bird feeders

We used Crisco for a bird feeder. No problems.

Quote:Originally posted by kjtran:
[b]PA son signing up for day camp with boy scouts, I plan to volunteer the whole week and be a co-den leader. Find out today that they are making the traditional bird feeders with peanut butter. I called and reminded them of the peanut allergy, so now they are going with Manteca Lard. Anyone know about lard? Peanut free?[/b]
I have heard about crisco being used instead..but you also have to worry about what kind of birdseed they will be using. Most birdseeds on the market have peanuts in the seed or are manufactured in a plant where peanuts are used. So, you may want to look into using sunflower seeds, or breadcrumbs.

here's a link to previous birdfeeder project discussion- including in the posts is one (link I put in to PBS Sprouts birdfeeder craft) that was made with butter (or you could use crisco) and oatmeal---maybe you can do a safe variation- thought these discussions might help

[url="http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/Forum1/HTML/009014.html"]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/Forum1/HTML/009014.html[/url]

[This message has been edited by PennMom (edited April 19, 2007).]

Last night at our Day Camp Staff Meeting, I was very pleased to learn how our Nature Staff volunteers are planning the bird feeder craft.

Each boy will tie (knot tieing skill!) a string on 1/2 of a small bagel. He will spread Crisco on the bagel and, using the string, dip it into either a bag or can of seeds to coat (no hand contact with the seeds). Rather than hang them in the park, the bird feeders will be put in a baggie to be taken home at the end of the day.

Now, all I have to do is verify on the day of the craft that the items received are as ordered. E.g., the bagels are donated from a bakery and are to be nut & seed free. No one will be eating them but given my son's past contact reactions to sesame seeds, I'll make sure a very, very, very plain one is available for his use.