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How to Make a Platform Bird Feeder

SAFETY FIRST: Ask an adult to help with tools you haven't used before.

If I were to choose one bird feeder to watch out my window, it would be a platform feeder. This simple project makes an ample feeder for serving a flock of seed eaters. (And it makes a great gift.)

feeder-feature

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • One 30-inch 1-inch-by-12-inch board (You can also cut a similar-size piece from a ¾ -inch-thick piece of plywood; treated wood weathers better.)
  • 7 feet of 1-inch-by-1-inch pine (Or use 1-inch pine quarter round trim, or cut 1-inch by 1-inch strips from the 3/4 –inch-thick plywood).
  • 10 galvanized 6-penny box or finishing nails
  • One 1-inch pipe flange with four ¾-inch screws
  • One 6 to 8 foot length of 1-inch galvanized pipe with one end threaded. (You can also screw the feeder onto a deck railing or hang it from eyehooks.)

Note: A roof is not necessary, but one can be added to keep the bird seed drier.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

feeder-1

STEP 1: Cut platform feeder base.

 

feeder-2

STEP 2: Measure and cut trim pieces so that they fit around the edge of the top of the platform feeder. This will serve to contain the bird seed.

 

feeder-3

STEP 3: Nail or screw the trim pieces to the platform feeder.

 

feeder-4

STEP 4: Fasten the pipe flange in the center of the bottom side of the platform with ¾-inch screws. (Or fasten screw eyes to each end of the platform if you want to hang it up.)

 

feeder-5

STEP 5: Screw pipe into the pipe flange and erect your platform feeder in your yard within viewing distance of your window.

 

FEEDER TIPS

Place the platform feeder in your best viewing position — but also consider nearby shrubs and trees for shelter and protection for the feeding birds. In open areas, place your feeder on the side of the house that is most protected from winter winds.

Each bird species has its special habits and needs. The best high-energy foods include sunflower seeds, peanut kernel, white proso millet and suet (beef fat).

Lastly, because birds will come to depend on your platform feeder, it is important that you keep it full of food. Neglect it, and birds could suffer.


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17 Comments on How to Make a Platform Bird Feeder

  1. Where can you buy the seed trays that go in the platform feeder

  2. candy maniac0077 // May 16, 2011 at 7:59 pm // Reply

    cool my mom has 3

  3. bow hunter // March 22, 2011 at 8:37 pm // Reply

    I build bird house and feeders all the time and i sell a lot of them and its a fun thing to do for a hobby

  4. Lycanthrope // March 12, 2010 at 5:37 am // Reply

    Simple diagrams. I don’t get what you guys are mumbling about. Just pay attention to each detail and the diagrams are easy to read.
    One problem is squirrels. When there are birds, there are squirrels. I would recommend waxing the pole or something so they can’t get up. When I was a little kid, I made a bird feeder in cub scouts, but the only thing that ate from there were squirrels. =/

  5. CoinCollector // January 29, 2010 at 12:35 pm // Reply

    Could you put in a picture of the final bird feeder?

  6. bird lover // June 29, 2009 at 7:57 am // Reply

    suggest making the platform out of screening so that seeds will have a better chance of drying if they get wet

  7. that will be the easy thing, but making a dollhouse for the birds will be the hard thing!

  8. it would be great if there was a picture of the finished product so we can see what it should look like

  9. Show the final picture for the feeder.

  10. sm speed 297 // August 2, 2007 at 8:24 am // Reply

    I Can’t Wait To Build It. I Have A Bird House, I’m Going To Put It Thare.

    Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

  11. Derrick, Age 10, Florida // July 26, 2007 at 1:58 pm // Reply

    This is very easy and I have done it a couple times, I don’t even need adult help.

    However, like other people said, the diagrams are confusing. I just don’t look at them and follow the directions, but now that I’m used to making bird houses, it’s not really hard. I would just go ahead and try it if this is your first time doing a birdhouse. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find that it’s really fun and doesn’t take that long! 🙂 😉

  12. very usefull for merit badges, but the diagram are too detailed

  13. this is really good but maybe next time make it less confusing

  14. codyrules // May 26, 2007 at 5:24 pm // Reply

    this is a boring thing, i could build a house with 3 rooms in a day!!!!!!

  15. It would be cool if you could make a bird house out of this!

  16. You could also put a small plastic bowl full of water on your feeder, so the birds could drink and bathe in it.

  17. Nathaniel // May 17, 2007 at 4:08 pm // Reply

    This is a neat idea! ☺

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