Hunting DIY Squirrel feeder

[Jpe]

Evening All,

Made myself a Squirrel feeder this evening to try and help a friend out with a Squirrel problem he’s got, will add some metal reinforcement to the corners and a catch then it’s good to go, first time shooting for over 10 years and first time going after Squirrels so wish me luck, hopefully have some pictures of the results to share over the next few weeks.

Cheers

Jon

 

[WR142]

Keep us updated on your progress.
Good luck.

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

Looks good but you may want to think about a flap on the opening to stop the birds emptying the feeder too quickly.

Something a bit like this…

 

[Jpe]

Keep us updated on your progress.
Good luck.

Will do, hopefully get it up and filled over the weekend.

Looks good but you may want to think about a flap on the opening to stop the birds emptying the feeder too quickly.

Something a bit like this…

View attachment 1012163

Thanks, I’ll look to make something, with the cost of bait I don’t want to be losing too
much unnecessarily.

 

[Jpe]

Feeder finally deployed.

 

[Mandalorian]

You could have put a bigger hinge on. Good luck.

 

[Jpe]

It’s all that was available to “borrow” from work

 

[smartshooting]

Will do, hopefully get it up and filled over the weekend.



Thanks, I’ll look to make something, with the cost of bait I don’t want to be losing too
much unnecessarily.

You dont need the open slot in the bottom, just a hinged lid low enough for them stand up and flip open. they soon figure it out and it keeps the birds out apart from the corvids that are also smart enough to figure that out. Rubber works well for the hinges and also helps to waterproof the box and stop the food getting damp and fermenting. Lorry innertubes are perfect but cars will be fine as well. I use polycarbonate for the lids and normally perspex for the front so that you can see the feed level but if you are shooting on it wood will be better.

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

You dont need the open slot in the bottom, just a hinged lid low enough for them stand up and flip open. they soon figure it out and it keeps the birds out apart from the corvids that are also smart enough to figure that out. Rubber works well for the hinges and also helps to waterproof the box and stop the food getting damp and fermenting. Lorry innertubes are perfect but cars will be fine as well. I use polycarbonate for the lids and normally perspex for the front so that you can see the feed level but if you are shooting on it wood will be better. View attachment 1018145

Is that a red?

 

[smartshooting]

Is that a red?

Sure is. I'm sitting here minding the BBQ and watching three of them on the three feeders in the garden

 

[Skid]

If I wanted to see a red squirrel round here I'd have to paint it first...

 

[smartshooting]

If I wanted to see a red squirrel round here I'd have to paint it first...

they are cute little buggers..

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

they are cute little buggers.. View attachment 1018607View attachment 1018608

Fabulous to see !

 

[Titanist]

The little buggers haven’t taken well to the lids I put on just a week ago

 

[TOUCHMYMONKEYUK]

The little buggers haven’t taken well to the lids I put on just a week ago
View attachment 1022874View attachment 1022875

Think you might need a thinner lighter lid. Clearly they cant lift it lol

 

[Titanist]

It’s lighter than it looks, cheep ply, and there’s no damage on the second feeder that from filling is being used the same amount
Mybe I need to build them a gym on the next tree over

 

[OldStock]

The little buggers haven’t taken well to the lids I put on just a week ago
View attachment 1022874View attachment 1022875

They normally get their nose under it to lift it, by the overhang, there is no overhang.
They will need to bite it, to lift it.

Ideally, it is something they can quickly nose up without splinters or getting cut, see what to take, and nose in from that point.
That is why plastic works well, normally not sharp, light enough to have a look, no great weight.
Mine are metal but a bit smaller than that.

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

Yes, l think a lighter lid, maybe a piece of Perspex.

 

[Titanist]

They normally get their nose under it to lift it, by the overhang, there is no overhang.
They will need to bite it, to lift it.

Ideally, it is something they can quickly nose up without splinters or getting cut, see what to take, and nose in from that point.
That is why plastic works well, normally not sharp, light enough to have a look, no great weight.
Mine are metal but a bit smaller than that.

Got plenty of commercial kitchen wall cladding plastic, I’ll have to switch it out on my way home from work one day.
What’s their problem, it is squirrels that are coming I’m sure

 

[Dr B]

Def not a lighter lid - as rats and mice will lift it and take the feed (and mice can move in!!!). You need a heavy lid, but one with a over hang (lip) is the classic design. The original in the Op will be destroyed in a matter of days / a week or two, as its an open-hatch feeder. Will feed everything else in the woods as well as the greys. Not great. Always have some form of lid / only squirrel access type of arrangement if possible. Best of luck with it.