How to Make ● A Unique Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder ( that actually works ! )

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 26 чер 2023
  • This is a unique squirrel proof bird feeder that's made from a steel fence pipe! Easy to make and saves you money. It allows birds to enter to get to the bird seed but prevents squirrels from getting to the seeds. This squirrel proof bird feeder is easy to fill and very easy to clean. With it being made with pipe, this bird feeder is see-through so watching birds in your yard will become even more entertaining as the squirrels attempt to get to the bird seed and fail.
    USA
    ● De-Burring Tool .... amzn.to/3qWdsem
    ● Self Igniting Propane Torch .... amzn.to/3CPFE5t
    ● Water Based Varathane .... amzn.to/44p3WiB
    ● Razor Scraper .... amzn.to/441orll
    ● HackSaw .... amzn.to/3NuwNLd
    ● Squeeze Clamp .... amzn.to/3NQX8Va
    ● Drill Bits .... amzn.to/3NMRXps
    ● Automatic Centre Punch .... amzn.to/3Jx7TJX
    ● The Great Little Camera I Used Inside the BirdFeeder .... amzn.to/3CRZBZr
    CANADA
    ● De-Burring Tool .... amzn.to/3pmUKw4
    ● Self Igniting Propane Torch .... amzn.to/3NLfRl7
    ● Water Based Varathane .... Local Hardware Store
    ● Razor Scraper .... amzn.to/3NN8Wbe
    ● HackSaw .... amzn.to/3JAPAU2
    ● Squeeze Clamp .... amzn.to/3CPX6XC
    ● Drill Bits .... amzn.to/46qrPb3
    ● Automatic Centre Punch .... amzn.to/3JyW4Tx
    ● The Great Little Camera I Used Inside the BirdFeeder .... amzn.to/3XvgUZW
    or MY STORE
    ● www.amazon.com/shop/chrisnotap
    ● www.amazon.ca/shop/chrisnotap
    Full Transparency! A small portion of each sale goes from Amazon's pocket to my pocket with no additional cost to you! Thanks for your support. It's very much appreciated!
    Music: Coconuts by MBB / mbbofficial
    Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0
    Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/2vear96
    Music promoted by Audio Library • Coconuts - MBB (No Cop...
    Music: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos
    License code: 6XMUGIJ37NGPQ2FW
  • Навчання та стиль

КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,4 тис.

  • @boots7859
    @boots7859 11 місяців тому +652

    I saw 3 squirrels last summer wherein 1 had somehow made it onto an isolated feeder by dropping 20' from a tree. There were 2 other squirrels on the ground below it while it shoveled out seeds. That squirrel accomplished Mission Impossible and lives as a legend in those parts to this day.

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +42

      Lol! That's crazy!!

    • @JeredtheShy
      @JeredtheShy 11 місяців тому +39

      Squirrels, uh, find a way.

    • @mikedunn7795
      @mikedunn7795 11 місяців тому +12

      That squirrel must have been plenty sore when he hit the feeder. My feeder is surrounded by mature elm trees,and I have never seen a squirrel drop any distance onto the feeder. They try to get up by climbing the feeder pole,but I have a squirrel baffle,and that stops them cold.

    • @consciousobjector2507
      @consciousobjector2507 11 місяців тому +9

      *Nothing* surprises me with those scoundrels!

    • @ninab0bina
      @ninab0bina 11 місяців тому +7

      Omg this is so funny 😂 what a legend!!

  • @ima-goodgirl
    @ima-goodgirl 5 місяців тому +175

    It shouldn’t tickle me so much to see the squirrels frustrated, but as a person that’s fed far more squirrels than birds over the years, I’m going to try to live with this personality flaw. Ingenious bird feeder Sir!

    • @TheKomentor
      @TheKomentor 3 місяці тому

      Are bigger birds like crows able to get the feed? Or is it that this is only for small birds?

    • @michaellynch1132
      @michaellynch1132 3 місяці тому +7

      @@TheKomentor A crow is a fairly large bird and will have a body larger than a squirrel. AT 13:47 you can see what I think is a black bird (not a crow) and it appears to be too large to get into the holes. Ravens are even larger than crows.
      However, there are cardinals and other small birds that are enjoying the feeder. I think this is a reasonable trade off considering that there is no feeding of squirrels.

