Make your own cookie cutter bird seed feeders using just two ingredients. Either hang them in trees around your property to attract beautiful wild birds or give them as gifts.

What you need:

• 2 cups bird seed
  Visit your local pet store or supermarket to choose the right bird seed for the birds you’d like to attract.
  If you’re making a bird seed feeder for pet canaries or budgies, make sure you use seed recommended for these breeds. If you’d like to attract wild birds, choose wild bird seed - this will normally include a mix of grass seed, canary seed, weedseed, oilseed rape, linseed, wheat, whole oats, etc.

• 2 sachets gelatine

• 2/3 cup boiling water

• Assorted large cookie cutters

• Cardboard straws

• Bakers twine

• Baking paper

What to do…

1. Dissolve 2 sachets of plain gelatine in 2/3 cups boiling water.
   Always ask an adult before using boiling water.

2. Add 2 cups of birdseed to a medium bowl.

3. Pour the dissolved gelatine into the birdseed and stir to combine with a wooden spoon.
   Stir until all the seeds are evenly coated with the gelatine mix and there is no excess fluid at the bottom of the bowl.

4. Line a tray with baking paper and space your cookie cutters out on the sheet.
   This recipe makes approximately 4 large bird seed feeders, but smaller cookie cutters will create more.

5. Use a teaspoon to fill each cookie cutter with the seed mixture until each is slightly over-filled.

6. Cover the cookie cutters with another sheet of baking paper and press down firmly into the moulds. The baking paper will stop your hands from becoming covered in sticky birdseed while also allowing you to tightly pack each cookie cutter with seed mixture.

7. Remove the top layer of baking paper and spoon more mixture into each cookie cutter to fill any gaps. Repeat step 6 until your cookie cutter is filled to the top but not overhanging the edges.

8. Choose a spot that’s not too close to the edge of the cookie cutter and insert a straw.
   Once the bird seed feeders have set the holes the straws will create will allow you to hang your feeders on trees.

9. Put the tray into a refrigerator for approximately 1 hour to set.

10. After an hour, remove the straws from each bird seed feeder and turn the cookie cutters over. Allow to dry in a cool, dry place for another 2-3 hours (overnight is best).

11. Once set, gently squeeze the cookie cutters to allow the bird feed feeders to pop out.

12. Thread the baker’s twine through each bird seed feeder’s hole and cut to length.

13. Ask an adult to help you tie your bird seed feeders to the branches of trees where your favourite birds frequent.
    Pro tips: Hanging your feeders where birds can perch on a nearby branch to peek at them is best. Also, don’t forget to hang them high enough that cats won’t be able to surprise the bird while they’re enjoying your gift.

Did you give it a go?

Send us a photo of your Cookie Cutter Bird Seed Feeders and you might find your creation featured on the Upstart website OR in a future issue of Upstart magazine… AND win a prize!