
Kettle Moraine Cedar Suet Plug Log Feeder
If you are looking for unique types of suet feeders that will attract a variety of birds, suet log fits the bill. This suet log feeder comes with 4 plug holes, ready to be filled with suet. This log styled feeder must-have to add variety to your collection of suet feeders.
One thing to note, suet logs do not accept regular cakes. Instead, they have holes in the log and suet needs to be packed into the holes. Also, this particular suet log has cracks in the log and the cracks will most likely grow as the suet log drys over time. This is by design and should not be thought of as a defect.
What’s Good
- Made of solid northern white cedar (3.5″ Diameter Log, 16″ Long)
- 4 suet plug holes
- Easy to fill suet log
- Comes with a large hanging hook
What’s Bad
- Doesn’t take a regular cake
Things To Look For When Selecting The Best Suet Feeders
What Is The Overall Feeder Construction?
A suet feeder can be made from a variety of materials, such as cedar, recycled plastic, metal, etc. One thing to keep in mind when deciding on the best feeder for your yard is how it will be used, the weather conditions it will be exposed to and what types of animals and birds frequent your yard.
How Many Suet Cakes Can It Hold?
Is the feeder a single suet cake feeder or a double suet cake feeder or more? If you are looking for a feeder that doesn’t require as many refills, one that holds two suet cakes will be the best option for you. Personally, I like a feeder that has a higher capacity, reducing the need for me to refill frequently. This is especially helpful for when I travel and am not home as frequently as a single cake feeder would require.
Is It Squirrel Proof?
Tired of squirrels constantly eating all the suet? If so, then look for a suet feeder that has a proven track record of deterring squirrels. Keep in mind that there are pros and cons to buying a feeder that is more squirrel proof than others. Also, there are ways to install a “non squirrel-proof” feeder that will minimize or eliminate interference from those pesky critters.
How Does The Suet Feeder Hang?
Understanding where and how to hang a suet feeder is an important factor to consider prior to buying yours. For example, hanging a pileated suet feeder will differ dramatically from installing a feeder on a window. Have a plan for where and how you will hang your feeders. Also, think about what birds you want to attract with suet and let that decision guide you towards selecting the best feeders for your yard.
Suet Cage Construction
Better suet cage construction will consist of rust-free wire or powder-coated materials. Look for this type of construction in your suet feeders. Also, look for how it is attached, this will vary based on the type of feeder (tray feeder, one cake feeder, two cakes, etc).
Suet Bird Feeder FAQs
Where is the best place to put a suet feeder?
Think about what kinds of birds you want to attract to your suet feeding stations. Small birds, larger birds, a pileated woodpecker, downy woodpecker, etc. The answer will help guide you to the proper location. Also, consider squirrels and how to install your feeder to minimize “squirrel theft” and maximize bird feeding.
Another consideration is the feeder construction. Is it made from high quality, recycled material that is rot resistant? If so, it can go in a relatively wet area that doesn’t get a ton of sunlight.
What is the best suet?
There are many different recipes and ingredients that go into feeder suet. And, this depends on what kinds of birds you want to attract. Birds that like suet are typically woodpeckers (downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, larger woodpeckers), chickadees, nuthatches, jays and starlings. There are some other types of birds that will nibble from suet feeders such as wrens and warblers.
Suet is basically lard (or fat) that is mixed with nuts, fruit and cornmeal. This is a high protein favorite and the recipes can vary up. One thing to be aware of is that suet can go rancid very quickly, especially if it is not made from high-quality food products. A great way to avoid this is to make your own.
Better quality suet will hold up better to higher temperatures. Cheaper suet will have lesser quality ingredients. Be sure that each bird gets the best in your yard by purchasing only top-rated products. Alternatively, you can make your own (see below).
What Is A Good Suet Recipe?
This is an easy, “no-melt” recipe, good to use to attract woodpeckers, smaller birds, and everything in between.
- Melt one cup of lard with one cup of peanut butter and mix together.
- Mix together two cups of oats, two cups of cornmeal, one cup of flour, and 1/3 cup of sugar.
- Add to your dry mix a combination of seeds. For example, millet or sunflower seeds.
- Combine the dry mix with the lard and peanut butter mixture.
- Form into cakes and place them into your suet cages.
Your backyard birds will like this easy to make recipe and you’ll have eating birds loving your creation in no time at all!
You can modify the above recipe to include items like chopped up dried apples or other fruit such as cranberries or blueberries.
Keep this in mind: homemade suet should only be used in colder climates. Homemade suet can become rancid quickly with warmer temperatures. If you do live in a warmer climate, consider buying commercially available suet for your feeders.
How do you attract birds to a suet feeder?
First and foremost, be sure that your bird suet is not bad and rancid. Birds will not come to your feeder if the suet is not good!
Another tip is to install your suet feeder with a squirrel baffle so squirrels don’t scare off birds with their aggressive and obnoxious behavior.
If you are in a warm weather climate that has temperatures above 70°F, refrain from feeding birds suet. This is because your suet will go bad quickly and become sticky. That could lead to problems with a bird’s feathers. Suet should be used to feed birds in cooler climates and in the winter.
Don’t worry if you find that a bird isn’t flocking to your feeder. It can take time for birds to find and like it. If it is a brand new feeder, give it several weeks before trying a new spot.
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