$1 Bird Feeder DIY: Dollar store hack

This is an easy project. The birds love it.
#birding
#backyard
#dollarstorehack

[@mtngrammy6953]

Fun! Thanks. You can also use the top as a platform feeder!

[@LSatch]

Great idea!

[@eddyburch9437]

I used 2 of those baskets together with zip ties and 2 suet cakes. It worked great but I like this idea .

[@LSatch]

That’s fantastic. Thanks for watching

[@emptynestgardens9057]

This is fabulous!!!! The dollar store also has wooden cutting boards now that could also be used with this basket. I'm totally going to do this thanks for sharing!!

[@LSatch]

Great idea!!

[@barneymiller6204]

@@LSatch That dollar store cutting board probably will not hold up long in wet weather, better to find a solid piece of hardwood like he used.

[@5eagans]

20 minute projects are the best! Love the dollar store products used, keeps everything inexpensive. Simple concept, but effective. Many thanks!

[@LSatch]

Totally agree! Thank you

[@0anant0]

Simple and elegant! The backyard looks inviting with all those feeders! Thanks for sharing!

[@LSatch]

You’re welcome. Yes we have tons of visitors

[@bobbiingram4258]

I’m making one tomorrow now! Thanks for this and thank you for letting us see the birds come to feed!

[@LSatch]

You are so welcome!

[@suethomas6877]

Best bird feeder I’ve seen where I actually feel like I could make the feeder, without needing loads of fancy/electrical tools. Thank you! And thank you because I’m definitely going to have a go at making it......I’m subscribing to your page 😃

[@LSatch]

Thank you so much for your uplifting response. Thanks for subscribing too.

[@mairwaugus5203]

I have one of those baskets & the hanging wire, but my family gets nervous when I pick up a power tool..

[@michaelfrazer1807]

Thank You . Thank You for supporting Scotland.

[@LSatch]

I love Scotland

[@JoAnnWilsonNYC]

Really creative idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@LSatch]

You are so welcome! The birds love it.

[@ginat.8064]

Thanks for this video! I haven’t done anything like this since primary school but this looks so simple yet so clever, thank you!

[@LSatch]

Thank you. Go for it, your birds will love it and you’ll enjoy watching them. Thanks for watching

[@danalaniz7314]

Very creative and simple. Thanks for sharing.

[@LSatch]

You are so welcome!

[@LarryDMitchell]

Good, simple and yet functional. It's 2/18/21 right now and we've had two ice storms in central KY in the last week and my current suet feeder is encased in ice. This will keep the suet dry and out of the sun. I'm building this tomorrow. Thanks for the video.

[@LSatch]

Ice storms are awful, I hope you didn’t lose power. We are due for an ice storm, it’s been several years since the last one. Good luck with the build, it’s really easy to do.

[@LarryDMitchell]

We are very fortunate our power was not affected. Thanks for the good thoughts. Hope your storm isn't bad.

[@catherineblair550]

Good idea. Very creative.

[@LSatch]

Thanks for watching

[@JasonSmith-qx3zh]

Thank you the best Idea yet great share! Woodpecker died on my step the other day hurt me to my core no wounds only thing I can figure is it died of hunger so I bought suet wonder how I could put it for them he came in my yard like clock work . Another one has started stopping by so I will may sure they have winter food for now on .

[@LSatch]

Sorry to hear about the woodpecker. Hard to say what he died from but I’m glad the other ones will have something to eat.

[@emilykrahn3185]

Thank you. Birds really need food now.

[@carlkozlosky8094]

Very nice Larry. Thanks very much!

[@LSatch]

Thank you for watching

[@Sirmullins]

It was ment to be! I just came in from feeding ,we are having a huge ice storm, I wondered how on earth could I keep the suet from getting covered with snow and Ice !. My birds are forever in your grace. I've subscribed !!! Thank you so much !

[@LSatch]

Thank you, I’m glad they can still eat. Ice storms are the worst.

