bird feeders

I have heard of using Crisco instead of PB too, but I have never tried either alternative so I can't say if one works better than that other, sorry!

Our cubs scouts used Crisco and the birds loved it! They mixed the Crisco with Cheerios.

Be careful to check the ingredients on the bird seed. Some contain peanuts.

You can use any rendered fat. I've used palm shortening. The suet cakes I buy contain rendered beef fat. I don't buy meat products otherwise and I can't use soy or peanut, so crisco isn't an option for me at all.
The birds seem fine with palm shortening, though you might want to contact your local ag extension office to ask.
Also, don't buy a birdseed mix containing milo--most North American birds don't eat it, so you're paying for stuff that just ends up in the ground as trash. If you want to provide brown, raw compost for your lawn, go ahead. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img] Anyhow, milo is basically expensive filler. We buy our birdseed from actual birdshops. It's cheaper than the "pro" blends at the supermarket that contain non-edible seed like milo, but we have to buy it in bulk. That's fine with me--I can make sure that I'm buying a specific kind of seed or a soy-free, peanut-free mix.
ygg

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.