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We offer you a selection of different options for making bird feeders with your own hands. Here we have collected the best master classes and step-by-step lessons, as well as dozens of original ideas and photos for inspiration. In this article, you will find crafts of varying degrees of difficulty: from those that will take no more than 5 minutes to create, to those with which you will have to tinker a lot.
Making feeders is one of the best ways to organize great leisure time and at the same time help feathered creatures survive the cold. This is a really useful and very good deed - by hanging the feeder, you will not let the birds die of hunger (in urban conditions, this, unfortunately, is quite possible).
What should you pay attention to?
Earlier we have already told you how to choose the right wood for creating birdhouses. If you are planning on making a wood feeder, check out our tips. However, the feeders can be made of other materials. Here are some important general tips before starting the creative process.
- If you want to make your feeder colorful, only paint the outside to prevent birds from accidentally pecking and ingesting harmful chemicals.
- When creating feeders, make sure that the hole into which the bird flies is smooth on all sides (especially for bottle feeders, the edges of which can be scratched if not carefully cut). This will help protect the birds from accidental injury.
- If you use glue or varnish in your work, carefully study their composition. They should not contain toxic elements.
- Do not make paper feeders too large - if the bird sits in it, the craft can tear and cause harm to the bird.
- Remember that dangerous mold can grow on wooden feeders, and rust on metal ones. Therefore, it is better to protect them with a special coating (no harmful chemicals).
- It is important to check the cleanliness of the feeder from time to time and examine it for damage.
Made of wood
Let's move on to the manufacturing process. A standard wooden feeder is made in the form of a birdhouse or house. They can also be made in several variations. We offer you the most popular ones.
House with upright posts
Please refer to this dimensional drawing. The picture is clickable, and it contains step-by-step instructions for assembling the feeder with your own hands.
Note that the uprights can be replaced with thick branches.
The hut can be made of plywood, but it will need to be varnished.
Vary the size and height of the sides.
House with side walls
An approximate assembly diagram of this hut looks like this. Please note that the dimensions can be changed and adjusted proportionally.
The side walls can be made solid. Interesting decor will add attractiveness to the house.
You can cut neat round holes in the side edges. Be sure to sand them to prevent the birds from picking up a splinter.
If the design turns out to be small, it is better to fill it with cereals and seeds, glued together into a special treat. More on this below.
Edible feeder
To feed the birds, you can do without a feeder as usual. Let's prepare special “cookies” for birds and simply hang them on the branches.
We need:
- 2 packs of gelatin;
- 2/3 cup water
- 2 glasses of feed (seeds, cereals);
- skewers;
- cookie cutters.
Fill the gelatin with hot water and wait for it to swell. Then we mix it with cereals and seeds. Mix the mixture well and fill it with cookie or muffin tins. Insert the skewer to make a hole.
When the mass has cooled down and "grabbed", carefully remove it from the mold and pull out the skewer. Insert the thread into the hole.
If you don't have molds, spread the gelatinous mixture on the toilet paper sleeve and roll it over the feed so that it sticks. Let dry, then attach to a branch.
You can also roll the mixture into lumps and place them in large mesh pouches.
The birds like this treat very much.
Bonus
Didn't find a suitable option? This video presents 50 more original ideas and a variety of ways to make a bird feeder from wood or bottles.
Choose any of the presented feeders, decorate it, fill it with seeds and cereals. So you will have a wonderful opportunity to observe the life of birds and do a good deed!
Views: 7 686
Wild animals and birds that live in nature cannot count on the fact that in winter someone will help them in the same way as their domesticated "brothers". Nevertheless, many people understand this and try to provide all possible help during the winter cold season.
Benefit for both you and the birds
Caring people understand well how difficult this time is for our younger brothers, since starting in late autumn, many of them find it increasingly difficult to find food. Of course, with all the desire, it is not so easy to help those of them who live in the forest or in a remote area. However, if you live in a city, town or village, then everything is within your power. Today we will talk about bird feeders. It is quite possible to make them, and we are talking about the use of improvised means, old packaging and containers, as well as other materials, which in any case would most likely be thrown into a landfill.
By the way, having “accustomed” the birds in your feeder located on the site, in addition to the feeling that you are helping them, saving them from hunger in a difficult time of the year, you get a kind of additional “bonuses”:
- Birds will become accustomed to your site and will begin to inhabit it and near it more often. Thus, they will constantly delight you with their games, bustle and chirping, filling the surrounding space with vital energy.
- Quite often it happens that in the summer the birds return a kind of debt to you, destroying numerous insects and pests that live in almost every garden or vegetable garden.
Wood is a reliable material!
In today's article, we have presented a photo of many options that will help with ideas on how to make a do-it-yourself bird feeder. As a rule, in order to implement the project of such a feeder, you do not need complex projects and drawings.
Attention! You can feed the birds not only in winter, but also in summer, especially if you live in a country house or in a private house.
Before considering the basic ideas for making feeders, let's talk about some of the features of the choice of material, as well as about the places in which you can hang or attach such a homemade structure.
Choice of material and place for installation
Before choosing a place for a feeder, it will be very useful to learn the most common types of birds that live in our latitudes.
1. Nuthatch; 2. pika; 3. lesser spotted woodpecker; 4. crossbill; 5. jay; 6. nutcracker or walnut; 7. bullfinch; 8. waxwing; 9. ordinary grosbeak; 10. goldfinch; 11. siskin; 12. common oatmeal; 13. greenfinch; 14. great tit; 15. blue tit; 16. crested tit; 17. Muscovy Tit; 18. long-tailed tit; 19. tit-tit.
Traditionally, it is believed that a bird feeder should have the shape of a kind of house, which would be somewhat similar to a birdhouse. And in fact, this configuration is optimal in order to organize a place for feeding the birds there. Consider the benefits of this form:
- The roof provides protection from rain and snow.
- This construction, made of plywood or wood, is strong, durable and reliable.
- It will not look alien, since we are talking about landscape design and the visual appeal of the entire site.
However, one should not be limited only to this form, and also to the fact that only wood can be used as a material. In fact, both the configuration and the material can be completely different.
The main thing is that the feeder meets the basic requirements:
- The material from which the feeder is made must be stable and not deform over time. In other words, a birdhouse made of cardboard or similar improvised means is not good. It simply will not withstand difficult weather conditions: rain, sleet, etc.
- At the same time, you can, as a last resort, make a small feeder out of juice or dairy products (kefir, milk, etc.) packaging. Tetra Pak and similar cardboard packaging are much more adapted to moisture exposure than ordinary cardboard. However, such designs cannot be classified as durable. On the other hand, they are quite suitable as a temporary solution, which, under favorable circumstances, can serve you for a whole season. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that a feeder from a milk bag will fit only for small birds, since large ones simply will not fit in it.
- By the way, the following conclusion follows from the previous point: the material must be durable and stable, since it must withstand not only autumn-winter bad weather, but also the weight of the birds themselves, some of which are quite massive. Besides, keep in mind that wear and tear will also occur due to the constant impact of their claws, since they will sit, as a rule, in the cut-out opening ("window").
