BUILD A BIRD FEEDER

Here is a method I use to make a feeder. It is simple and easy. I don't worry as to it being perfect, just efficient.
These type feeders mimic eating on the ground, but of course much safer for the birds as they are on a pole.
These things are expensive to purchase, but not if you make them. You can save a bundle to spend on bird food and beer. As a plus you can size them to fit your needs.

Here is a nice store bought one that is getting too much traffic and needs to be larger.
One thing as to most store bought is they don't have enough roof overhang to keep the food more dry. Another is some do not drain from the bottom. If we make our own, we can correct all that.

I believe one 12X18 inches would be about right for this spot. You can adjust what I do here to any size you need.
I prefer cedar due to it being very light. Lowes sells it cheap. This feeder will weigh little. That can be important if you are on a ladder at my age.

You will need some roof boards. Mine are tongue and groove cut to 30". No caulk or sealing will be needed with these, so buy "tongue and groove".

You will need 8 frame boards. I used 1/2X1. Four are cut to 20" and four to 12".

You will need 4 roof supports. Two I cut at 12" and two at 10" so the roof will slant.

You will need 3 roof braces, cut to ever how wide your roof is.

You will need a piece of hardware cloth and a piece of fiberglass screen cut to what ever size your floor is. You will know that size after "step one".

--Step1 -- tack (I use deck screws) the lower frame together.

--Step2 -- attach the hardware cloth. I use a few staples to hold it in place.

--Step3 -- attach the fiberglass screen.

--Step4 -- tack on the upper frame.

--Step5 -- attach the roof supports.

--Step6 -- tack a middle support to the roof.

--Step7 -- use the other two supports to attach the roof to the frame.

I painted this one, but you might prefer natural or a clear stain.

Here it is mounted, need to paint the mounts. I think it is a big upgrade from the store bought one in the first photo and cost about a third of that one.