    • @cadaverdoggs421
      @cadaverdoggs421 3 місяці тому +3

      @@TheKomentor you can always do an open feeder for the bigger animals. If you feed crows you feed squirrels there isn't much way around it. This feeder supplies your smaller songbirds, I like to do a bar for the bigger critters and a seed feeder for the smaller ones

    • @ewe392
      @ewe392 2 місяці тому

      @@michaellynch1132 and if course you can always have a diverse collection of feeders

  • @cybercifrado
    @cybercifrado 4 місяці тому +41

    This is far simpler and more elegant than Mark Rober's attempt. Well done, sir!

  • @bop5277
    @bop5277 2 місяці тому +12

    Chris you are a genius! First bird feeder I've ever felt like I can easily make that is worth my time and effort, because it actually works! Love this beautiful piece of art! Thank you:)
    BOP

  • @trustablerolin
    @trustablerolin 11 місяців тому +132

    And because of you, the squirrels grow longer arms now! 🤣

    • @TheGuitarReb
      @TheGuitarReb 4 місяці тому +7

      It's called evolution.

    • @geraldlewis6265
      @geraldlewis6265 4 місяці тому +1

      So much easier to add a glass bowl shaped like a ships rat guard that only costs a few bucks to the support pole below the feeder. Problem solved completely.

    • @Bigtbuilder
      @Bigtbuilder 3 місяці тому +5

      Only if the feeder is placed far enough away from anything they can jump from or drop onto from.

    • @rongarza9488
      @rongarza9488 3 місяці тому +2

      And thumbs!

    • @rdaalways2286
      @rdaalways2286 3 місяці тому +1

      😂🤣

  • @PhilmannDark
    @PhilmannDark 11 місяців тому +298

    One tiny improvement: Make the basin inside even smaller but add a wooden sitting rail on the glass. Put a box inside (no top or bottom, just four sides). Leave a small (about 0.3-07 in) gap at the bottom (use screws in the corners or wood to create the gap or cut out low arches). The box should be about two inches smaller than the basin. You can then fill the box with seeds. The seeds will spill out through the gaps. This way, the birds can't sit in the food and spoil it with their wastes.

    • @keithjohnson5190
      @keithjohnson5190 11 місяців тому +24

      He could just sit another bird feeder inside of it, just a mason jar or two like they use for chickens.

    • @dawsie
      @dawsie 11 місяців тому +16

      Thanks for that tip, I’m for ever having to clean ours out because of the larger birds but that gives me an idea of adding the water dispenser as well for the smaller birds. The best part is the Indian miner birds won’t fit through the rings so this will stop them from cleaning out the bird feeder as well.
      15 years ago there were non in our area now there are almost 50 in this area alone. 50 plus years ago some idiot released them down in Melbourne and now the can be found almost to the Top-end of Australia.

    • @Q..J..
      @Q..J.. 11 місяців тому +8

      I’ve had platform feeders for nearly 10 years now and there has never been any bird poop in them.

    • @thelunatick1993
      @thelunatick1993 11 місяців тому +8

      If they do poop where they are eat or sleep they are not going to mind it.
      Unless confined. Most animals do not poop where they eat or sleep.

    • @consciousobjector2507
      @consciousobjector2507 11 місяців тому +3

      Why don't you build one and show us since you have so many ideas?😁

  • @sitori663
    @sitori663 11 місяців тому +26

    This has got to be the only true squirrel proof bird feeder I have ever seen. Chipmunks could still get in, though. 😊 Great job! It's beautiful looking, too.

    • @cubertmiso
      @cubertmiso 10 місяців тому +2

      true. but now birds poo inside. so you need to revision 2. it is out there. i can think about couple options so you can maybe more.

    • @tomhorsley6566
      @tomhorsley6566 10 місяців тому +5

      Chipmunks tend to stay on the ground, they don't climb as much as squirrels. On the other hand a red squirrel might fit, they are smaller.