- By the way, since we are talking about the window, the entrance (this technological hole can be called, in fact, whatever you like), then you need to understand that its edges should not be sharp, because, otherwise, the birds can hurt their paws about them.
Location
In addition to the material, as well as the manufacturing technology, you must understand that the place in which you install or hang the bird feeder is also an important point. So, if possible, it is necessary to avoid installation in places where birds will have difficulties with access. We are talking about dense branches and other similar places.
In addition, pay attention to the fact that the feeder is located in a place that is inaccessible for cats, which, as you know, are excellent hunters, who live in large numbers in villages, in summer cottages, as well as in cottages and private buildings.
Advice! Locate the feeder in an open area where birds can easily see it.
Popular ideas
Let's look at the basic ideas of how best to make a bird feeder with your own hands, looking at "live" examples of how many people have implemented their projects. There can be many feeders, and there are countless options for their manufacture. However, they are all done for the same purpose. So, here are the main types of structures of this kind.
The dispenser is a very useful device for feeding birds. In addition, the bottle can be hung upside down
House made of wood
It is quite possible to make such a design on your own. There is no need to have any specific skills or knowledge. As a rule, during such work, improvised or unnecessary boards, pieces of logs and many other wooden elements are used. Taking planks or veneers as a basis, the main task is their strong connection.
By the way, wooden bird feeders can be used not only for feeding backyard birds. Similar designs are used in chicken coops, when feeding chickens and other poultry. However, this, as they say, is a completely different story.
Plywood feeder
Such a structure can be made by hand right at home. You do not need any special tools or conditions for this. In this case, of course, you will have to find drawings of the feeders. On the other hand, you can make a drawing with dimensions yourself, since there is nothing particularly difficult in its development. For additional ideas, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the photos and examples of finished works.
Bunker feeder
This type of construction, so to speak, "migrated" from agriculture. One of its main advantages is that it allows you to exclude the "discrimination" of some species of birds by others. You yourself have probably noticed that often a flock of some birds, for example, sparrows or tits, takes an advantageous position in the immediate vicinity of the feed (seeds, bread crumbs, grain, cereals, loaf, etc.) or even in the feeder itself and tends prevent other birds from accessing such a valuable resource.
Therefore, it becomes an important task to limit the area on which feathered friends can feed. Therefore, in such cases, homemade bunker feeders, also known as anti-sparrow feeders, can come in handy.
Plastic bottle feeders
A canister feeder is also a great option.
This type of construction is extremely simple, so everyone, including children, can make it on their own. In order to make it, you just need to cut one or two holes in the bottle in order to pour bird food inside, and in fact, in order for the birds to have the opportunity to get inside. Of course, you need to be careful when doing this, since the holes should be as even and symmetrical as possible.
Interesting! If you have the time and desire, you can additionally decorate the feeder with natural materials, or apply inscriptions.
Let's take a closer look at the features of work in the presence of bottles of different sizes. The fact is that the most common starting materials in such cases are:
So, if you use the first option, then you can choose two types of structures. In the first case, it is about making holes on both sides of the bottle. They can be of different shapes: round, rectangular or square.
In the second case, you can make a special visor that would cover the hole, protecting it from snow. In order to make it, you just need to cut the U-shaped hole, leaving one side (top). After that, this section of the bottle is bent upward, thus forming a kind of visor. Incidentally, this can also be done on both sides.
For the birds' convenience, you can make two small holes under the main openings and insert a long stick into them that they can sit on before getting inside. As for the lower edge of the main holes, for greater safety, it is advisable to glue it with tape or electrical tape in several layers. A tissue adhesive is also suitable. Thus, a do-it-yourself feeder is made from a plastic container of a relatively small volume.
It is even easier to make a feeder from a 5 liter bottle. The fact is that the walls are often straight, which allows you to cut a more even hole. Plus, more seeds and crushed loaves can be placed in such a container, and it is more convenient for birds to fly inside. For crafting, you will need a knife or sturdy scissors.
If the plastic bottle is to be mounted horizontally, the holes can be cut in place of the bottom and neck. If you plan to fix it vertically, then you can cut 2, 3 or even 4 holes from different sides, if you are working with a bottle that has a square or rectangular cross-section. This, by the way, will allow several birds to fly in and feed at the same time. For round bottles, you can cut 2-3 holes. By the way, on the basis of a large bottle with a volume of 5 liters and above, you can also make a bunker feeder.
On a note! It is advisable to cut the holes at a height of at least 5 centimeters from the bottom, a little more is possible.
Attaching such a feeder is quite simple: you can tie it either by the neck or by the handle, which is an integral part of the lid, using twine or thin wire. This is if we talk about vertical options. When fixing horizontally, it is best to make 2 parallel small holes (they can be made with a knife or other sharp object), passing a wire or rope through them, which is necessary for fastening.
In any case, this option is very affordable, since almost everyone has unnecessary 5 liter water bottles at their disposal. Sample photos show various options for how this can be done.
Bird feeder from a bag of milk or juice
5 minutes - and a new feeder from the juice bag is ready
Everyone has boxes of juice or milk. As a rule, we throw them away. The manufacturing technology is extremely simple, and in some way resembles the previous one (with plastic bottles). So, if you want to make a bird feeder from a bag of juice or milk, the sequence of your actions can be as follows:
- We outline future holes using a pen, marker or felt-tip pen.
- We carefully cut them out using scissors or a sharp knife.
- We glue the underside of the opening with tape or adhesive tape.
- Make small holes for the rope or wire at the top of the bag.
- We hang the resulting feeder to a tree branch, lilac, or other places.
The easiest and fastest option from a milk carton
By the way, in some cases you can put on the bottom or attach a weight to it in the form of a brick fragment or something similar. This will minimize sway in the event of strong winds. This applies not only to paper boxes, but also to plastic bottles.
Remember! In some cases, you can also attach the feeder to the wall.
We use a shoe box
By the way, a bird feeder is made in a similar way out of a shoe box. Of course, the fact that it is made of cardboard does not allow such a feeder to be durable. On the other hand, some of the boxes are made of cardboard that is strong enough and resistant to moisture. Moreover, you can additionally glue the cardboard with tape, which will further increase its protection from the effects of bad weather conditions. This will increase the life of the feeder to some extent, although, in any case, it will not be as durable as its counterparts made of wood, cardboard and even plastic.
The manufacturing technology itself is extremely simple and does not require any special instructions. You just need to make the necessary slots on the sides of the box and also fix the lid. You can also do this with tape.
Other options
By far, all of these types of feeders are the most common and popular. Nevertheless, it makes sense to talk about alternative options. The first is a trough made from tableware.
By the way! A drinker can also be made of dishes, which is also very important for birds.
