Making vegetarian fat balls?

Question

I want to make some fat balls to feed the birds with a group of children of whom at least one is Hindu, I believe some may be Muslim and one or two others are vegetarian. 
 While being vegetarian does not necessarily prevent you from handling meat or giving it to animals, I'd rather not argue the toss with small children who may be a bit wary of what their parents will say; in any case Hindus believe cows should not be killed (so I could not use beef suet) and Muslims would have a serious problem handling pig meat (so I could not use lard). 
 Can I use the type of vegetable fat that is for making pastry e.g. Trex, Cookeen? I believe it is the saturated fat that birds need, and these are about 50% saturated fat. 
 
 Thanks!

Guy · Accepted Answer

[deleted]

katie · Answer

Unknown said: 
 Why not send a note out to parents asking their opinion. 
 
 
 Very slightly closer to "my job", but why bother, if I can make vegetarian bird food, without writing a load of notes, collecting the answers, chasing parents who haven't replied, and then almost certainly ending up at the same situation - parents who don't believe certain animals should be killed/used by people? 
 
 I'll stick with the vegetarian option, thanks!

Pepa · Answer

I think you are right to stick with the vegetarian option Katie. I am sure you have thought of this, but you could explain to the children that different ingredients can be used to make the fat balls - birds need a variety of foods just like us etc etc. Perhaps, if you had time, you could print out some 'recepies' with different options that could be added, if the children want to make them at home. 
 Have fun!

Kirpi · Answer

Not sure what Ray's problem was. 
 
It is quite easy to make nutritious vegan fat balls for wild birds. 
 
1 cup coconut oil 
1 cup vegetable Suet 
2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter 
1/2 cup dessicated coconut 
1/2 cup linseed 
1 cup mixed seed (I used sunflower and pumpkin) slightly crushed up 
1/2 cup chopped raisins 
 
Process 
 
Melt your coconut oil and suet in a saucepan until liquid. 
Stir in the crunchy peanut butter. 
Mix in everything else thoroughly so that the oil is fully incorporated. 
Whack it in moulds and place in the freezer until solid. 
 
If hanging these, put lengths of string through them before going to the freezer. 
If pouring into cupcake trays, then place a piece of greaseproof paper in each before pouring to ease them out when they are frozen.