What Holds Bird Seed Bells Together?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I think this is a little bit more of an IMHO type of thread than a General Questions one but if I’m wrong, mods, please move me.

When I moved here at the beginning of February, I bought one of those bird seed bells for my patio. Later, I also got a suet block and a standard tubular loose seed holder but the birds seem to like the bell the best. They’re more than halfway through it now and I can’t seem to find any more bells. Maybe its a winter item that the stores won’t be stocking again for a while.

So, I’m wondering how to make my own bird seed bells. Sticking all those seeds together is the hard part. I’ve always heard that sugar is bad for birds so that’s out. Egg would make them stick but I’d worry about it going bad after a few days. Maybe honey? How do you get it to dry? Would baking take out the good seedy nutrients? I’m out of ideas and am wondering if any bird-loving Dopers can help me. What is the secret ingredient in those things?

2

Honey, I thought?

3

I’d guess suet. I think they can be made with peanut butter too. Or at least PB can be used to stick bird seed to big pine cones that can be hung outside for the birdies.

4

I suppose formulas from various manufacturers differ, but for the “Kaytee Wild Bird Bell” it says

5

Aha! Honey and gelatin! That would work! I’m off to the Bat Cave to experiment! Oh wait, I don’t have a Bat Cave. Sigh. I’m off to the kitchen then.
Peanut butter and suet would work too but I was looking for something less gooey. Thanks though!

6

Here’s a recipe for bird seed bells - it uses egg whites, which I think wouldn’t go bad very fast (as opposed to using whole eggs).

I seem to recall using honey and/or corn syrup when we made them years ago.

7

Thanks, Romanperson! Looks like a good site too!