Such original products are made from a cup and saucer. If you add a deep bowl, you can make both a feeder and a drinker at the same time. Some craftsmen make feeders from old buckets, usually plastic ones. They turn out to be large, which somewhat limits the possibilities for their installation, which, of course, is a certain drawback. The advantage is the same: the size of such a product is quite large. This allows more feed to be added. In addition, several birds can feed at the same time. We must not forget about the strength of such a structure.
Now is a very difficult time for birds. It is difficult for them to survive: the yard is cold, there is snow all around, and the reservoirs are covered with a crust of ice. It's time to feed and warm your feathered friends.
The feeder in the country or near the house is a very small structure, but it will collect many hungry birds. You can buy a ready-made "dining room" for them, but it is much more interesting to craft. Let's feed them in winter, and they will repay us a hundredfold in the spring, when they destroy pests in the garden and sing sonorous songs in the morning. And ideas for creativity can be found literally anywhere: in the forest, in the garden and vegetable garden, in the attic or in the kitchen.
1. Wall "cage" with a grain mixture
We attach a container made of a coarse mesh to the fence or the wall of the shed, place the grain mass inside and wait for the feathered guests!
How to prepare grain mass:
- We take coconut solid oil or beef (pork) fat (150-200 g), 1 tbsp. a spoonful of vegetable oil and about 300 g of grain mixture for birds.
- Heat the fat in a saucepan, pour oil and grains into it.
- We make the shapes of the required size and wait until they solidify.
For lovers of soft food (robin, wren, thrush) Use wheat bran, raisins, and oatmeal instead of cereal mix. They must be mixed with fat in the same proportions.
3. Grain "cookies"
Well, if the grain mass turned out to be more than needed for the feeder, it doesn't matter! You can take as a basis and make such cute hearts:
When the mass has hardened, punch a hole in each mold, thread the twine through it and hang it from a tree.
4. "Vases" of orange
The halves can be used as the basis for the hanging feeder.
- Cut the orange in half and remove the core;
- We pierce 4 small holes on opposite sides, stretch the twine in them crosswise;
- We collect the ends of the twine together and tie a knot;
- We place the grain mass in orange bases and hang it on trees or bushes.
5. Edible apple ball
A similar idea, only serves as the basis of the feeder.
Edible apple feeder. Photo from the site selenaart.ru
Why is this design good?: the apple is completely used, the whole feeder will be eaten.
6. "Gazebo" from pumpkin
Here's another example of an edible pumpkin feeder. It is enough to cut a through hole in it, clean it of seeds, hang it by a rope or wire to a strong branch and put food inside.
You can take any pumpkin, including.
7. Feeders from tin cans
A striking solution is small cans painted in different colors. Hang them on branches with ropes or ribbons and they will become not only a tool for birds, but also an unusual decor for your garden.
8. A basket with treats
Broken or unnecessary wickerwork gathering dust in the attic? Give them a second life! For example, a wicker chest can be hung with a rope or tape so that its lid becomes a roof for the feeder.
Feeder basket. Photo from ladysovety.ru
9. Wicker vine feeder
Have you long wanted to try your hand at? Start small - make just such a nice "gazebo" out of.
17. Drinker and "spinner"
Similar in form - and so different in content ... These ideas are for creative masters!
An old teapot with a lid will make a comfortable drinker. And apples or frozen cereal mass in the form of a ball will be easy to replace with fresh ones if you fix them on removable horizontal "skewers". Aluminum pegs are fine for this.
18-19. Gazebo and balcony
Imitation of a gazebo and a cozy balcony. It is very painstaking work, but if the master is an addicted person, then the work will only be a joy. Decorating your garden with such works of art, you will turn it into a fairy tale!
20. For the most profound
Let's finish our selection with a real masterpiece. To build such a "dream house", it is not necessary to have the skill of a carpenter, but imagination and ingenuity will not be superfluous here. The highlight of this fabulous house is the foundation of. Fasten all elements securely and set the house on a solid foundation. To make it convenient for the birds to eat, take care of the wide entrance. And white color will give the whole structure solemnity and lightness.
Rules for poultry "public catering"
It is necessary to intervene in the affairs of nature carefully, and often with our good intentions we can do more harm than good. Different birds have different food choices, so it is always advisable to check which species live where the feeder will hang.- All birds, without exception, are harmfulfried and salted, it is absolutely forbidden to put moldy and rancid in the feeder, as well as put millet and brown bread.
- Raw sunflower seeds and oatmeal small quantities are suitable to all birds.
- Feeders are better don't keep full all the time, and add food to them several times a day, a little bit.
What do you feed the birds with in winter?
The feeder is not only a great way to feed our bird friends. With a creative approach to making it, you can create the present. We offer a selection of ideas that will tell you how to make a bird feeder with your own hands. And master classes from the HomeMyHome.ru editorial office will help you learn the intricacies of manufacturing and reveal the secrets of building drawings.
Depending on what goals you pursue in the manufacture of the feeder, the following types of its design differ.
- Tray. The simplest type of feeders. The elementary design implies a small pallet with sides, fixed to a tree with a strong thread or fishing line;
It is not difficult to make such a "pelvis", especially if you have a regular and linen rope at hand. Of the minuses, it can be noted that in a strong wind, such structures topple over, and all the food ends up on the ground.
- Dispenser platforms - an improved model of the previous type of feeder. It is a tray where the birds will regale, and an airtight container with a mechanism for gradually feeding feed as it decreases. As a rule, the dispenser is made from an ordinary plastic bottle, fixed to the tray with the hole down at a short distance so that the feed spills out on its own. Of course, making such feeders is more difficult, but the end result is a high-quality, comfortable and durable design.
- Small houses − the most common feeders of all species diversity. In addition, if you are creative about the creation, you can make a real shelter for birds and an original one for yourself.
- Bunker feeders are somewhat similar to birdhouses. They are completely enclosed structures with "windows" for birds. If provided, then the birds will even be able to hide in them from the weather, and not just have a snack.
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Inspired by the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating simple feeders? If yes, then our small master classes are for you.
Related article:
How to make a birdhouse yourself, how to decorate and install it correctly, photo examples of creative houses - read our publication.
How to make do-it-yourself feeders for street birds - description and drawings
As we have already seen, you can make feeders from completely different materials - literally, everything that is at hand. Wood is a little harder to work with. But nothing is impossible, the main thing is that there is a desire. Consider different versions of bird feeders.
Interesting do-it-yourself bird feeder made of wood
We offer step-by-step instructions on how to independently make a beautiful bird feeder house, as in the photo below.
