Bird Blocks for About a Buck

UPDATE: After months of making blocks, I traded the long spoon and ladle seen in the video for a rubber spatula to mix the seed with the liquid and transfer it into the Ziplock containers. Also, some blocks were growing mold in the Ziplock bags. I've resolved molding by sprinkling 2 tsp potassium sorbate onto the gelatin while it is blooming on the water, and by setting the blocks on their sides in the Ziplock storage containers and placing in a warm sunny location for a few hours after removing them from the refrigerator before bagging. These changes are reflected in the recipe below. This easy recipe makes two 5.5”x8”x2.75” birdseed cakes that fit standard commercially available wire baskets. Each cake weighs about 2.5 lbs (a bit heavier than commercial cakes) and costs $1.55/cake ($1.62 if adding potassium sorbate) at the making of this video versus $6.47 to $8.47/cake for similar commercial cakes. If molded in the recommended Ziplock containers, these blocks perfectly fit standard commercial seed cake baskets, hold up well to massive rain, remain dry, firm, and whole when removed from the mold, and are easily consumed by birds as small as a titmouse or as large as a jay (depending on your selected seed mix). I would compare the quality of these to any of the commercially available cakes I have dumped tons of money into over the years. Seed Cake Basket - $9.97 at the making of this video https://www.walmart.com/ip/Audubon-Park-Seed-Cake-Basket-Wild-Bird-Feeder-Bronze-Finish/820840411?from=/search Bird Seed - $10.88 at the making of this video (makes 10 cakes = $1.09/cake) https://www.walmart.com/ip/Economy-Mix-Wild-Bird-Feed-Value-Bird-Seed-Blend-Dry-20-lb-Bag/43200094?athbdg=L1102&from=/search Knox Unflavored Gelatin - $42.21 at the making of this video (makes 128 cakes = $0.33/cake) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XDPCXYJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Potassium Sorbate - $9.99 on July 29,2024. (makes 145 cakes = $.069/cake) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JTAXHVA?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details Molasses - $32.21 at the making of this video (makes 256 cakes = $0.13/cake) https://www.amazon.com/Grandmas-Molasses-Unsulphured-Original-Gallon/dp/B00NGZETGC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20GPNKUOHI6PD&keywords=grandmas+molasses&qid=1703977913&s=grocery&sprefix=grandmas%2Cgrocery%2C167&sr=1-1 Ziplock Food Storage Containers 6.78 L x 10 W x 4.03 H – $5.46 for 2 (makes 2 cakes per batch) https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ziploc-Brand-Food-Storage-Containers-with-Lids-Smart-Snap-Technology-Large-Rectangle-2-ct/39444456?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101008007&adid=2222222222739444456_101008007_14069003552_202077872&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=aud-393207457166:pla-295289030566&wl5=9030216&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=140081527&wl11=online&wl12=39444456_101008007&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAnL-sBhBnEiwAJRGigjN572d3PslUqfvKrQ032e9V65dnM56S3Sw_hZifSuHQMDF66pn7ihoC6vkQAvD_BwE Squirrel Baffle - $49.95 at the making of this video https://www.duncraft.com/Extra-Large-Hanging-Squirrel-Baffle Seed Cake Recipe 10 cups birdseed 1 cup water, divided 2 level tbsp Knox gelatin (14 g or 1 oz) 1 level tbsp molasses 2 tsp potassium sorbate (optional mold inhibitor) Large mixing bowl, rubber spatula (replaces long mixing spoon and ladle used in video), Ziplock storage containers, small mixing bowl, microwave safe cup, 1/2 cup measuring cup, tablespoon, teaspoon Gather above ingredients and kitchen items and follow the recipe in order. Put 10 cups bird seed in large bowl. Sprinkle gelatin on top of ½ cup cool water in small bowl and allow to bloom. If desired for mold inhibition, sprinkle 2 tsp potassium sorbate on top. After 3-5 minutes, stir until white clumps are dissolved. Add molasses to a separate ½ cup of water in microwave safe vessel and heat to near boiling in microwave. Mix with gelatin water. Pour liquid on seed in bowl and thoroughly but quickly mix with rubber spatula for 30-45 seconds. Without delay, use spatula to transfer seed mix equally into 2 Ziplock 7”x10”x4”plastic food containers. Refrigerate a few hours. Pop the blocks from the bottom of the Ziplock containers, set them on their sides in the containers, and place in a warm sunny place to further dry for a few hours. Store in gallon Ziplock bags. Bird Sounds Acorn Woodpecker: Paul Marvin. XC649098. www.xeno-canto.org. Northern Flicker: Bobby Wilcox. XC422419. www.xeno-canto.org.