Been So Flocking Long Dough™
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Chick starter, black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), oats, flour, cornmeal, lard and natural peanut butter mixed into a soft, crumbly dough bluebirds love. Offer sparingly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chick starter unmedicated
- 1 cup dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL)
- 2 cups quick oats
- 3 cups white flour (whole wheat spoils too quickly)
- 1½ cups yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup lard (vegetable shortening works, but birds prefer lard)
- 1 cup natural, unsalted peanut butter
Equipment
- saucepan
- mixing bowl
Directions
- Mix the dry ingredients, including the BSFL, together in a large bowl.
- Melt the lard and peanut butter together in the microwave.
- Pour the melted fats slowly into the dry mix, stirring gently, until a dough forms.
- If it turns gummy, stir in a bit more flour and cornmeal until it is soft, dry and crumbly.
Notes
Offer ½ cup once a day as a winter or early-spring treat, only below 55°F, in a small covered dish (it’s too crumbly for a suet cage). Store in mason jars in a cool place.
Safety: withhold in late spring and summer; offer sparingly, the older recipe without chick starter caused gout in bluebirds eaten in excess; chick starter corrects protein and calcium.