[@juliegray1519]

Hi from England Larry. I really enjoyed your video and I’ll definitely give it a go. Thank you for sharing. Keep safe. Julie 😊

[@LSatch]

Thank you for commenting. Please do try it your birds will love you.

[@sandywhite4042]

Thank you, again. Use to have a wood shop. So alot of scrape wood. Now,I need to redo it at our farm. We're going to Dollartree this week. So I'll have to see if,they have the basket

[@LSatch]

Good luck, Dollartree hasn't had them the on my last couple of visits. Thanks for watching.

[@robinz2000]

Brilliant idea. Thank you

[@LSatch]

Glad you like it!

[@mtallent5028]

Very nice, protects the suet from the elements too :)

[@LSatch]

Yes it does! The birds love it and have no trouble eating from it.

[@amifoonga]

My goodness, your T-shirt is epic. As a Scotsman who recently settled in the highlands, I salute you my friend!

[@LSatch]

Thanks. I threw professionally as a heavy for 30 years

[@leisurelylogan]

I was originally thinking you would do it with some sort of hoop type hooks to hold the basket. But, this makes more sense, because you can get to inside the basket to refill easily.

[@LSatch]

Leisurely Logan thanks for watching. Yep, super easy and the birds love it. I’ve not seen any squirrels trying to get it either.

[@leisurelylogan]

@@LSatch Not that the squirrels couldn't figure it out. Good to know.

[@thaimuayshoo1171]

That's pretty cool. Thanks for sharing your idea Larry.

[@LSatch]

Thanks for watching

[@theoriginalkeepercreek]

Sometimes folks just over-think things. You sir are a "Simplistic Genious!" Making several of these today. Many Thanks.

[@LSatch]

Wow, thanks! Yes I've seen several on the web that I thought were over engineered. Happy Holidays

[@boostjunkieMike]

Great idea, thanks for sharing

[@LSatch]

You’re welcome. Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching

[@brendapeterman6808]

I stumbled upon your video and so like it. Hopefully it will keep the starlings at bay. Thank you so very much!

[@LSatch]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I hope it keeps your starlings at least frustrated and confused. Good luck

[@patnoble466]

I bought a similar product. The grackles and starlings adapted to the feeder in about four hours and finished the suet cake in two days. I liked the design, but the hypothesis that only woodpeckers and nuthatches would hang from below was disproved in my yard this weekend. Maybe my birds have evolved? Lucky me.

[@michellepollino4986]

Great idea

[@LSatch]

Thank you and thanks for watching

[@joannlamberti1821]

Great idea. I made this, and the darn grackles ate it all. I will put up in the fall when they are gone.

[@LSatch]

Sorry it didn't work for you. Good luck in the fall

[@ruggedrickrude1946]

GR8 job i have loose seed feeders already however i just new to this suet stuff

[@LSatch]

I didn’t start watching the birds until lock down last year. Thanks for watching

[@Merb.]

Nice! I’ve heard this is a great way to discourage magpies and house sparrows because they don’t prefer to perch upside down, but woodpeckers don’t mind. I’m going to give this a try! Thanks 😊

[@LSatch]

The woodpeckers love it. Glad to hear you're going to try it, good luck

[@pauwerwoman1247]

Super idea🐦🐦🐦🤗🥳🌈🌸🍃🌼

[@LSatch]

Thanks

[@starshipgus8578]

Simple and functional,nice job.

[@LSatch]

Thanks!

[@melissafujinaga7514]

Thanks for your video my mom's been having a lot of problems with the grackles eating all of her suet on the woodpeckers, this is just what she needs!

[@LSatch]

Glad I could help

[@hblady1]

Fantastic. I’ve been wanting to make one of these Thanks 🙏

[@LSatch]

Thank you

[@mikestone9129]

Great idea, thanks

[@LSatch]

Glad you liked it!

[@yes350yes]

Cheap but that setup allows for starlings to hang easier. For my upside I use a regular suet feeder but I duct tape around the sides which makes it tougher for starlings. I do like your other dollar store hack on the peanut butter may need to give a try.

