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Squirrel & pigeon proof bird feeder cages DIY (using hanging baskets).

Boothy99
20/11/2019 09:46

I thought I'd share the instructions for the feeder cages I made for my suspended feeder & tray feeder. Someone might find them handy and somewhat cheaper (around £5 - £8 per cage) than the ready made ones. They work perfectly -so far- to keep the squirrels and pigeons off. I'd searched everywhere to find some baskets large enough to be useful, and only found suitable ones at Wickes DIY. I'm sure there'll be more elsewhere in-season in summer.

I've not entirely starved the unwanted critters as there are other feeders in the garden they're ok to take from ;-) 

Video of a squirrel having a hard time, here ....  photos.app.goo.gl/jHJyKCTnx9kZoVdy8

How to make the cages.....

Two 14 inch hanging baskets for the tall feeder with x2 cable ties holding it together - only at the top, so it's easy to open it at the bottom, slide it up and off to top-up the feeder. Don't pinch the ties too tight or it'll be difficult to release the cage from the feeder hoop (best to attach the ties with feeder hoop in place).

Two 12 inch baskets and parts of the supplied chains to suspend around the tray-feeder. Again, just two cable ties to hold the cage together as a hinge.

Removable chain links & clips used to support the base of the tray-feeder so that the lower cage doesn't drop down.

I used the chain clips with two links either side; three links to the far end, to suspend the bottom cage from the edge of the tray.

Best to add the clips & links to the feed tray before you attach the top cage, to make it easier to fiddle about and get the bottom cage to hang reasonably level.

  • 04/07/2021 20:00
    Hi Boothy99
    I found your hack with the baskets and put it to use as we had a double feeder which was getting mugged by pigeons. After a few months I discovered that sliding the basket up and off to fill up, the reverse operation of putting the feeder back in the basket and trying to catch the feeder hanger between the cable ties was rather fiddly.
    So I turned the basket upside down, cable ties at the bottom, and I now use two cords with the ends slipped through a bight on either side of the hanger. One end of each cord is knotted to give extra bite. Any type of corded loop should do.
    So now, I lift the cage and feeder to the ground, slip the cords out, the basket falls open and the feeder is ready to top up. Next, close the basket, slip the cords back in and re-hang.
    Now I'm being mugged by pigeons.
    MalcH
  • 04/07/2021 20:16
    Nice tip for the adaptation MalcH ThumbsupOk hand
    Hope you're not pigeon - pecked Joy
  • 24/07/2023 10:20
    Got 2 from Wilko for 3 quid a pop. Two cable ties securing them together around the hanger at the top, re-used the clip from the chain to secure the bottom. Works like a charm for pigeons but holes big enough for squirrel to climb in and help himself. Not panicked, when my ghost chilli powder arrives today the squirrel probably won't pop back for a meal anytime soon (only mammals have pain receptors triggered by capsicum).

    Thanks for this ingenious DIY solution, it actually looks really nice too. Small birds were cautious for a few days but now are dancing around the cage, little ninjas :)