Birdfeeder Instructions

Feeding the birds is an activity that is both enjoyable for you as well as beneficial for the birds in your area. Making your own homemade bird feeder is also rewarding. For a sturdy wooden platform feeder, you will need a few supplies and a little carpentry experience. A bleach bottle bird feeder can be made with simple household supplies and no experience at all. This is a great project to do with your kids. Once your feeder is finished, you will be able to watch our feathered friends all year long.

Things You'll Need

  • Platform feeder:
  • 1-inch by 2-inch boards
  • 1/2-inch plywood
  • Nails or screws
  • Hammer or drill
  • 4 small screw hooks
  • Narrow chain
  • 1 s-hook
  • Bleach bottle with center spout
  • Scissors
  • 1/4-inch dowel
  • Thin wire
  • Spray paint
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Instructions

  1. Platform Bird Feeder

    • 1

      Cut the 1-inch by 2-inch boards into the required lengths: two side pieces measuring 34 inches and two end pieces measuring 20 1/2 inches. Cut a piece of plywood 34 inches by 22 1/2 inches.

    • 2

      Nail or screw the two end rails to the two side rails to create a closed rectangle 2 inches high. Nail or screw this to the plywood bottom.

    • 3

      Screw the four small hooks into the corners of the rails. Attach equal lengths of narrow chain to each hook. The chain should be about 24 inches long, depending on your desired hanging length.

    • 4

      Hook all four chains onto the s-hook. Use the s-hook to hang your feed from a feeder tree, clothesline or other place. The s-hook will just screw into place. Fill the bird feeder with seed.

    Bleach Bottle Bird Feeder

    • 5

      Remove any labels and clean the bleach bottle very thoroughly. Any remaining bleach fumes could be harmful to the birds.

    • 6

      Use scissors to cut four 3-inch feeding holes in the sides of the bleach bottle. Space them evenly around the bottle, 2 inches from the bottom, with opposite holes directly across from each other. One set of holes should be slightly higher than the other. Poke a 1/4-inch hole beneath each hole.

    • 7

      Cut two pieces of 1/4-inch dowel 4 inches longer than the diameter of the bottle. Poke them through the small holes beneath the feeding holes.

    • 8

      Thread a long piece of thin wire through the top of the bottle. With your fingers reaching through the hole, twist the wire securely around the center of the upper dowel. Decorate with spray paint if desired. Hang and fill with bird seed.