Are you looking to attract charming little birds to your garden or backyard without breaking the bank? This DIY platform bird feeder is the perfect weekend project. It’s simple, cost-effective, and can be made using materials you likely already have at home.
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Check PriceIn this article, we’ll walk through the steps, based on a YouTube video, to help you create your very own bird feeder.
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What You Will Need
- 8 long strips of wood or PVC board (approximately 12 inches in length)
- Window screen (heavier-duty preferred)
- 1-inch or 1-¼-inch exterior deck screws
- Drill for pre-drilling holes
- Self-tapping eyelets
- Chain or weather-resistant rope
- A small key ring
Step 1: Gathering Your Materials
The first step is to collect all the materials needed for the bird feeder.
You can use various materials such as long strips of wood or PVC board. If you choose wood, make sure it’s treated to withstand weather conditions. PVC board is a great alternative since it won’t split as easily as wood. The size of the strips should be around 12 inches long and about an inch square.
Step 2: Creating the Frame
Once you have your materials ready, it’s time to form the base of the bird feeder.
Connect four strips of wood or PVC board to make a square. Pre-drill countersunk holes if you’re using wood to prevent it from splitting. Use exterior deck screws to join the strips together securely. Repeat this step to create a second square frame.
Step 3: Adding the Screen
With your two square frames ready, the next step is to sandwich a piece of heavier-duty window screen between them. The screen will act as the platform on which the birds will perch and feed. Position the screen between the two frames, ensuring it’s taut and evenly spread out.
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Pre-drill a few more countersunk holes around the frames to secure the screen firmly. Use screws to fasten the two squares together, enclosing the window screen.
Step 4: Installing the Eyelets
Now that the main structure of the bird feeder is complete, it’s time to add the eyelets.
These self-tapping eyelets should be screwed into the corners of the frame. They will serve as anchor points for the chains or ropes you will use to hang the bird feeder.
Step 5: Attaching the Chain or Rope
For this project, chains were used due to their durability and ease of adjustment. However, you can use any weather-resistant rope or string that you have available.
Attach the chain to the eyelets, ensuring that all four corners are evenly balanced. You can adjust the length of the chain by opening a link and resizing it as needed.
Step 6: Assembling the Hanging Mechanism
Finally, to bring everything together, use a small key ring to link the four chains at the top. This will create a central point from which you can hang the bird feeder.
Attach the key ring to your chosen hanging spot, whether it’s a tree branch, hook, or any other sturdy support.
Conclusion
And there you have it—a quick and easy DIY platform bird feeder that you can whip up in about 10 minutes using scraps you probably have lying around the house.
It’s a fantastic project to do with kids on a lazy Sunday morning. Once it’s hung up, you can sit back and enjoy the sight of house finches and other lovely birds visiting your new feeder.
If you found this guide helpful, consider subscribing to the YouTube channel, liking the video, and sharing it with your friends.
Happy birdwatching!