Been So Flocking Long Dough™

Course Pet Treats

Cuisine American

Keyword backyard birds, bird feeding, bird suet, bluebirds

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 5

Total Time 25

Servings 12 cups

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

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.