How I Designed ● a Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

I'm making another squirrel proof bird feeder! But before I do, I need to find out what size of opening a squirrel cannot get through. I used a simple set-up to determine that size. The squirrels were very co-operative and were great volunteers in helping me determine their limits. No squirrels were harmed in the making of this video! Squirrels are smart and can get into most squirrel proof bird feeders. But if you design it properly they won't be able to enter the bird feeder.
This is also great a great dog entertainment video.
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[@gritsnsand]

5:39 Squirrel is thinking " I really need to hit the gym. I used to have no problem fitting into this thing."

[@Le-vh9iv]

Dude this type of practical long term experiments on real world problems are what I love about youtube. Awesome.

[@chrisnotap]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tagesschaumukbang345]

3:23 link and search

[@discojoe3]

Wow, this video of you incrementally adjusting the height of bars for several minutes was truly compelling.

[@Plantsandtoyhorses]

Hi Chris! I am so glad you made a new video! My husband and i tried to make a version of your triangular bird feeder with the ringlets. However since we don't have a nice work shop with a table saw or pipe cutter, instead of using copper pipe we used PVC pipe to make the ringlets. Also since we don't have a way to properly cut glass, we used clear plexiglass that can easily be drilled into. My husband put aluminum strips around the base panel for sturdiness. He had to put screws into the bottom panel that go into the PVC ringlets as the silicone adhesive was not holding them onto the plastic very well. To make it hard for squirrels to open, we used cabinet magnets on the opening panel. We have ours hanging in a tree. And its certainly kept squirrels from going inside, and its been up since middle of May but the birds around here still have not learned to associate it with food. but we still need to add the perch so maybe that will help.

[@judithhoudeshell9313]

just know that the squirrels may chew the pvc pipe and plexiglass as they did on my feeders when we replaced the broken glass front!

[@marty01957]

Loved the glass and copper bird feeder! Looking forward to this new one!

[@chrisnotap]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@_Solaris]

The many miniscule incremental adjustments were riveting & fascinating.

[@ginafriend1690]

That took patience and quite helpful. Learn something new everyday. Thanks!

[@chrisnotap]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BrucesWorldofStuff]

Thanks for the video it was a lot of fun to watch... I have lots of squirrels in my yard. I have Lots of old huge trees and the squirrels are everywhere. We bark at each other, Yes squirrels bark... Lol They play games with my dogs, like chase the squirrels around the tree sideways. Let's chase the squirrels hanging on the swinging tree branch. My fav is lets through nut shells at the dogs game... Squirrels re so much fun! The best one is, Let's play Ball game! The squirrels comes down the tree and gets on the ground about 4 feet from the tree and teases the dog and when the dog runs for the squirrels, the squirrels runs for home base and the dog tries to climb the tree too! So funny! The dog never learns... :-D I was playing bark at the squirrels the other day with a squirrels and another squirrels came from another tree behind me and thumped me in the head with a walnut... :-) Silly squirrels! LLAP

[@TheVwgolfmk1]

Interesting video, looking forward to seeing the new feeder. 👍😁

[@chrisnotap]

You and me both!

[@erics118garage5]

I can’t wait to see your new feeder Chris. I absolutely love the last one so I built two of them!

[@merlewarnsholz2094]

Interesting - Great video, and it shows how they go about their work, until it doesn't work anymore. Thanks for sharing.

[@kariknight6287]

Great video. Look forward to the next one.

[@khavyvath22]

Squirrel: is this thing getting smaller or am I getting fatter ?

[@kicknsystm]

I was thinking that very thing. You beat me to the post lol.

[@khavyvath22]

kicknsystm great minds think alike

[@Blob_07]

Hahaha lol

[@tomcoryell]

Someone used the wrong setting on the dryer when they washed the feeder.

[@b.a.lineman7582]

Yea... giving the lil guy a complex... soon after the 1-1/4” opening he ran out into traffic and ended it

[@bjorncedervall5291]

Next they will send in their baby squirrels to get the food for them.

[@nrqed]

lol!

