I know this sounds stupid but is it possible for bird suet cakes go bad causing them to stay away. I've had this cake out since I moved from the old Apt with only 2 birds coming around. This is the same flavor they love to eat. I know the cats are a problem and I've tried to stop the cats. ed Moderator's note: added a descriptive title to topic
I think in HOT conditions that, yes, they will go bad by getting rancid, but I don't think at this time of the year that would be the case. more likely they are scared away by the cats. Is it near bushes where the cats can hide and ambush the birds?
Re: A Question I agree with carolyn also when the weather warms up most of the birds that eat suet in the winter will be in the forested areas looking for live insects. If you leave them out in the summer the black birds and grackles will destroy a suit cake in a mater of hours.
I always give my birds fat cakes full of dried insects and mealworms which they love. I stop putting them out about this time of year though as the birds begin to hunt for caterpillars insects and grubs so don't need them.
Ah...I will tell my husband that Eileen. (He is the buyer of the bird food). I certainly want the birds eating the grubs in the garden.