Hunting What Squirrel Feed? What the Science Says....

[Accuspell]

I have been given a great tip for building a feeder. It results in them NOT chewing the wood whatsoever. Standard flip-top design, like a bird nesting box, with a gently sloping 'roof' that is hinged at the back and has enough of an overhang they can lift it easily. Where this advice differs is in the base of the food chamber, it uses wire mesh not flat wood. "Oh, but the food will fall through", I hear you cry. It won't if you use a large, glass jar as the food store inside the wooden box. The beauty of this is, it is easy to take the jar out and wash it. The wooden housing has had NO contact with the food, so doesn't get any scent soaked into it - the squirrels don't chew it. The mesh base means there is no mess inside the box housing to collect, causing mould and mess. The mesh also provides good ventilation so the wood dries out better, making the wooden box part last many years. A good shelf in front of the feeder is better, so the squirrels have enough space to sit comfortably and a good platform to push the lid up from. A large jar holds about 2kgs of nuts and needs to have a big enough opening for a squirrel to get it's head in easily. They don't chew the jars either. If you have 2 jars, when filling it takes seconds to take the old one out and put the new one in. Worry about the stuff that is left later, or just top it up and use it to replenish another feeder.

I love this idea and while I already have 2 metal ones out there working, I am going to build a couple of these jar feeders. I have some 'Nutella' jars that had a load of mini jars inside each one. You can also get food jars that are suitable for next to nothing. Armour the front of your feeder, or site it so that you are shooting side on to the platform, to avoid smashing your jar with a pass through! I am sure there will be other details to come out, but that is the crux of what I have been advised - oh and the glass jar in the wooden box with ventilation from the mesh doesn't get condensation causing the food to go off either - so the food will remain fresh for longer. nothing likes eating stale food, they might be forced to in dire circumstances, but it isn't best practice. Nice, fresh food will always be more attractive.

 

[Dr B]

I have been given a great tip for building a feeder. It results in them NOT chewing the wood whatsoever. Standard flip-top design, like a bird nesting box, with a gently sloping 'roof' that is hinged at the back and has enough of an overhang they can lift it easily. Where this advice differs is in the base of the food chamber, it uses wire mesh not flat wood. "Oh, but the food will fall through", I hear you cry. It won't if you use a large, glass jar as the food store inside the wooden box. The beauty of this is, it is easy to take the jar out and wash it. The wooden housing has had NO contact with the food, so doesn't get any scent soaked into it - the squirrels don't chew it. The mesh base means there is no mess inside the box housing to collect, causing mould and mess. The mesh also provides good ventilation so the wood dries out better, making the wooden box part last many years. A good shelf in front of the feeder is better, so the squirrels have enough space to sit comfortably and a good platform to push the lid up from. A large jar holds about 2kgs of nuts and needs to have a big enough opening for a squirrel to get it's head in easily. They don't chew the jars either. If you have 2 jars, when filling it takes seconds to take the old one out and put the new one in. Worry about the stuff that is left later, or just top it up and use it to replenish another feeder.

I love this idea and while I already have 2 metal ones out there working, I am going to build a couple of these jar feeders. I have some 'Nutella' jars that had a load of mini jars inside each one. You can also get food jars that are suitable for next to nothing. Armour the front of your feeder, or site it so that you are shooting side on to the platform, to avoid smashing your jar with a pass through! I am sure there will be other details to come out, but that is the crux of what I have been advised - oh and the glass jar in the wooden box with ventilation from the mesh doesn't get condensation causing the food to go off either - so the food will remain fresh for longer. nothing likes eating stale food, they might be forced to in dire circumstances, but it isn't best practice. Nice, fresh food will always be more attractive.