The main material is small logs that can be cut from ordinary cuttings or rakes. Fast, cheap and original. All other parts are also made of wood. To bring such a masterpiece to life, in addition to raw materials, you will need a special drilling machine for wood and. Without them, it will be possible to do, but not the fact that it will turn out as neat and beautiful.
| Illustration | Description |
 | We cut 30 cm long logs from the cuttings.There should be 36 pieces in total. 24 pieces - for walls, and parts from logs for pediment. Leftovers are spare parts in case of damage to key elements. |
 | We are preparing a machine with a crown for wood of a suitable diameter in order to make recesses in the logs, which will serve as a fastener for the future feeder. |
 | To make the parts similar, and the fastening grooves to fit perfectly together, it is best to make paired holes. To do this, we fasten two blanks together with tape on both sides for better fixation and measure 3 cm from both ends. |
 | We make holes on the machine in the logs fixed to each other at both ends. |
 | To assemble the house, you will also need round wooden sticks. Sushi sticks are ideal, but not flat, but round. In accordance with their diameter, we make a hole in each groove of the log. And we begin to collect the walls of the house. |
 | When finished with the construction, make sure that all the walls are level, and glue the logs together. |
 | Cut out a template for the future roof from plywood. The size and slope depend on the design of the resulting frame of the house. |
 | Cut the logs on both sides obliquely according to the template. We make a hole in the middle for the stick and glue the resulting structure. From the front side, if desired, we make a hole in the "attic". Also, to give the structure rigidity, we start up the transverse beam and glue it. |
 | The roof can be made from any sheet material available. In our case, we used moisture resistant plywood. Small parts were cut to fit the size of the resulting house. |
 | We proceed to the decor of the house - doors, visor, attic. All this is done by hand from the remains of plywood. In handicraft stores, you can buy various decorative items, such as a door lock. In our case, the door is simply glued to the wall. |
 | We make a pallet for a house from ordinary ones. |
 | Best of all, they are not easy to twist together, but glue them, as shown in the photo. |
 | We paint over the house, make the sides on the pallet so that the food does not spill out, and you can hang the resulting one in the garden. |
If you have any questions, you can find answers to them in the provided video material.
DIY bird feeder made of plywood
To make a plywood feeder, you will need special tools to work with it, such as a jigsaw, wood glue, tape measure, pencil, building corner and glue. Let's make a small bunker feeder, approximately as in the drawing below. It was simplified a little by placing only two walls, which will be held together, forming a triangle shape.
All work takes place in several stages. Cut out the necessary parts with a jigsaw. Their sizes and shapes are shown in the photo below.
Along the edges of the bottom, we attach blocks so that their total height is approximately 5-7 cm.
Attention! On the side with a length of 27 cm, we mount the blocks so that we get small indents along the edges - no more than 7 mm.
To the side where the indents are obtained, we mount the side walls. To make the whole structure stable, we strengthen it along the connection of the side parts with a bar.
Treat the resulting feeder with impregnation so that the plywood does not deteriorate as long as possible under the influence of precipitation and temperature changes.
How to make a feeder out of the box - simple and fast
A bird feeder from a cardboard box is an option for those who want to do everything as quickly and simply as possible.
It remains only to choose a sturdier box, cut a hole in it for the birds, work out the mounting method - and the structure is ready. It is a pity that she will lose her shape very quickly. But this case is fixable and practically costs nothing.
Master class on how to make a plastic bottle feeder
Plastic bottles are one of the most common recycled materials, suitable for making all kinds of useful things with your own hands. Feeders are no exception. We offer step-by-step instructions for making a cute and durable feeder. This will require:
- plastic bottles with a volume of 1.5 and 2 liters;
- scissors;
- lighter;
- spray paints;
- glue gun;
- glue "Moment";
- wire.
| Illustration | Description |
 | We cut out the bottoms of three two-liter bottles. To make it look more interesting, you can cut out the edges with petals, burn with a lighter, getting a wavy edge. |
 | In the middle of the bottoms we make a hole and string them onto the wire. |
 | Cut off the top of a 1.5 liter bottle and, like the bottoms, process the edges with a lighter. |
 | We string the neck onto the wire and paint the resulting structure with paint. |
 | With a swab we paint over the edges with a contrasting color. |
 | Cut out the lower part of the 1.5 liter bottle, cut a hole and also singe it with a lighter. |
 | We connect the lower and upper parts with a glue gun. |
 | We cut out the grass from the remains of the bottles. And attach them to the bottom with a glue gun. |
The bird feeder is ready. We put more food there and observe the increase in the bird population in your garden.
From this article you can learn how to make do-it-yourself feeders for birds: an overview of existing types of structures and general recommendations for their creation and placement, the choice of suitable building materials, photos and drawings with a detailed description of the technology. The text contains unusual and original solutions that will create a comfortable and beautiful area for feeding birds in the garden or near the house.
If you want to improve the area near the house, many owners of summer cottages lay paved paths, break flower beds and flower beds, install benches and lanterns. All this creates comfort and coziness for the residents of the house. However, do not forget about the small inhabitants of the garden, for whom it becomes more difficult to get their own food with the arrival of winter.
Making a bird feeder with your own hands will not only help the birds to overcome this difficult period, but also give a certain charm to the garden. Using simple technologies, you can show your own imagination and create an original feeding house.
The advantages of homemade feeders:
- the opportunity to take care of birds that find it difficult to independently get their own food;
- decorative decoration of the yard;
- the opportunity to instill in children a love for the world around them and birds.
Moreover, such a decision can be implemented not only by the owners of private and country houses, but also by residents of city apartments.
Is it profitable to buy a ready-made bird feeder: advantages and disadvantages
If you want to install a standard feeder made on a professional level in the yard, you can order the product from specialists. Experienced craftsmen will independently select high-quality materials and make a structure using special technologies.
Buyers are invited to choose a bird feeder with a design they like from the picture. Such structures can be of any size and shape. Buying a custom-made feeder, the consumer can be completely sure that it will meet his wishes and fit perfectly into the exterior of the yard.
Buying finished products comes with both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages of this include the high cost of professionally made feeders. In addition, the buyer deprives himself of the joys of the creative process and the expectation of the arrival of birds. Therefore, many people prefer to independently create houses for feeding birds in their yard or by the window.
Note! The design of the feeder must be reliable, therefore, it is advisable to select practical and durable materials for its construction that will protect birds from rain and wind.
What are the requirements for a homemade bird feeder
When choosing a specific design for a homemade feeder, you need to take into account not only the type of birds for which the structure will be made, but also other nuances. Birds rely mainly on their eyesight, so the poured food should be visible to them from afar.
The design of the structure should be such that the grain is not covered by snow and blown by the wind. High sides and a roof will help to cope with this problem. It is unacceptable for moisture to get onto the feed. Otherwise, the grains will grow moldy and deteriorate. It is desirable that there is protection from chipmunks and squirrels. At the same time, birds should not experience any difficulty in removing feed.
Drawings of bird feeders, of which there are many on the network, can be successfully used as a visual aid to create a beautiful design. First of all, you should pay attention to practical and convenient options. The food should not wake up on the ground, otherwise it will attract small predators such as ermines, weasels, ferrets. Their presence poses a direct threat to birds.
If the structure will be used for temporary feeding in the winter, it is better to hang it. Thus, the feeder will be less attractive for sparrows, which are much easier to find food than other birds. Stationary structures are used for continuous feeding. In this case, protection from predators is required. It is preferable that the grain is on a level area large enough to maintain good stability.