[@PurpleObscuration]

Or turn their heads 90°.

[@plantbased5673]

That might be a violation of child labor laws. 🤔

[@thumper1747]

Not only do I commend you for sharing your exploits, but all those leaving comments are so entertaining 👍

[@chrisnotap]

Glad you like them!

[@danmelton4516]

You notice how the birds get in .video didn't show.

[@BigHesh81]

Loved the video Chris! Always great content, and I LOVED that perspective from inside the jar! Have you seen Mark Rober's squirrel video? Given your enjoyment for squirrel-proof bird feeders, I think you'd really get a kick out of it! Cant wait to see the new design!

[@paulinelee9694]

This is fascinating to watch. Thankyou for sharing this with us

[@chrisnotap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MKokalari]

I think at some point the squirrel said : I can still fit but I am full at this point.

[@user-rk5od9ke7i]

"Эти понты не для меня"-решила выдра. И не пришла...

[@guillermoquintanilla4253]

@@user-rk5od9ke7i k

[@BillSmithPerson]

I assume he used a different test squirrel each time.

[@bazza945]

Did you notice at the tightest setting the squirrel didn't bother trying to enter. That shows incredible smarts, because as you will have observed they usually never give up trying.

[@pterodox123]

Beautiful audio! Both the voice over and nature.

[@chrisnotap]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garykorzelius5930]

Fun and entertaining as usual. Thanks Chris.

[@chrisnotap]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@josiahwest1541]

Always love your vids

[@eamonrodgers4751]

This is so cool and helpful, pesky squirrels, well done you my friend, my wee birds bring unimaginable joy❤

[@stevenV57]

Cute squirrels and they taste good too, makes a fine gumbo.

[@natfoss5031]

Squirrels are delicious

[@T1Oracle]

I took a fish tank, cut 1.5 inch holes in it, and mounted it on a stick. That's my bird feeder. It was cheaper than copper pipe. Thanks for the idea!

[@chrisnotap]

It's all about using the noggin and creativity you've proven that!!

[@MasterJediJason]

I enjoyed this video more then any video i have seen in such a long time! Thanks for making it!

[@dannyvancauwenberghe]

I appreciate you using the metric system as well

[@leftylou6070]

Well, that was exciting!

[@truthreignsfacts4997]

Little did the little critter know, that he was part of an experiment, with the ultimate goal of designing a feeder, that him and his friends would no longer get a free meal. Maybe the squirrel can find a lawyer to defend him, by the homeowner showing partiality to a particular species. Many lawyers are rodents, so it shouldn’t be hard!

[@chrisnotap]

Lol! Nice analogy!

[@miric6224]

LOL

[@OneBlueFroggy]

@Eugene Saint - well done ! ❤️🇨🇦👍

[@louisegogel7973]

@Eugene Saint Hahahaha very funny legalese.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Lawyer for the rodent can sue for discrimination LOL , claim "Bird privilege"

[@sueg2658]

Interesting experiment. Great idea! Well they did enjoy the seeds while it lasted. But this experiment will help you build a way that the birds get their share too.

[@demiurgiac]

You just saved me a lot of head scratching. I want to build a protective 'cage' to put young plants in (that my squirrels keep ripping up). Now I know the required bar spacing with no more than effort than watching a 6 minute YT video. Thanks!

[@kilroy2517]

"Hey Joanie, call your cousin, Little Mike. We're gonna need him here."

[@MuhammadDaudkhanTV100]

Excellent idea

[@Axgoodofdunemaul]

Good video. I especially liked your sound background.

[@chrisnotap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephenmartini5890]

Nice to know you have all the time to devote to a squirrel feeder. Just put the feeder at the top of a pole and a paint can with a hole in bottom over top a hose clamp. Can shakes as squirrel tries to climb over.

[@Astalyxs]

great vid and very interesting!

[@chrisnotap]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrisleon2085]

I love your other video of bird feeder cause the squirrel try so hard to get some food

[@aaronalquiza9680]

after all these years, i'm starting to think that the squirrel is a paid actor.

