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Bird feeder repair?

Rob LockwoodRob Lockwood Posts: 380
in Wildlife gardening

Aftermath of squirrel (and possibly rat) action on cage bird feeder!  Has anyone tried to replace the inner tube bit before and if so, have they got any advice as to how to do so (or Youtube videos etc?)

Note: these cage feeders have generally worked in protecting food against the squirrels - think one just got over-zealous this winter :):smiley:

Posts

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Possibly a piece of plastic pipe if you can get anything of the correct diameter.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited 6 March
    Do the grey bits with the perches attached come off the central green bits?
    You might be better buying a cheap feeder and putting it inside the cage
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    It's similar to, but not the same as, my bird feeder from - I think - CJBirdfood.  The "ports" on mine are joined together on either side of the tube with a nut and bolt through the middle, making it possible to empty and clean the tube.  But buying a new tube may be the difficult bit:  my seed feeder tube became brittle over winter and cracked between the feeding ports.  I mended it with waterproof tape but really want to replace it - however, the suppliers say they will only sell the complete thing, not just the polycarbonate tube.  I told them I thought that was undermining their green credentials, but it hasn't changed anything.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Rob LockwoodRob Lockwood Posts: 380
    Thanks all - a few options there.  Even though they're pretty cheap (picked up a similar cage feeder just the other day from Lidl for a fiver), like many gardeners nowadays (possibly always) I baulk at throwing anything away that's useable (viz, the cage), especially if it can give the birds another choice of feeder :)
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Buy a cheap feeder and take the tube off? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The problem with those 'so called squirrel proof' cages is - they aren't, and that's the inevitable problem. 
    I made purpose built cages for my feeders because of that - similar to an indoor birdcage,  and although they need attention now and again because of the aforementioned vermin attempting to get in, and chewing the outer wood supports,  they can't reach the feeders, so it's easier to keep them sound. I'm replacing the wood supports with metal this year though. Leftover piping from an old plastic greenhouse will be getting re used.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BluejaywayBluejayway Posts: 392
    If you have your feeders on a pole then a coating of grease on the pole might be enough to deter squirrels, it's worked so far here.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I think it would be less hassle all round to just buy a whole new feeder!!!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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