Types of bird feeders: photo and description of designs
The design of homemade feeders is almost unlimited. The main thing is that the design meets the basic requirements of practicality, reliability and safety.
Classification of bird feeders by design type:
- suspension;
- playground;
- house;
- bunker;
- tray;
- shelling machine.
Each of these designs has its own characteristics and is designed for certain types of birds.
Original do-it-yourself bird feeders: photos of suspended structures
Suspension designs are very simple. In this case, the feed is suspended in a mesh bag or on a string. They are used primarily as feeders for titmice. Although other species of insectivorous birds can use suspensions, with the exception of woodpeckers.
The most common type of top dressing is "antifreeze" - a piece of bacon without spices and salt. There are also more nutritious mixtures that are designed for poultry poultry. A ball consisting of seeds is suitable for them. Peanut butter or lard (interior fat) is used as a fastening component.
Note! You should not cast the fodder mass into a beautiful shape or plastic cup and then freeze it. The ball is more bird friendly. So it is much easier for them to cling and do not have to spend a lot of energy to keep themselves on weight while eating.
It is most convenient to form a ball consisting of fodder by hand. This should be done in the cold. The fat will solidify very quickly, therefore, having formed a ball, it must be suspended immediately.
Related article:
Drawings, interesting and practical solutions for creating fences in the street and apartment, taking into account the breed and size of the animal.
Hanging bird feeders can be made for certain types of birds. Great tits prefer garlands made from dried berries. They especially like rose hips. The use of peanuts in pods is allowed.
Swing feeders are the best option for blue tit. In this case, it is advisable to hang the balls on elastic and thin branches so that they balance.
Beautiful do-it-yourself bird feeders, made in the form of mobiles or moving sculptures, look original in the photo. Such designs are able to attract even great tits, which will not conflict with blue tits.
Hanging cone options are suitable for attracting bullfinches, peeling birds and waxwings. To make the feeder visible from afar, you can hang a bright bunch of mountain ash or viburnum on it. It is advisable to use a fertile cone for this. If this is not possible, any one with ruffled scales will do. It needs to be doused with peanut butter. After that, food is placed between the scales and the cone can be suspended. Even crossbills can like these cones.
You cannot use paper to create such designs, but you can make a beautiful bird feeder with your own hands from a dense base from a roll of toilet paper. It is advisable to attach bright pieces of fabric or paper from below, which will attract the attention of birds.
Do-it-yourself convenient bird feeders: photos of tray structures and platforms
Feeders-platforms represent a flat plane on which food is placed. The advantage of such designs is that birds can see the presence of food from afar. However, a flat wooden do-it-yourself bird feeder has drawbacks. First, there are no wind guards. As a result, the feed swells in large quantities and wakes up. Secondly, nothing prevents the sparrows from actively using these feeders.
The point is that sparrows keep in flocks. These nosy birds, unlike pigeons and crows, can freely penetrate into small feeders and empty them, giving no chance to other birds, for which it is much more difficult to get food in winter. To eliminate this possibility, it is advisable to avoid the use of open structures.
Sparrows are very careful. In case of danger, they fly straight up from the spot. Therefore, the best option would be a cardboard or wood birdhouse with a steep roof that has more overhangs. It is desirable that the structure has low windows to provide birds with access to feed. In this case, the sparrows will first have to flutter to the side before flying away, so such feeders are unattractive for them.
Helpful advice! In winter, the birds will benefit from vitamin supplementation. To do this, you can put stubs of pears and apples with seeds, berries of viburnum, elderberry, mountain ash, the fibrous part of pumpkin with seeds, dried rose hips, grape seeds in the feeder. The use of cherry pits from compote is allowed.
For those birds that constantly live on the site, a do-it-yourself original tray-type bird feeder is suitable. A perch or landing pad can be installed in front of the tray (a window that provides access to the stern).
There are two types of trough feeders:
- With free access to the mixture.
- With automatic feeding into the tray.
The automatic bird feeder is much more practical than hopper designs. In this case, the food practically does not wake up. Trough structures are designed specifically for one type of bird. The possibility of using a feeder for several species of birds is allowed. However, creating such a structure will require not only the appropriate skills and tools, but also ornithological knowledge.
DIY house feeders: photos of birdhouses and similar designs
Feeders in the form of small houses protect food well from snow. By equipping the structure with a roof, you can protect the interior from wind and sparrows. But a beautiful bird feeder in the form of a house does not provide protection against spilling feed. Therefore, only those birds that are accustomed to feeding will be present on the site. For forest birds, this option is very inconvenient, because they are drawn to human housing only in crisis cases and may simply not notice the grains that have spilled onto the ground.
A sloping roof house structure can be made out of a box. If possible, it is advisable to treat such a cardboard feeder with a diluted adhesive composition. For this, PVA is suitable, which is mixed with water in a ratio of 1: 3 or 1: 5. The supports are made of sticks, which are also attached with glue. If done correctly, such a feeder will last several seasons. The structure is nailed to the wood.
A beautiful trough with a pitched roof will be the best option for strong, large birds. These include nutcrackers, waxwings, jays and pigeons. All of them can sit quietly in a row during feeding, so it is better to equip the dining room with a long perch.
Wood or very dense pre-processed cardboard can be used as material for manufacturing. The design for large birds should be much larger than for ordinary birdies. In this case, you need to select for the birds drawings of a feeder with dimensions that will correspond to them.
Note! A shoe box bird feeder will not work for large birds. The cardboard in such constructions is very thin. Strong birds will break the feeder very quickly during feeding.
Practical do-it-yourself feeders: photos of bunker structures and cultivators
Hopper-type structures are the best option if an anti-sparrow feeder is required. In this case, the feeding area is limited in size, so the entire flock will not be able to accommodate. Sparrows will have no choice but to eat alternately with the company of other birds.
Unusual hopper type bird feeders can be of different designs. It is advisable that the product, designed for small spotted woodpeckers and tits, be equipped with a solid narrow platform. Anti-sparrow variants are much wider and have a roof. Modern materials make it possible to create a bunker structure in just 5 minutes.
To make a bottle feeder with your own hands, you will need a minimum set of tools and materials:
- nylon thread;
- bottle (PET);
- super glue;
- plastic plate;
- large needle;
- knife and scissors.
Plastic is a very practical and durable material that is not afraid of moisture and frost. Such a feeder will last for several seasons.
Peeling feeders are less popular. They are designed for certain types of birds. In this case, the feed is retained using a special metal mesh. The design can be improved by making it combined. For this, the stubble feeder is combined with the trough version. Thanks to this, birds of different species can coexist on the same site.
How to make bird feeders: choosing materials for work
Having decided on the type of future design, you need to decide what the feeder will be made of. For these purposes, you can use a variety of materials. Many of them are in everyone's house, so you can not only create an original bird feeder with your own hands, but also do it with minimal cost.
The following materials are commonly used to make a poultry dining room:
- plastic;
- paper and cardboard;
- wood;
- plywood;
- materials at hand (bottles, boxes, milk or juice bags, etc.).
