DIY Bird Feeder Plans

So it is now winter here in Indiana. I love the holidays but I love feeding the wild animals, birds in particular, and the squirrels. I enjoy watching them immensely but our cats especially love to watch them out three of our five windows so having only one bird feeder in our front yard is a big problem. Today I decided to create a new one for the most-watched back patio area. I know the outdoor wildlife and my cats are going to love it! What’s the saying? Happy cats, happy life? Yeah okay I made that up but you get it if you are owned by furbabies :’D

You will need:

• wire cutters
• tin snips
• an old can (coffee can would work)
• super glue
• 2 large hole beads
• 2 glass or metal lids that have a central knob that screws off (You will see the reason for this in the video)
• goo gone or wd-40 and spray paint (if you want to paint this I left mine bare as I like the elements to tarnish my projects naturally).
• Dremel tool with grinding attachment or you can use a metal file if you prefer just to smooth out some of the sharp and rough edges. If you use a Dremel tool goggle up and wear a mask and gloves.

Bird Feeder DIY

Making a bird feeder isn’t as hard as you might imagine. It can be as simple as a plastic milk carton that the kids can make with you to something a bit more detailed like I wanted to create that would last several seasons. If you’ve shopped for bird feeders you know that the cost of bird feeders on the market (especially the ones that I like that are not within my current price range) are kinda pricey. So being a do-it-yourselfer I decided to give it a go. After looking around and assessing what I had that would work I got to work.

How to Make a Bird Feeder with Waste Materials

Steps:

• First I started off with an extra-large can that I had leftover from green beans, I believe it was a 64 oz can.
• I peeled off the label but forgot there was still glue with paper stuck to it, so you want to ensure that is removed before going forward, unlike me, especially if you want to paint it.
• I got out my tin snips and cut four rectangular holes around the lip of the edge that was already open.
• I then put a hole in the opposite side that was still intact (this is where you will thread in some wire later).
• I had hubby help me cut part of the way around the intact section I put the hole in for the wire. This is so you can pour in birdseed later through the top. I suggest using gloves when doing anything concerning metal even though I don’t have them on in my video I have done these projects before and I’m comfortable not using gloves in some instances but definitely recommend them.
• Once you have your hole for the seed cut in the top you can string your birdfeeder together. I used Copper wire. (To ensure it didn’t move around a lot I used superglue to adhere the can to the bottom lid/seed holder area, do not do this to the top lid as it needs to be able to slip upwards on the wire to expose the seed hole).
• The final step is to fill with seed and hang where the birds and squirrels can enjoy it (but most importantly where you and your fur babies can enjoy it also).

Note: it is wise to always mask up and use gloves and goggles whenever you work with metal.

Just follow the video and let us know if you have any questions or comments (which are always welcome!)