    • @jameemaree4602
      @jameemaree4602 Місяць тому

      @@cubertmiso would some kind of mesh (or heck tulle is even cheaper) keep out the poop? I haven’t made one yet so figured I’d ask

    • @cubertmiso
      @cubertmiso Місяць тому

      @@jameemaree4602 Sure, it helps, but the video maker is solving old problems by creating new ones. These birds are lightweight, so redesigning the feeder to accommodate them is somewhat unnecessary. Instead, the feeder should utilize gravity and centrifugal force against squirrels and larger birds.
      Then, the feeder should have a slot that collects any flying seeds, so there's no way for squirrels to game the system by using it's weight.

  • @BrownEyedGirl640
    @BrownEyedGirl640 11 місяців тому +40

    Both of the designs are GREAT, but I really think I like your first design better! Of course the second is more refined and probably holds more food, but I'm a bird WATCHER first, so the first design lends itself more toward that to me. Thanks for sharing both of them!!

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +15

      Thanks for that great feedback! I have a second design in mind for the first version, the one you like, that would use stainless steel instead of copper.

    • @BrownEyedGirl640
      @BrownEyedGirl640 10 місяців тому +4

      @@chrisnotap Can't wait to see it!

    • @rdaalways2286
      @rdaalways2286 3 місяці тому +1

      @@chrisnotapbetter patent that! I would because it works.

    • @rdaalways2286
      @rdaalways2286 3 місяці тому +1

      @@chrisnotap I’d use plexiglass too instead of glass? Just in case a limb were to drop on it.

    • @rdaalways2286
      @rdaalways2286 3 місяці тому

      @@chrisnotap Stainless steel is good in that it never rusts and looks good all year.
      Copper is pretty if you are going for a patina look. 👍🏻

  • @Woodstock271
    @Woodstock271 11 місяців тому +65

    Really love that design! Very unique and cool looking.
    I spent a few years building bird houses that looked like rustic cabins in miniature, as a hobby. Very time consuming, cutting every cedar shingle and glueing them one by one in a staggered pattern just as in proper roofing. Stained and sealed for weather, elaborate moldings and trim-work completed the illusion that the bird houses were actual full-size houses, just seen from a distance.
    I gave a few away to neighbors for Christmas and one of them said I should start selling these bird houses since they were so cool.
    A carpenter by trade, I was just building miniature cabins for birds and would rather give them away than sell them.
    Ever the “businessman”, my neighbor asked how much these bird houses were worth if I sold them?
    I asked, “To the birds? Zero dollars. To the people? Just a smile is all I want.”
    He pressed on, thinking somehow money could be made here? (I’m sure he wanted to be my promoter and take a cut of the fortune.)
    He asked, “How much did you spend on materials?” Good question. All I really bought in a store was glue, stain, varnish, and a few dowels here and there, so $50 dollars would last me a hundred birdhouse builds. He nodded excitedly. “Okay, how much time in labor for each one?” We sat and had a couple beers in my shop as I did the math.
    “Okay, since these are rustic cabin copies, I get most of my wood from fallen branches in the woods. I hike and stumble across a perfect fallen tree with a perfect natural knot hole in it, so let’s charge the customer my gas money and time, even though I’d do this for free. Then I’ll mill every branch to look like a log, mortise and tenon the joints to look authentic. Build miniature deck furniture that looks real and weathered, which takes far longer than building it full-size and brand new. Little details like moldings have to be carved and milled by hand and it takes hours. I’m not about to clock in my time for this and stick to a schedule. That’s when an art of love turns into actual “work”. So based on my labor at $45 dollars per hour and one of these birdhouses consuming 40 hours or so, I guess I’d price each birdhouse at $1800- to $2000 dollars.”
    He frowned, “Nobody’s gonna pay that much for a birdhouse!”
    I laughed, “Ya think? That’s why I give them away. It’s a labor of love my friend. A smile from receiving one of my works of art has no monetary value. It’s value is priceless to me.”
    His whole idea of this being a “business venture” was ludicrous from the start and I kept making these bird houses and giving them away, each one being cooler than the last one.
    Pretty soon, I was getting more into detail like carving a banjo out of wood and leaning it against the front porch wall as if this cabin was still inhabited by humans. Birds wouldn’t notice or care but people liked the touches like miniature tools laying around and signs above the entry hole saying, “Room for rent”. Lots of people were so impressed with the detail that they wouldn’t put them outside for the birds and in the weather, but instead hang them from the ceiling or put them on a shelf in the living room as art.
    I guess that’s what I was hoping for all along.
    Sorry for the long story, I really like your squirrel-resistant bird feeder here. Very open to the birds and frustrating for the squirrels who’d definitely steal all the birdseed given the chance. Did you ever wonder what you could sell these for? Or did you just have fun creating it and solving a problem. I’m sure my old neighbor would be interested in you starting a business for no good reason.
    Ignore him and have fun. Great channel. Just subscribed.