Each of the listed materials is suitable for creating certain types of structures and has both advantages and disadvantages.
Features of Bird Feeders from Plastic Bottles and Trays
Plastic feeders are the most popular option. This material has many advantages.
Advantages of plastic bottle and tray feeders:
- Material availability.
- The transparent walls of the structure make it possible to make the feed visible from afar.
- Ease of processing.
- Minimal amount of garbage and waste.
- No special tools required.
- High strength and durability.
Important! The roof of a plastic feeder in the form of a house should be opaque or at least matte. In case of danger, the birds may not notice the transparent plane from above and hit it.
A good way to create a small, conspicuous bird feeder out of scrap materials is to use old children's toys such as blocks. They are made of polyethylene, so it is advisable to use superglue for fixing. Such designs have bright and rich colors, so it will be easy for birds to find food. Polyethylene lends itself well to processing. You can use a compass with two needles to cut round holes in the walls. Polyethylene is a slippery material, so it is advisable to equip the feeder with a perch-perch.
As a plastic building material, you can use scraps of transparent polycarbonate, which may have remained after renovation in the house. Such a feeder can be fixed to the window using suction cups from the bathroom shelves.
Particularly noteworthy are bird feeders from bottles and other unusable containers. The main thing is that the design is well thought out. To ensure visibility of the feed, it is advisable to use a wide tray. The presence of a perch will make feeding the birds more convenient. With a large tray and a large container, you do not have to frequently replenish feed stocks. As a result, the birds will be less fearful.
To make a bird feeder with your own hands from a plastic bottle, it is advisable to use a trough-shaped tray. In this case, spillage of feed will be negligible. If you fold up the hatch cover, which provides access to the feed, the feeder will turn out to be anti-sparrow. In this case, the plane that is formed at the top can be used to place vitamin supplements.
Features of making homemade feeders out of the box
- milk;
- kefir;
- juice, etc.
Despite the fact that these bags are made of cardboard, their walls are covered with foil on both sides. Therefore, laminated feeders are able to withstand one winter.
Small bags left over from juice or milk are ideal for feeding the following bird species:
- goldfinches;
- tits;
- granivores.
In this case, it is imperative to install a roosting stick to make it easier for the birds to get food.
Helpful advice! To attract a small spotted woodpecker to a titmouse, it is enough to fix a wooden circle on the bottom of the valve. This will make it easier for the bird to gain a foothold on the structure.
Large bags can be used to make universal bird tables. To do this, you need to cut a large opening so that the food can be seen from afar. If the feeder is suspended, pierce it with a perch. A package design can be placed in a bush. In this case, the roost is not required, its function will be performed by branches.
DIY eco-friendly bird feeders made of wood
The advantage of wooden feeders is their durability. Most often, such structures are stationary.
As a protective treatment, you can use:
- drying oil;
- water-polymer composition;
- mixture in the form of diluted PVA glue.
To build a bird feeder from a tree with your own hands, you will definitely need a carpentry tool and skills in handling it. Traditional models look like a house. It is not recommended to make a flat roof on the feeder, as in this case the feed will be exposed to weathering.
Standard house-like designs can be improved and specialized for a particular type of bird by minor changes. For example, a gable roof feeder without fencing can be used as a generally available option. If you build a small crate around the perimeter, such a dining room will be to the taste of the peeling birds. It simulates natural feeding conditions quite realistically. A similar model with a solid low fence will provide an anti-sparrow effect and protect food from the wind.
The design, which has a low slope roof, will also provide protection against feed swelling. Such a feeder will be used by sparrows only as a last resort.
An alternative option for a suspended structure made of wood will be a do-it-yourself plywood bird feeder. To create it, you will also need wooden blocks with a cross-section size of 3x3 or 3x4 cm. To avoid the use of lumber, you can make bars from plywood strips by gluing. However, for stationary feeders on poles, it is preferable to use solid wood, since plywood in outdoor conditions will exfoliate after several seasons, regardless of the quality of the protective impregnation.
Helpful advice! If you use birch waterproof sheets to build a plywood bird feeder, you can get a reliable and durable structure. This material perfectly tolerates outdoor conditions.
Do-it-yourself bird feeders from scrap materials
From the materials at hand, you can make unusual and original designs, in the creation of which you can focus on design or functional features.
An ear of corn can be used as a feeder. To do this, a nail is passed through it. This version of a bird feeder made from scrap materials can be simply hung or made part of a stationary structure. The corn should be firm, preferably oilseed or forage varieties. The finer the grains, the better.
It is better to avoid using table sugar cobs, as they are harmful to birds. Their grains are high in sugar and starch. The corn feeder is designed for large fruit-eating and granivorous birds, as well as huskers.
You can use ice cream sticks as a building material for creating a wooden bird feeder. During the summer season, they can be accumulated in sufficient quantities. To make such a structure, you will need a rope and PVA glue. You can fit a larger ice cream stick on either side of the trough. Thanks to this, 4 birds will be able to use the dining room at the same time, for example, gnats or siskins.
An excellent option would be a wicker basket-shaped feeder with a suspended lid. To create it, you will need paper tubes that can be made from old newspapers. The weaving technology is quite complicated and time-consuming, so not everyone dares to take up the construction of such a feeder, but the result exceeds all expectations. To prevent decay of paper straws, they must be treated with a protective compound (glue and stain).
A large metal tin can is also suitable for building a feeder. It is suspended from a rope in a horizontal position. To prevent feed from spilling onto the ground, a small flap must be installed. For this, the top of the lid, bent in half, is suitable. It is imperative to install a perch.
Important! Regardless of the type of construction, the trough must be safe. Wooden models must be thoroughly sanded and all sharp corners rounded off. Metal options can be wrapped with twine that sits on the glue.
Making bird feeders: drawings, description and technologies
Having decided on the type of construction and material, you can proceed to the direct manufacture of the feeder. It should be noted that not all types of grains are suitable for feeding birds. The favorite food of birds that remain for the winter is the seeds of wild herbs. It is desirable that these were burdock plant species. Turnip seed, which can be harvested in summer or purchased ready-made at a pet store, is suitable.
Homemade feeders can be filled with:
- oats and millet;
- small sunflower seeds (unroasted);
- hemp and flaxseeds;
- dried pods of acacias living in middle latitudes (wisteria, gleditsia, sophora, etc.);
- pumpkin seeds;
- dry pea pods (it must be ripe and firm);
- pine nuts;
- millet (in small doses);
- seeds of deciduous trees such as ash, hornbeam, linden, maple, alder;
- acorns and seeds of conifers, for example, beech nuts, ruffled cones (if the feeder is designed for huskers).
Note! The use of rye, wheat and bread is not allowed. They are harmful to birds. Moreover, black bread is the most dangerous because it causes goiter inflammation. Strongly swelling cereals during cooking are badly perceived, for example, buckwheat, barley, rice. The peel of any tropical fruit and citrus fruit is deadly to birds.