[@greeniejeannie]

I'm a squirrel. I will teach my babies to get in there and shove some seeds out! I WILL find a way!

[@ciprianseni3576]

Nice video. Thank you

[@penelopepitstop13]

@ Chris Notap, Hi. I thought this experiment was Dope from start to finish I really Enjoyed it it was an eye opener... You can actually see the squirrel thinking trying to work it out Amazing. Thank You. 🐶 PEACE! 🚭

[@avablack9353]

Aww the squirrel is adoreable 💜

[@ciprianseni3576]

Nice Video. Thank you

[@twinheatingairconditioning135]

Great camera work

[@chrisnotap]

Glad you liked it

[@dianagillen1362]

Cool 😆 squirrels are so funny 🤣

[@exposingthedarknesswiththe9190]

*WELL DONE SAYS THE BIRDS!!* *HAHAHA!!*

[@shahzadrazi7639]

Very genius. I'm looking for a pigeon proof bird feeder for my backyard in Las Vegas where pigeon is a big problem.

[@drescherjm]

I laughed each time the squirrel attempted to go inside. They are quite smart..

[@phuturephunk]

You found quite the hefty boy to test this on. I really didn't think he'd be able to get out of the 2" setup.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Since the shoulders are a non-issue the true bar to the squirrel is can it squeeze its head through. If yes is the answer then it can fit.

[@spaideman7850]

squirrel: im gonna bring my 2 toddlers here tomorrow.

[@chrisnotap]

The young ones won't approach it. They are too cautious.

[@JakesOnline]

Attach a twig at the opening to see if they try to use it as a tool.

[@tryhardfinessedyou]

If I was betting id say no.

[@canada5691]

Trust me, they will chew right through anything made of wood or plastic to get at food. I’ve had them chew right through my plastic composter that is 1/4” thick.if you have a clear plastic container with seeds in it, they will chew right through the side of it to get to the seeds.

[@chrisnotap]

Correct. That is why I do not use plastics.

[@donleathers1070]

I have had squirrels gnaw through a copper fuel line in my parked outside truck

[@NichaelCramer]

If I had to guess, I’d think that the real limit here is the size of the squirrel’s skull. That is, if they can get their head in, they can get the rest of their body is. The folklore is that, because of the “collapsible” nature of their skeletons a full-grown rat can get through a hole the size of a dime or a nickel. I think it’s cool that you did your own experimenting here. One other source might be to ask, say, an exterminator. I suspect they might have some good data on the size of the hole various animals can get through. In any case, nice job.

[@kcain64]

How did you settle on 1 1/2' for the bird feeder?

[@lohphat]

The programmer in me screamed inside "Do a binary search instead of a linear search for the threshold!"

[@robertsenecal3189]

Good to watch at bedtime

[@GrollPluriel]

Nothing like a slinky on a vertical tube. Simple, cheap, easy and totaly squirel free!

[@chrisnotap]

That is a great tip!

[@jandastroy]

Adolescent squirrel: np fam Recently graduated squirrel: oh uh, this was my future plan

[@k.fuentes7448]

Is there video of the wild bird feeding on the seed?

[@YY4Me133]

The height of the opening was changed, but not the width. I think that's why the squirrel was able to get into such small openings.

[@michaeldixon7961]

The squirrel will have a hacksaw and screwdriver on the next visit.

[@dorisdady8758]

That so cute

[@fatimasipen8191]

Wow, you're the patient one.

[@apollonia6656]

Any ideas to stop starlings from depleting feeders ? Tried to many feeders without any luck. Thank you.

[@neiledwards5100]

I would actually enjoy having these creature’s in my garden

[@aunusuallylargecat1779]

squirrel: *gets stuck also squirrel: _what you doing there step bro?_

[@Vasyl40]

thanks for the metrics)

[@steves5172]

I think your results, good as they are, could be a ‘false positive’ - as the bars get smaller the squirrel gets fatter! I really loved the video thanks for uploading!

[@chrisnotap]

Great point!

