Homemade Seed Cylinder (Seed Log)

Store-bought seed cylinders aren't cheap, so I decided to make my own.

My birdseed had raw peanuts and mealworms in addition to birdseed. Cost-wise, because my seed mix contained peanuts and mealworms, I calculated the cost of my homemade seed cylinders to be $3 each. Decent savings and a fun project.

Written by Sara Noel

Homemade Seed Cylinder (Seed Log)

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Store-bought seed cylinders aren’t cheap, so I decided to make my own: birdseed held together with unflavored gelatin, packed into a mold, and chilled until firm.

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Prep Time15 minutes minutes

Total Time15 minutes minutes

CoursePet Treats

CuisineAmerican

Servings1 seed log

Ingredients Directions Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 5 cups birdseed any mix; mine had raw peanuts and mealworms
• 2 packets unflavored gelatin 0.25 ounce each
• 4 tablespoons cold water for blooming
• 2/3 cup boiling water

Directions

 

1. Bloom the gelatin: sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the boiling water to the bloomed gelatin and stir until it is completely dissolved.
3. Pour the gelatin mixture over the birdseed in a mixing bowl. Stir well until all the seeds are evenly coated.
4. Line the cylinder mold with parchment paper. Pack the seed mixture in tightly, pressing it down firmly as you go.
5. Insert a dowel or the handle of a wooden or plastic mixing spoon to make the center hole.
6. Refrigerate in the mold, with the dowel in place, for 24 hours. If it is solid, you’re good to go. If it doesn’t feel solid, wait another 12 hours.
7. Remove the cylinder from the mold and carefully remove the dowel or spoon handle. If the seed log feels wet or too tacky after unmolding, let it air-dry for 24 to 48 hours before use. Place it on the feeder and enjoy watching the birds.

Notes

You’ll need a cylinder mold about 4.6 inches across and 7 inches tall, parchment paper, a dowel or the handle of a wooden or plastic mixing spoon, a mixing bowl, and measuring cups and spoons. Pack firmly; it helps the log hold together. Plastic or smooth wooden handles release more easily. If your mixture seems very wet, add a little more seed. Store extra seed logs in the fridge or freezer.

Step by Step

How I Made Mine

For my mold, I used the plastic container that a store-bought seed cylinder came in. My homemade seed cylinder was easy to remove because it was lined with parchment paper.

When filling the mold, pack the seed mixture in firmly, pressing it down as you go. I used a plastic lid that fit inside the mold to tamp the seed down evenly.

I had a long-handled mixing spoon I could use to make the center opening, but I chose to use a spare seed log feeder. I ended up transferring it to my other seed log feeder.

Add-Ins to Try

I considered adding dried cranberries or dried black soldier fly larvae, but I didn’t feel like making an extra trip to the store. You might want to use other ingredients such as sunflower seed hearts, safflower, suet nuggets, or dried fruit.

Make It Bigger

If you want to make yours bigger, consider one of these as a mold:

• PVC pipe
• An oatmeal container
• A protein powder container
• A coffee can
• A powdered drink mix canister
• A large plastic deli container

I’m currently eyeing my 5-pound Country Time lemonade container and my 3-pound Tim Hortons coffee can. 😂