How to make a birdhouse with your own hands: assembling a wooden structure
Building a wooden birdhouse will require skills in working with carpentry tools.
The work will require the following materials:
- wooden bar for racks (2x4.5 cm);
- plywood square as a flooring on the bottom (25x25 cm);
- wooden pieces for roof construction (22x35 cm, 2 pcs.);
- fasteners (adhesive, screws, nails).
It will not hurt to first find a suitable drawing of the feeder, which will help you navigate during the assembly of parts.
First, the base is assembled: sides and bottom. For this, the bars, pre-cut in accordance with the size of the bottom, are glued from the end sides and fixed on self-tapping screws. The result is a wooden frame. A pair of parallel sides should be made about 5 cm longer than the bottom. They will be used to install the perches. With the help of nails, the bottom is nailed to the frame.
At the next stage of making a do-it-yourself feeder from wood, racks are mounted. For this, the corresponding parts must be screwed on the inside of the box. The optimal length is 18-20 cm.
The rafter system is attached to the racks. To do this, you need to connect a pair of beams at a right angle. To strengthen the place of fixation, the joint is fixed with a piece of timber. The result is a right angle with equal sides. According to the drawing, you need to make two such parts.
Helpful advice! To properly connect the parts of the bird feeder made of wood, when fastening the bars, you need to lay the flat wide part on the table. After that, an additional element is attached from above at an appropriate angle.
Then the rafters are attached to the uprights with self-tapping screws. Next, the roof slopes are installed. For this, two wooden elements are installed on the rafters. If a wooden corner is available, a skate can be made. A bird feeder made of wood needs a perch. To do this, sticks or window glazing beads are glued between an elongated pair of sides.
This design can be either stationary or suspended. It can be installed on a pole or, by making a couple of holes in the ridge, hung on a wire.
How to make a do-it-yourself bird feeder out of wood: plywood construction
An alternative option for a tree feeder will be a structure made of plywood.
The material allows you to choose any modification:
- open;
- with a gable or flat roof;
- with bunker compartment.
Plywood is a derivative of wood, while it is much cheaper and lighter in weight. Before you make a bird feeder out of wood, be sure to pick up the appropriate drawing. In this case, the type of birds that live in the region must be taken into account. Large birds such as magpies, pigeons and jays can eat all the food, leaving small birds without food. Therefore, if the feeder is designed for tits, the openings should be such that large species cannot reach the grains.
To work, you will need the following tools and materials:
- jigsaw;
- sandpaper;
- water-based adhesive;
- nails and hammer;
- plywood sheet;
- timber with a section size of 2x2 cm.
In accordance with the drawing, markings are applied to the plywood sheet. Then all the parts are carefully cut out with a jigsaw. As a flooring for the bottom, a square element 25x25 cm will be used. To build a roof, you need to take larger parts, otherwise moisture will drain into the feed. The edges of the resulting blanks must be sanded.
From a bar you need to cut 4 racks 25-30 cm long each. If the structure will have a pitched (flat) roof, a pair of bars should be shortened by 2-3 cm. The cut is made at an angle. All joints of parts are treated with an adhesive, and then fastened with nails. Racks are installed on the bottom, and the sides are fixed to them. A roof is installed at the top of the struts. The structure can be installed permanently or suspended using a hook and hardware.
Helpful advice! If the wooden feeder will be opened with varnish, it is recommended to use a water-based composition for this, so as not to harm the birds.
How to make a do-it-yourself feeder: a suspended grain structure
Suspended grain structures are the easiest option. Such a structure can be produced in a few hours.
For work you will need:
- raw bird feed;
- oat groats;
- egg;
- gelatin;
- flour;
- needle and thick thread;
- thick cardboard and scissors;
- pencil and molds for filling.
How to make your own edible bird feeder:
- Draw on cardboard the shape you like, for example, a square, circle, triangle, heart, etc.
- Cut the shape to the markup.
- Form the fastener by threading the needle and making a hole.
- Prepare an adhesive mixture. For this, the following ingredients are mixed: 1 tsp. honey, egg, 2 tbsp. l. oatmeal and a small amount of flour.
- Leave the mixture for half an hour.
- Apply the adhesive mixture over the cardboard base.
- Mix grain feed with adhesive mass.
- Apply the resulting mixture to a cardboard base.
After that, the grain trough should be placed in the refrigerator for several hours. Once the mixture has hardened, the products can be hung on tree branches in the yard.
There is another technology for making edible feeders:
- Dissolve a bag of gelatin in warm water.
- Pour food into it.
- Divide the resulting mass into molds.
- Insert thread for hanging.
- Send the molds to the refrigerator for a few hours.
After hardening, the feeders are completely ready for use. To make it easier for birds to grip, molds can be placed in bright mesh bags.
How to make a bird feeder from a plastic bottle
There is unnecessary plastic container in every home. Therefore, many are thinking about creating a bottle feeder. The material is cut with scissors or a knife, and the design is transparent and very light. This option is especially useful as there are several ways to create plastic feeders.
How to make a plastic bottle feeder:
- A pair of holes are cut on both sides of the bottle. They should be symmetrical. The shape can be any: arch, square, circle, rectangle.
- Leave jumpers between the holes.
- You can make a rain shade by making an inverted U-slot and bending up the plate.
- The bottom edge of the slots where the birds will land must be secured. To do this, the cut is covered with fabric insulating tape or adhesive tape.
- In the lower part, you need to make symmetrical holes.
- A roost stick is inserted into the holes obtained.
This feeder can be fixed to a tree. For this, the jumper is tied with a rope, tape or other material.
Helpful advice! If you insert twine through the lid of the birdhouse from the bottle, having previously made holes in it, you can form a loop that will allow you to hang the structure on a tree branch.
DIY bunker feeder from a plastic bottle
The hopper design is very rational. It allows you to fill up the feed mixture with a margin of several days. As the birds eat the grains, the additive will automatically flow to the tray.
To work, you need a couple of bottles of the same capacity. One container is marked with a marker. Near the bottom, it is necessary to make holes similar to those performed in the previous version of the plastic feeder, and then remove 1/3 of the bottle (from above).
A pair of symmetrical holes is made in the upper part. They will be used to hang the feeder with belts or twine. The second bottle will hold the feed. In the narrowest part of this container, several holes should be made through which the grains will spill. Do not make the holes very large. It is better to expand them later if necessary.
Fill the appropriate bottle with the feed mixture, screw the cap in and place it inside the container, which is cut by 1/3. After that, the twine is pulled through the holes, and the structure is suspended from a tree.
How to make a bottle feeder: the simplest design with a spoon
There is another variant of the bunker design - a feeder with a spoon. A bottle with a capacity of 1.5-2 liters is suitable for this. First you need to make a hole in the cork and pull the twine through it. With it, the structure will be suspended on a branch. Then you need to make holes symmetrically (one on each side of the bottle). They should match the size of the wooden spoon.
On the side where the deep part of the spoon will be located, the hole needs to be slightly widened so that it is convenient for the birds to take food. All that remains is to fill the trough with the selected feed mixture and hang it in a convenient place.