[@supersawyer2222]

This is really cool

[@yashsinghrathore9615]

Good video sir

[@chocol8milk]

Best squirrel proof bird feeder: put out a little bowl with food for the squirrel's a few yards away. They stop focusing on the birdfeeder. Worked for me.

[@RandomAmerican3000]

Personally, I'd rather just cut out the birds and feed the squirrels.

[@bluzzjazz]

No, squirrels are greedy feeders. They eat that food and then go to the bird's. My break- barrel pellet gun has been the only deterrent thus far and that was a last resort.

[@Jeremy_Walker]

Looks pretty bird proof too ...

[@Sam-tg4ii]

I think would have been better if you put the rods vertically. Squirrels are wider than they are high. So, they have a harder time going through vertically-tight areas than horizontally-tight

[@chrisnotap]

I will be experimenting with both vertical and horizontal. Thanks.

[@conniewojahn6445]

The size of the opening depends on the size of the squirrel. Females and adolescents are smaller. Also, they will turn sideways and approach the opening so the length (width) becomes the height and they can squeeze in.

[@chrisnotap]

I had this up for almost a week. Many visited. The small ones will no venture up onto things like this until they gain confidence and grow bigger.

[@pkaspar78]

Or the red squirrel which is smaller

[@MiddleEastMilli]

Ahhh yes, the Squirrel Limbo Bar!

[@thestylesworld]

Thanks for the video. Do you have any other video showing how birds are eating from this squirrel proof feeder?

[@chrisnotap]

Yes I do! .... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHeXnGRpjt1mrZo

[@h4hir1]

Hi, IntlMind do you mind sharing pictures of your build. I am in the same situation with limited resources. Especially when copper is very costly and could not able to find 1.25" pipe at all in local stores.

[@MuhammadDaudkhanTV100]

Nice

[@ruthking8243]

Now I can see how temptation works. Doesn’t take much,does it?

[@wilmerflores3466]

Like 8 wins for the squirrel 🤩 and 1 win for the human 🤣

[@someguyfrommemphis]

GOOD THING THIS VIDEO WAS HERE WHEN YOU SEARCHED FOR IT LIKE ME

[@gearsandgod]

Paying this squirrel for his work in your film.

[@rishabhchaubey2621]

6:10 Squirrel thinking "I should buy membership for gym"

[@TacticalSandals]

I think you also made a bird proof bird feeder.

[@marblecountertops3098]

You must live in Ontario our backyards sound exactly the same

[@stevecooper8121]

I bought mine at tractor supply and it works perfect. The weight of the squirrel closes the doors down.

[@skozlo]

Nice video, Chris. Have any of this with birds eating ?

[@FahQ-fo3zc]

What do you work at for a living I'm just curious

[@josbigotis4578]

That last squirrel looked defeated and hungry..

[@jerymedobbs9786]

Squirrel gravy is excellentp, as is squirrel and dumplings.

[@troyjames827]

Squirrel probably thought he was getting fat as you lowered the bar lol

[@johnpacker5180]

what size hole for keeping out red squirrel

[@papaismurf3885]

Excelente Job.👏👏👏

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

"...or why our squirrels weigh 30 pounds" :-)

[@sah7920]

Due to the test feeding he does on them

[@yorga06]

i like how in millimeters is just a number not an equation :))

[@daenite2480]

And then their stepbrother walks in

[@ltsgarage7780]

Is that Step brother the Red Headed step child one??

[@deltanovember2296]

😂 if you know, you know.

[@user-me9tk4ow4z]

An endless game of clever squirrels and naively man

[@felixmathewphilip4028]

Powli aliya

[@itsBoatsandHoes]

Squirrel is thinking, “I gotta lay off the nuts. I swear I fit in there yesterday…” 😂 🐿

[@PeterVJaspersFayer]

And now, you'll get chipmunks!

[@chrisnotap]

We do not have chipmunks in our area at all.

[@curtdunlap6818]

@@chrisnotap Oh, you're lucky! Those little Timber Tigers can wipe out a feeder in no time! Between the Squirrels, chipmunks & Grackles, not to mention the birds we're trying to feed, we go through a lot of feed!