[@LSatch]

The duct tape sounds like a great idea. Thanks for watching

[@HiVizCamo]

Nice, and you could fix another rack with finer mesh to the top to hold bigger seed or peanuts. Just hope the Jays get to it before the squirrels notice!

[@LSatch]

That's a great idea. our squirrels go for the easy stuff.

[@deletesoon70]

@@LSatch Exactly, its like an extortion payment to buy them off, to leave the seed alone :)

[@yukimunni]

Very creative.

[@LSatch]

Thank you for watching and commenting

[@1FriendlyFace1]

this warmed my heart

[@LSatch]

Thanks for saying that, I really appreciate your feedback.

[@viviandibrell849]

Great! I have been wanting one of these. But did not want to pay so much. Even I can do this! I may try using my single suet feeder if I can make it work. One less thing to shop for. Thanks!

[@LSatch]

I’m sure you can probably make a single feeder work. Good luck, your birds will love you!

[@katinascarcella281]

I love this.. I have recently started bird watching and feeding.. I find it to be very enjoyable.. thanks for the idea!

[@LSatch]

Same here, I started bird watching a year ago when everything was shut down. Thanks for watching and sharing,

[@PamelaGreen354]

Great thank You for sharing.👌🏻

[@LSatch]

Thanks for watching. I sincerely appreciate your feedback and support

[@NYCWendy1]

Thank you for sharing.

[@LSatch]

You are so welcome!

[@Whocares.........]

Well done!

[@LSatch]

Thank you.

[@janinekuklinski7690]

After watching this video I made one with what I had , gotta say it works pretty well , thank you Larry !!!

[@LSatch]

Excellent!

[@mayamlin]

great video!

[@LSatch]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kristenhills]

Thank you for the video!

[@LSatch]

My pleasure!

[@nancydenis8417]

I love this concept! Thank you from all of my outdoor birds!!

[@LSatch]

Thank you for watching and commenting

[@alonteach]

GREAT IDEA I have to try it myself I have buit a lot of sunbirds feeders (you can see at my channel) and it is about time to upgrade the woodpackers feeder

[@LSatch]

Thank you. Your birds will love it.

[@pattywright7676]

Love it! Simple enough even I can do it!

[@LSatch]

You can do it!

[@markabrice]

Within 22 minutes: squirrel chows down.

[@LSatch]

Sorry to hear that. We have trouble with squirrels too. They usually steal from the other feeders that are easier to get to.

[@ttb1513]

Post a video of what the squirrel did, so we get a sense, if you can.

[@tamaradore6834]

Squirrels have to eat too😉

[@LSatch]

@@ttb1513 I would if I could but I’ve not seen a squirrel on it in months. They go for the easy pickens at the other feeders

[@malonesinclaire9201]

Thank you and it works great....this winter the starlings will not be happy. The Harry Woodpeckers took to it immediately and I have not seen one Starling or Blue Jay even attempt it. Nova Scotia

[@LSatch]

Thank you for the feedback. So glad it works for you.

[@harveydecker6381]

Very cool. Thanks

[@LSatch]

Thank you for watching

[@angelamolinagaffney383]

GREAT IDEA 💡

[@LSatch]

Thanks. Just saw this. It was in my comments that needed reviewed. Not sure why. Thanks for watching.

[@rxlo1062]

Very cool idea 👍

[@LSatch]

Glad you think so. Thanks

[@Itsmevictoire]

I LOVE IT!🌻 ❤FROM DALLAS TEXAS

[@LSatch]

Thanks. Hope you’re doing well, I’ve been praying for Texas

[@eileenlewis303]

Great idea!!! Simple to make and does the job beautifully, one of my favourite bird feeder videos 👍🦜

[@LSatch]

Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. I really appreciate it.