Dont bother buddy - its an utterly flawed concept and I know the person behind it. He kindly sent me one once. First, its far too small. In my woods, a 'jar' would be empty in a day or two. Second, it was the only feeder I've ever used where the peanuts went mouldy in a week. Third, the mesh base just means the greys come into the base and will chew the bottom of it or feed at the bottom and this negatively impacts shooting angle and opportunity. Forth, I spoke to the guy behind these and gave him some suggestions for tweaks. He was very defensive and didn't want to know. I dont think he really shoots large woodlands or what you might call true grey infestations. It's flawed IMO and I didnt bother with another one (too small, and they come to feed at the bottom not the flip-top). Fine for old ladies gardens and little else.

A basic wooden flip-top, properly designed (and dare I say - placed) also does not get condensation. It has way larger capacity, I've spoken at length on here about the size of the platform, so nothing new, and I've also mentioned on here about using a perspex liner for exactly the same reason re ease of cleaning (and Im using those at the moment in some places) - but in fact a sealed wooden feeder (chemically sealed) can be just wiped down with appropriate disinfectant and no need for any liner inside because any pox cannot penetrate the wood (its sealed and the pox virus cannot penetrate the seal, so it just runs / wipes off. The wooden feeder just needs a double-dip in the sealant and you're good to go). Best of luck with it my friend, but my advice, move along stick with your metal feeders, or get a decent and well designed flip-top - but not those jar feeders based on incorrect assumptions and small scale.

 

[Accuspell]

Dont bother buddy - its an utterly flawed concept and I know the person behind it. He kindly sent me one once. First, its far too small. In my woods, a 'jar' would be empty in a day or two. Second, it was the only feeder I've ever used where the peanuts went mouldy in a week. Third, the mesh base just means the greys come into the base and will chew the bottom of it or feed at the bottom and this negatively impacts shooting angle and opportunity. Forth, I spoke to the guy behind these and gave him some suggestions for tweaks. He was very defensive and didn't want to know. I dont think he really shoots large woodlands or what you might call true grey infestations. It's flawed IMO and I didnt bother with another one (too small, and they come to feed at the bottom not the flip-top). Fine for old ladies gardens and little else.

A basic wooden flip-top, properly designed (and dare I say - placed) also does not get condensation. It has way larger capacity, I've spoken at length on here about the size of the platform, so nothing new, and I've also mentioned on here about using a perspex liner for exactly the same reason re ease of cleaning (and Im using those at the moment in some places) - but in fact a sealed wooden feeder (chemically sealed) can be just wiped down with appropriate disinfectant and no need for any liner inside because any pox cannot penetrate the wood (its sealed and the pox virus cannot penetrate the seal, so it just runs / wipes off. The wooden feeder just needs a double-dip in the sealant and you're good to go). Best of luck with it my friend, but my advice, move along stick with your metal feeders, or get a decent and well designed flip-top - but not those jar feeders based on incorrect assumptions and small scale.

Thank you!

 

[Dr B]

Thank you!

Oh, and they're built out of softwood - will get chewed to fook in very little time at certain times of the year (and the softwood is not even treated......). Squirrel pox can infect the outside even if there is a jar on the inside. Its a D- from me........

Not to mention the metal hinge, which just lets all the rain down into the feeder through the gap between the lid and the back of it....... It needs a full material (DCM / DPM) hinge to weather-proof the contents

 

[Accuspell]

Oh, and they're built out of softwood - will get chewed to fook in very little time at certain times of the year (and the softwood is not even treated......). Squirrel pox can infect the outside even if there is a jar on the inside. Its a D- from me........

Not to mention the metal hinge, which just lets all the rain down into the feeder through the gap between the lid and the back of it....... It needs a full material (DCM / DPM) hinge to weather-proof the contents

I wasn't going to buy one of his. I was going to use a jar that will hold about 2kgs of nuts, inside a marine ply box with a flip lid, using a car inner tube rubber for the hinge. I also have seat belt webbing I could use then cover that with the rubber if inner tube isn't good enough.
I liked the idea of the easy clean aspect.

This is the jar I had in mind, JSB Exact (500) tin inside to give an idea of size. It is 7 inches high and 6 inches in diameter - not a jam jar! It will hold about 2kgs of peanuts. The entrance hole, which would be at the top, not side on, is 5 inches diameter.



