I built this bird feeder using a hand-start 2-cylinder John
Deere tractor flywheel for the base. About 30 inches up the center
post, I rolled a piece of polished aluminum into an inverted funnel
and pop-riveted it to the post. It is so slick that squirrels
cannot climb it.
The main feeder is a no. 91 John Deere chain-driven fertilizer
control almost fully open, it handles larger birdseed really well.
It even cracks corn as you turn the sprocket. Rotating the sprocket
either way a couple of revolutions is enough for a day’s
feeding.
Under the box is a removable tray that catches the seed. It can
be taken out and cleaned when needed.
On the sides, I have two pieces of hollow oak tree trunks
hanging, filled with small seed that flows to the half-round oak
that I have bolted to the bottom. Another half-round on top keeps
out rain and snow.
Placed on top of the hangers on one side, I have a suet box and
on the other I have a sunflower head full of seed the birds can
peck at. On top of the fertilizer box I have a baby chick waterer
laying horizontal with a series of holes drilled in it. It is clear
plastic and I put kernel corn, peanuts and sunflower seeds in the
jar. A gas welding rod pierces through the top and out the bottom,
and another one through the water bowl is long enough to hold a
half ear of corn on each end. Then I built a stand with a tray
underneath to catch the seed. The chick waterer rotates freely when
the birds land on the ears of corn or peck at them, spilling seed
on the tray below.
I have had a lot of fun building it and watching the birds feed.
I think I have had most every bird in the whole county come for a
visit.
– Bill Moore
P.O. Box 273
Sedalia, CO 80135