[@eileenlewis303]

Hey Larry, you are more than welcome! This is the kind of thing I like as it's not convoluted at all, thank you for sharing with us 👌

[@douglasthompson2740]

I tried that design and found that contrary to some starlings had no difficulty hanging upside down while flapping their wings feeding on the suet. I used quite a bit larger board (actually plywood) with no good effect. Final result: Just much more trouble changing the suet. I have also used a 'chicken wire' basket around the suet holder that keeps them off the block and that works much better while still allowing the small birds access from the bottom and through the openings.

[@LSatch]

We have problems with squirrels too. Of all the feeders, this one is the one they don’t bother. Probably because the other feeders are so much easier to steal from.😄

[@0anant0]

Yes, I saw a video where they had put up the suet cage on a 2x4 upright pole with wire mesh around it bolted to an horizontal ply to dissuade starlings -- the woodpeckers would take turns going up and down the 2x4 from ground up! Q: How did you put up the chicken wire -- does the chicken wire and the suet cage all hang down some horizontal support?

[@LSatch]

@@0anant0 I’d like to know that too.

[@mbarker1958]

Oh I did like this idea!

[@LSatch]

Great! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@bjquilts29]

Great idea.

[@LSatch]

Glad you think so. Thank you for the feedback

[@thurm101]

Nice

[@LSatch]

Thanks

[@joylara8200]

Thanks for posting -- this is a wonderful project, since buying bird feeders can get expensive!! Do squirrels get at the suet, though?

[@LSatch]

Our squirrels usually don’t bother this one. That’s probably because there are other feeders easier to get to.😄

[@jorasparents]

LOVE THIS!!! In fact, I'm doing this today. :)

[@LSatch]

Great, your birds will love it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@dlighted8861]

I checked but we only have DollarRama here. No baskets like that there. I would rather make my own but they do have a nice suet feeder there. Neat to see the upside down design. It also solves an issue I was having. I can hang it under a big overhang right near a window. 🤗😉🤗

[@LSatch]

Thanks for watching and sharing. I haven't seen them in our Dollar store in a while either but keep your eye out at other places, I'm sure you can find something similar. Good luck.

[@getin3949]

Squirrels would be on that feeder in a heart beat. If you know a city, state, country where there aren't any squirrels then this might work, but not here in America.

[@LSatch]

You’re right, we have squirrels too. They usually don’t bother this one because there are others that are easier to get to

[@getin3949]

@@LSatch Then you don't have a squirrel problem. I get as many as 20 squirrels and they annihilate everything they can get unless my pellet gun gets them first. I don't think they're cute.

[@PamelaGreen354]

@@getin3949 I know where you want your pellets !!!

[@laurencegoldman4639]

You get a 4" PFC 7-8' pipe from Walmart. You sink 3 36" metal fence post designed to chicken wire. Place the $' pipe over these posts. (You'll need to prefigure the post placement to hold the pipe which should be located in the open enough so squirrels can't jump to it.) Now get big hooks and hang feeders from the top of the pipe. Mostly this works until a smart squirrel figures out how to run up the pipe with momentum. Then buy lamp oil from Walmart and coat the outside of the pipe. It now becomes impossible for them to climb. You can have some laughs watching the squirrels fall on their butts. They'll periodically keep trying. So keep the pipe lubed. This is the only thing I've tried that absolutely works. The 4" pipe is key because the diameter is too great for them to reach around.

[@getin3949]

@@LSatch Some people seem to have an endless cash supply but I do not. I think songbirds have a more difficult life, woodpeckers too because people are cutting down too many trees where they make their homes. A dead tree is a home for many families of birds. I have kept a dead tree on my property just for this reason and it isn't a danger to any building, etc. should it some day tip over. Thank you Larry for helping wildlife carry on, you're a good soul.

[@LadyDi205]

That’s a neat ideal. Going to make one.

[@LSatch]

Your birds will love it.

[@rudychavira5558]

Genius simple, I'm on it.

[@LSatch]

Thank you. I really appreciate the feedback.

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

I like how this is such a easy simple project thank you. Is there a benefit to having it made upside down?