BUT - if you say it will make the nuts go mouldy very quickly I will shelve the idea and just make a standard wooden flip top out of the same hardwood marine ply, just a bit smaller. Does it NEED the perspex front window? Metal ones will be kept in action for the time being, but I do need to paint them in the summer!

 

[Dr B]

I wasn't going to buy one of his. I was going to use a jar that will hold about 2kgs of nuts, inside a marine ply box with a flip lid, using a car inner tube rubber for the hinge. I also have seat belt webbing I could use then cover that with the rubber if inner tube isn't good enough.
I liked the idea of the easy clean aspect.

This is the jar I had in mind, JSB Exact (500) tin inside to give an idea of size. It is 7 inches high and 6 inches in diameter - not a jam jar! It will hold about 2kgs of peanuts. The entrance hole, which would be at the top, not side on, is 5 inches diameter.

View attachment 848187

BUT - if you say it will make the nuts go mouldy very quickly I will shelve the idea and just make a standard wooden flip top out of the same hardwood marine ply, just a bit smaller. Does it NEED the perspex front window? Metal ones will be kept in action for the time being, but I do need to paint them in the summer!

Ah I see - sounds a better way to go then than that chaps one. The mouldy issue was to do with his wooden feeder design, so if you are building your own, that should be fine. Use a material hinge on a flip top to stop moisture / rain penetrating into the food store. Damp course material is very good. Fold it a few times and screw it into place as per the images above in the thread.

Best of luck. Def a better idea than that fella on't net!!!!

 

[Womble-With-a-Rifle]

I have been given a great tip for building a feeder. It results in them NOT chewing the wood whatsoever. Standard flip-top design, like a bird nesting box, with a gently sloping 'roof' that is hinged at the back and has enough of an overhang they can lift it easily. Where this advice differs is in the base of the food chamber, it uses wire mesh not flat wood. "Oh, but the food will fall through", I hear you cry. It won't if you use a large, glass jar as the food store inside the wooden box. The beauty of this is, it is easy to take the jar out and wash it. The wooden housing has had NO contact with the food, so doesn't get any scent soaked into it - the squirrels don't chew it. The mesh base means there is no mess inside the box housing to collect, causing mould and mess. The mesh also provides good ventilation so the wood dries out better, making the wooden box part last many years. A good shelf in front of the feeder is better, so the squirrels have enough space to sit comfortably and a good platform to push the lid up from. A large jar holds about 2kgs of nuts and needs to have a big enough opening for a squirrel to get it's head in easily. They don't chew the jars either. If you have 2 jars, when filling it takes seconds to take the old one out and put the new one in. Worry about the stuff that is left later, or just top it up and use it to replenish another feeder.

I love this idea and while I already have 2 metal ones out there working, I am going to build a couple of these jar feeders. I have some 'Nutella' jars that had a load of mini jars inside each one. You can also get food jars that are suitable for next to nothing. Armour the front of your feeder, or site it so that you are shooting side on to the platform, to avoid smashing your jar with a pass through! I am sure there will be other details to come out, but that is the crux of what I have been advised - oh and the glass jar in the wooden box with ventilation from the mesh doesn't get condensation causing the food to go off either - so the food will remain fresh for longer. nothing likes eating stale food, they might be forced to in dire circumstances, but it isn't best practice. Nice, fresh food will always be more attractive.

Cracking good post I do something similar with rodent mesh
I cover the lid with it and instead of the Perspex window that some use up here ( coz to me that’s a daft idea) I put the mesh across the front
But you have given me a good idea about the mesh floor
The other thing I have used to discourage the tree rats from noshing the wood is to give the outside a light coat of wood preserver
You don’t see many Squizzys eating fences
And I use spiced aniseed oil —it’s like ringing the dinner bell especialy with chopped up conkers mixed in

 

[scope]

