❚ All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

How to make fat balls for birds

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
To do

Foods to avoid

Avoid using turkey fat, which doesn't set like suet and lard, and can coat birds' feathers, preventing them from being able to fly. It can also spread disease. You should also refrain from using raisins and sultanas if you have a dog, as they are poisonous to them. Bear in mind that mealworms are harmful to hedgehogs, so only add these if don't have hedgehogs visiting your garden.

Our fat balls for birds shopping list

You might already have what you need to get started on making your fat balls. If you don't, we've done the hard work for you with our handy shopping list.

How to make fat balls for birds

You will need:

Bowl
Lard or beef suet
Saucepan
Spoon
String or twine
Old yoghurt pots
Unsalted peanuts
Currants
Sultanas
Oats
Breadcrumbs
Cake crumbs
Grated cheese

Total time: 12 hours Including overnight refrigeration time

Step 1: mix the ingredients

Mixing together the dry ingredients — Mixing together the dry ingredients for bat balls

The best ratio for this fat ball recipe is one part fat to two parts dry mixture. Mix all your dry ingredients together in a bowl.

Step 2: add the fat

Stirring in the melted fat with the dry ingredients

Melt some lard or suet in a pan and add the dry mix. Stir well until the fat has all been absorbed by the dry mixture, and everything sticks together.

Step 3: make the fat balls

Tie string through the bottom of yoghurt pots and add the mixture

Make a hole in the bottom of a yoghurt pot and thread through a length of twine or string, then pack the pot with your warm fat mixture, to make fat balls.

Step 4: remove the yoghurt pots

Set the cakes in the fridge overnight then remove from the pots — Set the balls in the fridge overnight then remove from the pots

Place your fat balls in the fridge overnight to set, then cut through the pot and and peel it away. Tie a big knot at one end of the twine to secure the ball.

Step 5: hang the fat balls

Hang out the cakes in a sheltered tree or shrub — Hang out the balls in a sheltered tree or shrub

Hang the fat ball in a tree or shrub and wait for the birds to come and feast.

Kate Bradbury says
Keep a store of fat cakes in your freezer, taking just one or two out at a time on cold winter days. Never put them out in summer – in very hot weather the fat may melt and could smear onto birds’ feathers, preventing them from being able to fly.

Kate Bradbury

Where to place fat balls for birds

You can place fat balls anywhere you place bird food, such as from a specially designed hanging feeder to the bird table. If you have made them with string you can hang them from branches of shrubs and trees.

How to place fat balls for birds

If you added string or twine when making your fat balls, you can hang them from a branch of a tree or shrub. If you made them without string then you can add fat balls to a bespoke hanging feeder, or simply place them on your bird feeding table.

Frequently asked questions

Do fat balls for birds attract rats?

Fat balls for birds can attract rats, yes. Rats are grain eaters and are therefore attracted to bird food, but they are also generalists and may be attracted to the fatty mixture. If you want to help the birds but avoid attracting rats, focus on growing plants for birds that will help them to feed naturally.

Are fat balls healthy for birds?

As reported by the British Trust for Ornithology, recent studies have found that productivity in great tits and blue tits reduced when fed fat balls over winter, but increased in great-spotted woodpeckers. This raises concerns that fat balls might not be good for some birds, but more research is needed. What's certain is that growing berrying trees and shrubs, leaving seedheads on plants and growing caterpillar foodplants such as long grass, dandelions and nettles, is very good for birds as it helps them to feed naturally all year round. The more natural food we grow in our gardens, the more birds will be able to feed themselves.