Dangling suet balls put an end to growling bird bellies. So that the shy guests in feathers accept the offer of food, a bird-friendly location is important. Read the best tips here on how to properly hang suet balls in the bed and on the balcony.
How do you hang suet balls correctly?
Tit balls should be hung in a partially shaded to shady location protected from rain and wind, ideally in a treetop with a clear approach path. Avoid netting to prevent injuries from entangled claws. Pay attention to minimum distances from windows and potential predators, such as cats and martens.
Hanging fat balls in the garden – tips & tricks
In the winter hobby garden, suet balls benefit hungry garden birds because the natural food sources have dried up. You can buy the energy-rich dumplings ready-made or simply make them yourself. Because the rich buffet is aimed at extremely shy guests, the right location is important. How to properly hang suet balls in the garden:
- In a semi-shady to shady location protected from rain and wind
- Ideally hanging freely in a treetop with a clear approach path for small birds
- Hanging on the thin branch that supports a maximum of suet balls and tits
- Extra tip: Hang suet balls without a net so that small claws cannot get caught
If you hang suet balls in the garden, there should be no hiding places nearby for cunning cats and predatory martens. When choosing a location, give preference to a box seat that is easy to see so that you and your children can enjoy the numerous visits from happy birds.
Hanging fat balls on the balcony – this is how it works
Balcony gardeners don't abandon hungry birds in winter and hang up suet balls. Important criteria when choosing a location ensure carefree, safe feasting for feathered guests:
- Hang fat balls on the north, west or east balcony
- Protect location from direct sun
- Inaccessible to ravens, magpies and pigeons
- Extra tip: either 50 to 80 cm in front of the window or more than 5 to 10 m from the window
Stickers are very helpful to protect against a collision with the balcony window. If the distance between the fat ball and the glass pane is less than one meter, birds are particularly attentive when approaching. The highest risk of accidents is if you hang the dumplings at a distance of between two and five meters from a pane of glass.
Hang up tit balls to protect them from theft - this is how it works
If you hang suet balls in the bed or on the balcony, uninvited guests will not be far away. Winged thieves, like corvids, make the dumplings disappear at night and in fog. In the garden, martens, raccoons and other furry predators feast on the fatty morsels. How to thwart dumpling thieves:
- Hang up fat balls in a metal feeding spiral
- Fill several food dumplings without a net into the food dispenser and hang them up
- Extra tip: Buy a supply of fat balls inexpensively in a bucket (100 pieces (€19.00 on Amazon)), store in a cool and dry place
The metal suet ball holders with metal spirals or rods offer the birds a safe, comfortable place to sit. The food dumplings stacked inside are only accessible to small bird beaks.
Tip
If you hang a nesting box, suet balls are the perfect food source for stressed bird parents. Fat balls with a mix of grains, berries, insects and cereal flakes are suitable for all garden birds. Grain eaters such as sparrows, tits and woodpeckers will find what they are looking for here, as will soft food eaters, especially thrushes, robins, blackbirds and wrens.
