Raw peanuts are generally used for boiled peanuts:

• Some recommend soaking the raw peanuts for several hours (6-8) in salted water to reduce cooking time.
• To begin the cooking process, fill a large stock pot with water, add salt and bring to a boil then add the peanuts.
• If you don’t soak them, the peanut will want to float a bit. Stir them around a few times. They’ll eventually settle down.
• Cook time will vary depending on the amount of peanuts you’re cooking. Cooktime could be up to 8 hours.
• Be sure to keep checking the progress every hour or so. What you’re looking for is a totally soft peanut. Some like it a little less “done” or al dente if you will. I like them soft. You may need to add water throughout the cook time to make sure that there’s always enough water in the pot to cover the peanuts and then some wiggle room.
• An outdoor gas cooker/turkey fryer is perfect for boiling peanuts.

Peanuts are a high-energy food enjoyed by a wide variety of birds including woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches, chickadees, jays and more. They're 100% edible and are high in both protein and fat. Birds will often grab a peanut from a feeder and then carry it off to cache for a later meal.

• Establish a regular feeding area with peanuts for squirrels which will help keep them out of or divert them away from wild bird feeders
• Squirrels are best fed in their own special wood and metal feeder, designed specifically to challenge them. So treat them with whole peanuts and watch the fun begin!