Helpful advice! To prevent the hopper trough from accumulating moisture, several holes need to be made in the bottom. You can use a small nail or a hot needle to do this.
How to make a bird feeder from a 5L bottle
5L water bottles can hold much more feed than standard containers. In addition, the large size of the container allows you to make several holes, so that a large number of birds can feed at the trough at the same time.
For work you will need:
- wire or tape for hanging;
- clean bottle;
- birdseed;
- a cutting tool such as pruning shears, scissors or a utility knife.
First, a hole is made to suspend the structure. Its location will depend on the nature of the placement of the feeder on the tree:
- Horizontally - a pair of wide holes are made (one near the neck, the other on the bottom side).
- Vertically - with an indent of 5-7 cm from the bottom of the bottle, it is necessary to cut 3 rectangular holes or several square holes.
It is most convenient to hang the bottle by the neck. If the structure will be fixed in a horizontal position, you need to make two holes in the wall and, passing twine through them, fix the feeder on the tree. Plastic structures are very lightweight. To prevent the bottle from swaying in the wind, it is advisable to put ¼ of a brick on the bottom before pouring food into it.
Technology for creating a bunker feeder from a 5 liter bottle
To create a bunker feeder, you will need several bottles (5 L - 1 pc., 1.5 L - 2 pcs.), As well as a stationery knife, rope and a marker. First, markings are applied to the large container. With the help of a marker, a zone is marked near the bottom where the hole will be located, which serves as a tap hole. It is best to make 2 small slots and one large one through which a 1.5 liter bottle can be installed.
Then a U-shaped hole is cut in an inverted form. The top should be folded back to form a rain shield. The lower edge of the opening is sealed with adhesive tape so that the birds do not get hurt during feeding.
In those areas where the bottle placed inside comes into contact with the bottom of the large container, as well as in areas slightly higher, holes need to be made. As the feed is consumed, grains will spill through them. A round hole is made in the cap of a 5 liter bottle so that after screwing in the thread the neck of the inner container rises. Then the neck of the second bottle needs to be cut off along with the top. The result should be a funnel. It should be put on the neck of the inner bottle and screwed on. The feeder is ready.
Helpful advice! It is advisable to install a feeder under the roof to make the birds more comfortable. A canopy or gazebo is suitable for this.
How to make a feeder out of the box: a description of the process
A homemade bird feeder can be made from the simplest materials at hand. Almost every home contains boxes of food, shoes or electrical appliances. For work, it is advisable to select thick cardboard. The ideal option would be a bird feeder from a box with a laminated cover, which will increase the life of the structure.
The advantage of this method is that the box already has walls, a bottom and a roof. Therefore, the steps for converting it into a feeder will be minimal, you only need to cut rectangular or square holes on the sides.
To make a do-it-yourself bird feeder out of the box, you will need a clerical knife or scissors, cord and tape. Since cardboard is short-lived and vulnerable to moisture, it should be wrapped with duct tape for protection. This is done after the trough is ready. When holes are cut in the side walls for access to the feed, you need to fasten the cord and hang the feeder. To prevent the structure from swaying from the wind, you should put some pebbles or sand on the bottom.
You can slightly change the technology. In this case, the box lid is glued perpendicularly. As a result, it will act as a feed stand. The second part of the box will replace the roof and railings. The structure must be glued with tape.
Next, you need to organize a system of fasteners for hanging. For this, a pair of hooks is made from the wire. A piece of wire is bent in half and the end is punctured through the "ceiling" part of the trough. After that, the wire is twisted and bent from the inside. The feeder can now be suspended from a branch.
How to make a milk or juice box feeder
To create such a design, you will need a tetrapack bag from liquid food products, for example, juice or milk.
List of required materials and tools for work:
- hanging wire or nylon rope;
- a clean milk or juice bag;
- adhesive plaster;
- stationery knife or scissors;
- marker.
The feeder should be comfortable for the birds, so markings are made on the cardboard and a couple of holes of sufficient size are cut on opposite sides. The open space will allow birds to move around and take feed easily. For safety reasons, the window must be pasted over with adhesive plaster.
Under the slots, you need to pierce a hole with scissors and insert a cardboard rolled into a tube into it. This will be the roost. The material for its manufacture can be taken from the scraps left over from previous operations. In the corners, you need to make small holes where the rope or wire will be stretched for hanging. The milk carton feeder can be tied to a branch or attached to a tree trunk.
Helpful advice! To prevent the structure from swinging, it is better to cut the slots not on opposite sides, but on the adjacent walls of the bag.
The feeder can be made from two packs of juice. The first tetrapak must be cut along the narrow side parts so that the top remains intact. 1/3 is cut from the second bag, and a hole should be cut on the front side. This area will be used as a stern board. The bottom of the second tetrapack must be combined with the first package. If done correctly, you should get a triangle. It is better to use glue to fix the parts, as well as wrapping with tape.
How to decorate a bird feeder with your own hands: interesting ideas
When the trough is ready, you can start decorating it. In this case, everything depends solely on imagination. The design of homemade bird canteens is practically unlimited, the main thing is that all decor elements are environmentally friendly and safe for birds.
How to decorate a feeder using scrap materials:
- paint the structure with a dye composition;
- decorate with weaving from ropes or twine;
- use materials of natural origin as decoration, for example, moss, tree bark and branches, cones, acorns, chestnuts;
- decorating with colored ropes;
- use of chains with unusual link shapes, etc.
You can find many interesting ideas for decorating homemade feeders on the net. If you approach this issue thoroughly, you can make a house of an unusual shape. After that, paint left over after repairs, various figures and colored paper are used for decoration. However, do not overdo it with rustling and shiny details, otherwise the birds will be frightened. In addition, decorative elements should not create obstacles for the intake of feed.
The use of paint will allow not only to change the color of the structure, but also to protect the material from the negative influence of atmospheric factors. Staining can be solid or multi-colored. In this case, you can use different patterns. It is better if their theme is intertwined with winter motives. You can find many interesting stencils on sale that will simplify the decorating process.
An interesting design will turn out if you arrange a wooden structure in the form of a bee hive or a miniature mill. This work is very meticulous, but if you try, you can achieve a complete resemblance to real buildings. The decoration in the form of small twigs will give the structure a natural charm. At the entrance, you can hang a beautiful pine cone or an edible garland, as long as it does not block access to the food.
For decoration, you can use old utensils, for example, a saucer with a cup or a tea pot. To do this, 4 holes are drilled in the saucer and a rope is pulled through them. After that, the cup is glued to the saucer. Such a structure can be hung anywhere in the yard. The carving, bright painting, leather pieces and appliques look original in the design of the feeders. By creating several designs in the same style, you can get a beautiful composition that will emphasize the exterior of the yard.
Having spent a little time building a bird feeder with your own hands, you can not only provide the feathered inhabitants of the garden with a delicious snack, but also get a decent decoration of the yard.
