How to Hang a Suet Holder

Single Cage Hanging Feeders

• 1

  Insert the suet mixture into the single cage holder. Single cage hanging feeders resemble a cube of six sides with the center of the cage being hollow. The sides and top are constructed with metal wire grids spaced 1.5 inches apart, from which smaller birds will hang and eat the suet inside the cage.

• 2

  Clip the hanging chain to the top of the cage and secure the other end of the chain to the branch of a tree or a wooden post.

• 3

  Secure the cage against invasion from squirrels, raccoons and larger birds by using animal repellent devices or chemicals at the base of the tree or fence post and on the chain or cable. Make sure that the chain is strong enough to hold the weight of a good-sized squirrel or raccoon, in case they manage to latch on to the suet holder.

Natural Fiber Onion Bags

• 4

  Cut the top of the onion bag to a size that would hold about two good sized onions. Do not use the nylon type bags, as the nylon can trap small birds onto the bag and cause injury to the birds. Use the natural fiber bags that rip easily.

• 5

  Insert about four pounds of your suet mixture and wrap the bag tightly around it. Attach a string or chain by threading it through the bag and securing the other end to the branch of a tree or a fence post. Clinging birds will be able to hang on and feed. If you are having a problem with larger birds raiding the feeder, the onion bag feeder may not be a good option for you.

• 6

  Tie silverware to an old basketball hoop, using metal filament or fishing line. Secure the hoop just above the onion bag, so the silverware hangs over the area around the bag. This will discourage larger birds from robbing the feeder, as they will be unable to hover close to the feeder. Smaller birds can get under the bag and hang from it with no interference from the surrounding silverware.

Upside-Down Feeders

• 7

  Take a single cage feeder as described earlier. Construct a wooden frame that will surround all four sides of the cage and secure the cage from falling out of the frame with screws or small nails. Secure the hanging chain or strings to the sides of the cage, the section of the cage where the suet is inserted should be facing skyward.

• 8

  Cut a one-foot long plank in two, using an angled cut to form the roof of the feeder. Drill one hole in each section of the plank and insert one end of the strings or chains used to hang the feeder through the holes. The open end of the feeder should be hanging downward. Glue the roof sections together at an angle to resemble a roof.

• 9

  Lift the roof sections and insert the suet. Secure the other end of the strings or chains to the branch of a tree or to a yard hanger. This upside-down feeder will discourage large birds and squirrels from raiding the feeder while attracting nuthatch, woodpeckers and many clinging birds.