[@LSatch]

I’m not sure there’s any benefit from it being upside down but I love watching the birds maneuver around to get to it. I’ve read that starlings are not likely to use it but we don’t have starlings here, (knock on wood). The squirrels usually don’t steal from it either because because there are other feeders they steal from.

[@rhondapelletier2141]

I made one😄 ty....... but hung mine vertically w/ 2 baskets zip tied together....... Squirrels could not reach/ access , birds are happy!

[@LSatch]

@@rhondapelletier2141 good for you. I’m sure your birds will love it!

[@stevebrown3559]

Actually, there is a huge benefit to it being upside down and covered; it actually deters starlings from stealing the food.

[@deedeequast9148]

Have you considered the coating on the basket, which may be some type of rubber or plastic, similar to the coating on a dish drainer? I would worry that the woodpeckers might ingest bits of it while pecking.

[@LSatch]

I haven’t seen the coating deteriorating yet. If it should I’ll just replace the old one and recycle it.

[@deedeequast9148]

@@LSatch Thanks! Will try it.

[@stevestudley4060]

You taught me something new. I am in your debt.

[@garyjordan2019]

Larry will PM you with an address to send a signed blank check to continue giving us great ideas to feed our backyard animals :)

[@gdpope52]

H

[@lancerudy9934]

How long will it last?

[@LSatch]

We usually go through a cake every two weeks but we also have two other suet feeders

[@Real_g.s.]

How long did it take for the squirrels to get into it?

[@LSatch]

I've never seen a squirrel on it. We have much easier feeders for them to attack.

[@alvaromorales5759]

Great job! The suet contains any seeds or it can be placed just as it comes?

[@LSatch]

I just use it as it comes. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@litahsr.8226]

thats a good one

[@LSatch]

It really works

[@elsieberrios7559]

Do squirrels climb on it? Are they able to reach it. I li5ve squirrels,I just do like that they make the seeds disappear too fast, leaving nothing for the birds.

[@LSatch]

We have plenty of squirrels too. I've never seen one on it but that may be just because there are easier feeders to get to.

[@angusmacduff3471]

Aye, that's a gud shirt you have on.

[@LSatch]

Thanks, I have couple hundred Highland games shirts. I was a heavy for 30 years

[@shepfc1962]

I like it

[@LSatch]

Great!

[@maryhart637]

Do you have any tips on how to keep squirrels from eating all the bird seed?

[@LSatch]

Sorry I really don’t. I haven’t seen a squirrel proof feeder yet that really works. We’ve tried the hot pepper stuff and several different feeders.

[@hdtripper1]

@@LSatch My squirrel proof idea works. Easy and fairly cheap. Use either a 2x4 trimmed to where it's 1 1/2" x 2 1/4" for the pole . Slide a pvc down tube from a rain gutter (8' is about $ 8 at menards)You can also slide it over a pipe used for your feeder. I spay a little garage door opener grease to add but I don't think you need it. I watch em try but they cant grip around it or clamp claws in it .They can only jump up so high and fall off. Mine are all at least 5 feet from ground.They are entertaining to watch them try.Keep the feeders away from trees or fences they can jump down onto them. I have 3 squirrels that come every day and feed from what the birds drop on the ground.

[@biggetl1319]

Is their an advantage to hanging it upside down?

[@LSatch]

Sorry for the late reply, it was in my "held for review" file for some reason. Yes, it helps keep birds like starlings and grackles from eating there, they have trouble holding on.

[@emmadalrymple4102]

Great how-to, and female friendly, lol. 👍🏻🦉

[@vickiehadd4324]

So how do you add more suet??

[@LSatch]

Thanks for watching. That’s easy. The wire slides through the wood like a hinge. Check this out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5zdYoqBZteaipI

[@vernslater]

As much as this is all well and good at the dollar store near me I can buy a wire suet cake basket for a buck. Unwrap the cake, put it in the basket, slide the door back on and hang it in the tree. Done and done.