I have been given a great tip for building a feeder. It results in them NOT chewing the wood whatsoever. Standard flip-top design, like a bird nesting box, with a gently sloping 'roof' that is hinged at the back and has enough of an overhang they can lift it easily. Where this advice differs is in the base of the food chamber, it uses wire mesh not flat wood. "Oh, but the food will fall through", I hear you cry. It won't if you use a large, glass jar as the food store inside the wooden box. The beauty of this is, it is easy to take the jar out and wash it. The wooden housing has had NO contact with the food, so doesn't get any scent soaked into it - the squirrels don't chew it. The mesh base means there is no mess inside the box housing to collect, causing mould and mess. The mesh also provides good ventilation so the wood dries out better, making the wooden box part last many years. A good shelf in front of the feeder is better, so the squirrels have enough space to sit comfortably and a good platform to push the lid up from. A large jar holds about 2kgs of nuts and needs to have a big enough opening for a squirrel to get it's head in easily. They don't chew the jars either. If you have 2 jars, when filling it takes seconds to take the old one out and put the new one in. Worry about the stuff that is left later, or just top it up and use it to replenish another feeder.

I love this idea and while I already have 2 metal ones out there working, I am going to build a couple of these jar feeders. I have some 'Nutella' jars that had a load of mini jars inside each one. You can also get food jars that are suitable for next to nothing. Armour the front of your feeder, or site it so that you are shooting side on to the platform, to avoid smashing your jar with a pass through! I am sure there will be other details to come out, but that is the crux of what I have been advised - oh and the glass jar in the wooden box with ventilation from the mesh doesn't get condensation causing the food to go off either - so the food will remain fresh for longer. nothing likes eating stale food, they might be forced to in dire circumstances, but it isn't best practice. Nice, fresh food will always be more attractive.

we line our feeders with a plastic milk bottle, cut the bottom off, open the cap end up a bit to help it flow out easier, think it helps stop the food going off and last longer. we also make the jar feeders which works ok.

 

[scope]

I have been given a great tip for building a feeder. It results in them NOT chewing the wood whatsoever. Standard flip-top design, like a bird nesting box, with a gently sloping 'roof' that is hinged at the back and has enough of an overhang they can lift it easily. Where this advice differs is in the base of the food chamber, it uses wire mesh not flat wood. "Oh, but the food will fall through", I hear you cry. It won't if you use a large, glass jar as the food store inside the wooden box. The beauty of this is, it is easy to take the jar out and wash it. The wooden housing has had NO contact with the food, so doesn't get any scent soaked into it - the squirrels don't chew it. The mesh base means there is no mess inside the box housing to collect, causing mould and mess. The mesh also provides good ventilation so the wood dries out better, making the wooden box part last many years. A good shelf in front of the feeder is better, so the squirrels have enough space to sit comfortably and a good platform to push the lid up from. A large jar holds about 2kgs of nuts and needs to have a big enough opening for a squirrel to get it's head in easily. They don't chew the jars either. If you have 2 jars, when filling it takes seconds to take the old one out and put the new one in. Worry about the stuff that is left later, or just top it up and use it to replenish another feeder.

I love this idea and while I already have 2 metal ones out there working, I am going to build a couple of these jar feeders. I have some 'Nutella' jars that had a load of mini jars inside each one. You can also get food jars that are suitable for next to nothing. Armour the front of your feeder, or site it so that you are shooting side on to the platform, to avoid smashing your jar with a pass through! I am sure there will be other details to come out, but that is the crux of what I have been advised - oh and the glass jar in the wooden box with ventilation from the mesh doesn't get condensation causing the food to go off either - so the food will remain fresh for longer. nothing likes eating stale food, they might be forced to in dire circumstances, but it isn't best practice. Nice, fresh food will always be more attractive.

we line our feeders with a plastic milk bottle, cut the bottom off, open the cap end up a bit to help it flow out easier, think it helps stop the food going off and last longer.

 

[Glam69]

I’ve just put some monkey nuts in my squirrel feeder and sprinkled a little aniseed spiced oil over them, let’s see if I have any luck in attracting them to my garden.