do it yourself bird feeder pole

Bởi

How to easily make your own DIY bird feeder pole from an inexpensive piece of EMT pipe.

I’ve wanted a bird feeder for our back deck ever since we moved into the cottage so I could do some bird watching.

The hubs wasn’t interested in having one (he didn’t want to spend $$ on a feeder and food).

So, instead of waiting for him to change his mind, I went out and got supplies myself.

WHAT TYPE OF BIRD FEEDER?

The best bird feeder for you will mostly depend on how it appears. Choose your favorite pattern or style and go with it! The kind of seed sown will also determine the kind of birds that will be drawn to it. Keep checking back as we compile a list of our top bird feeders and seeds.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 9? text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”|-104px||-74px||” custom_padding=”|93px||101px||” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”].

There is a limited list of materials and tools needed for this easy project. We’ll also share a mistake we made with you here so you can steer clear of the same one. A tip: if something seems too good to be true, it most likely is!

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.9? text_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#9966cc” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 9? text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”|-104px||10px||” custom_padding=”|77px||||” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”].

Ensure you’ve got your supplies ready and/or available before beginning. Eye roll! Don’t most projects require at least one trip to the hardware store?

Here’s the list for our project.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 9? text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-10px|||||” custom_padding=”|||10px||” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”].

4×4? wooden post (pressure-treated is best) Two 50 lb. Mix concrete* Two 2×4 boards to level the post; Water Hangers, Screws, Squirrel obstruction

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.9? text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 9? text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-10px|||||” custom_padding=”|||10px||” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”].

Work gloves, shovel, post-hole digger, drill, tape measure, screwdriver, level, and ladder

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3. 25? background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4? _builder_version=”3. 25? custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 9? text_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#9966cc” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”].

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 9? text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”|-104px||-74px||” custom_padding=”|||70px||” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”].

Supplies to make a bird feeder pole for under $5

The bird feeder and all of my other supplies were easily found at the hardware store but I wasn’t crazy about the bird feeder poles that they offered.

They were all more expensive than I wanted to pay, and they were all rather brief and skimpy.

It took me a few seconds to realize that I needed to look around for something different so I could make my own pole for less money.

It didn’t take long to find exactly what I needed in the electrical section, a 10? piece of ¾” EMT conduit.

It cost less than $5, so I could use it to make the ideal do-it-yourself bird feeder pole.

One issue though, was that the conduit was straight and I needed a bend in it so I could hang my bird feeder.

No problem. You can easily do this with a conduit bender.

do it yourself bird feeder pole

Once I was home with my new bird feeder and pole, I quickly got to work hanging it.

First I drilled a hole in the curved end for my hook.

do it yourself bird feeder pole

I then drilled a hole in the deck railing using a spade bit, big enough to accommodate the pipe.

do it yourself bird feeder pole

I snaked my conduit, or feeder pole, into the hole and added 2 screws at the bottom to secure it to the deck.

do it yourself bird feeder pole

I hung the hook in the hole I drilled at the end of the conduit, and hung the filled bird feeder on that.

Easy peasy…and less money than a regular bird feeder pole.

My bird feeder would not only provide food for my feathered friends, but it would also allow me to get up close and personal with them just outside our window.

I was concerned that the birds would want to approach the house so closely, but I had a guest when I returned to the yard after putting my tools away.

Less than 5 minutes after it was up!

do it yourself bird feeder pole

Observing and attempting to identify the various birds that come to visit is something I truly enjoy. Roger, as I anticipated, has been having fun with it as well.

And then there were squirrels…

The squirrels quickly began to call, so we hurried to come up with a plan.

After three attempts, we managed to deter the squirrels from scaling the bird feeder pole.

My feathered friends can now eat without interruption and without having to deal with those annoying squirrels.

WHAT’S THE BEST PLACE FOR YOUR BIRD FEEDER?

Choose a location that is conveniently visible from an area where you spend a lot of time. Look out the window from your preferred location in the living room or kitchen. Is there a location that you find particularly appealing? Maybe you would like more than one of these

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 4. 9? text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”10px|-104px||-74px||” custom_padding=”|93px||101px||” text_font_size_tablet=”14px” text_font_size_phone=”13px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”].

FAQ

How tall should a bird feeder pole be?

It’s not unusual to find birds at feeders that may be higher or lower than where they might naturally feed. Most bird feeders are positioned at 5-6 feet, and that suits many of the most popular backyard birds perfectly.

How do you stabilize a bird feeder pole?

Instead, you need to work on firming up the ground AROUND the base of the pole. So use your foot or a mallet or a stone or whatever to compact the soil around the pole’s foot support. This approach can actually make a surprising difference.