[@LSatch]

Lucky you. Our dollar store doesn’t carry that. If they did l wouldn’t have made this. Thanks for watching

[@vernslater]

@@LSatch yeah sorry bud, I wasn't dissing you, I'm a woodworker too and can appreciate your effort. I've actually seen suet baskets incorporated into U shaped pieces of wood with grooves cut into them for the birds to have some grip. Carry on and have a great day and keep on with the interesting projects.

[@calvinjackson8110]

What kind of suet do you use?

[@LSatch]

I either make my own, kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6LJdIpnor5rbpY, or we but it from Ace hardware

[@ginafriend1690]

Could even add seed or fruits on platform!

[@LSatch]

great idea

[@marcjohnson4385]

Is it squirrel proof

[@LSatch]

I don’t think any feeder is squirrel proof. My daughter’s family put up a squirrel proof feeder recently and the first day a squirrel got got in it. My son in law had to let it out.

[@tamaradore6834]

Clever

[@LSatch]

Thanks

[@barbbassano1417]

You must not get squirrels and if you do how do you keep them away from this

[@LSatch]

We do have squirrels. They have a difficult time with this feeder, they usually go for the easier ones.

[@johnarizona3820]

^5! FYI: The dollar general near me is selling suit blocks for $1.

[@LSatch]

Great buy

[@johnarizona3820]

@@LSatch That's what I thought too.

[@lesbrummett4019]

Why wouldn't you put it on the top instead of the bottom?

[@LSatch]

There are some bird watchers that say it keeps the cackles and starlings from eating it. It’s not a problem for the woodpeckers

[@kimb7970]

That one seems hard for them to get to.

[@LSatch]

Not really. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5_EenurgNGbisk I have never seen a squirrel on it, they go for the easy stuff. Starlings can only stay there for a very short time

[@kimb7970]

@@LSatch Your the expert. 😁

[@LSatch]

@@kimb7970 thank you. Far from an expert but I’m trying to learn.

[@jeanetterandolph4179]

I have seen peice of tough edged wood at Hobby Lobby too.

[@LSatch]

It doesn’t have to be live edge, this was just leftover from another project.

[@sombradiaz6405]

😻

[@LSatch]

Thank you

[@Whatworksthisworks]

Upside down feeders keep suet from starlings.

[@LSatch]

I don't have a starling problem but, yes, that's what I've read, they can't hold on for very long. Thanks for sharing,

[@jimpk1]

I like to make one as I have all the material here but there are too many monkey here.

[@LSatch]

Wow. I can see where that would be a problem.

[@elisevautour6292]

💜💚🧡

[@LSatch]

Thank you so much, glad you liked it

[@randileebabcock4u]

In the USA, we place the $ (dollar sign) BEFORE the numbers!!!!!!

[@LSatch]

fixed, thanks

[@sparkfishes]

And you use: Bushels; feet and inches; fractions of an inch; US gallons ; Fahrenheit; off of ; burglarize; wrench for spanner; dirt for soil. From England 🇬🇧

[@LSatch]

@@sparkfishes don’t forget we don’t know how to spell color either.😄

[@sparkfishes]

@@LSatch your spellings are often more sensible . My brother lives in Ca. I don't knock every thing but I am confused why the spellings are simplified but your weights and measures are archaic.

[@edithwortman32]

🥳

[@barneymiller6204]

Let's hope you don't have starlings around; upside down doesn't stop them.

[@LSatch]

Fortunately I don’t have starlings. I know they can be a serious problem. The woodpeckers love it. Thanks for watching

[@oldcountryman2795]

Anything with suet the racoons pull down and dismantle overnight.

[@LSatch]

I’ve had that happen too. In fact I have a playlist on my channel about it. Larry v Rocky. I haven’t had a problem for months after adding some pvc pipe and hanging it higher. Not to say they won’t attack tonight but so far so good.

[@danvanhoose6783]

Starlings and grackles will destroy a suet cake in one hour here.there a real pest.bad as squirrels.

[@LSatch]

I know starlings can ruin feeders. I don't know how to help that. We have squirrels but they usually go for the sunflower seeds. We don't have grackles here. Good luck