    • @activatedcharcoal
      @activatedcharcoal 11 місяців тому +8

      This story was delightful!

    • @Woodstock271
      @Woodstock271 11 місяців тому +12

      @@activatedcharcoal, Thank you. My old neighbor was a flea market guy and took one of the birdhouses I made for him, to the flea market to sell along with all the other crap he tried to sell. He was one of those guys who had no appreciation or respect for a gift, but try to sell it for money. He wasn’t poor, he was just lame and greedy.
      He came back and said he sold my gift to him for $500 dollars. I told him he got ripped off. He frowned, “But I got it for free and made $500 bucks!”
      Yeah, he never understood.
      Take care and be safe my friend.

    • @kevins4611
      @kevins4611 5 місяців тому +2

      Wow Sean! That is a labor of love! And, sounds like wonderful works of art. Maybe you'll be the next Van Gogh? Either way, awesome story! It really tells a lot about someone's character who gets more satisfaction out of hiking, building, & making people smile than thinking about the money aspect of it. 👍♥️

    • @maryweisenbacher1034
      @maryweisenbacher1034 4 місяці тому +2

      I think we would all love to see some photos. Your birdhouses sound absolutely amazing!

    • @umiluv
      @umiluv 4 місяці тому +4

      @@Woodstock271 - wow. Some ppl really don’t understand.
      I make felt embroidery stockings by hand. Mats cost $25-30 (I buy a kit) but it takes me like 2 months to do them. My first and most intricate one I did took 3 months. I did a mermaid and her entire tail was sequin embroidery with the fin being all bead embroidery. Her tail alone took 3 weeks lol.
      I gave it to my sister. It was customized to have her name on the stocking and my artist signature. It is priceless to me and thankfully to her. I’m glad I get to see it when I visit.
      I hope to one day make my own felt embroidery creations without a kit but I currently have kids so I don’t have that much time. But I’m compelled to sew (if I don’t sew or crochet, I get depressed) so I use the kits. There’s still a bit of personal flourish on how you embroider and piece the pattern together so I still feel like I’m using my artistic eye even if it is a kit.
      Just wanted to say thanks for the story and sorry about your neighbor that sold your art that was a gift. My mom sold stuff at a flea market as well but she would never sell one of kind pieces. She kept that kind of stuff for herself.

  • @atomiccracker
    @atomiccracker 11 місяців тому +30

    you have to admire the determination of Squirrels.

    • @InappropriateShorts
      @InappropriateShorts 4 місяці тому +3

      he’s hungry. nature is wild.

    • @stevenbryant4718
      @stevenbryant4718 4 місяці тому

      You mean the ability that allows them to climb trees LOL

    • @VickiSchwarz
      @VickiSchwarz 4 місяці тому +3

      They just haven't called the Team of Squirrel engineers yet to this problem

    • @conniewojahn6445
      @conniewojahn6445 2 місяці тому +1

      Sometimes I think squirrels don't really want the food, they want to beat the challenge and they truly enjoy annoying humans.

  • @pennyacme380
    @pennyacme380 11 місяців тому +25

    This feeder is brilliant!!! Loved watching the squirrels trying to get in and lived seeing the birds enjoying the seed. Thank you for sharing 😊

    • @mariabowles5415
      @mariabowles5415 11 місяців тому

      It is indeed brilliant! Such a fabulous and ingenious idea.

    • @mjremy2605
      @mjremy2605 11 місяців тому

      LIVID, not LIVED. English is your second language?

    • @Just2dreamsaway
      @Just2dreamsaway 23 дні тому

      @@mjremy2605 I believe it was a typo, they meant "loved". Is English not your first language?

  • @RT-qd8yl
    @RT-qd8yl 4 місяці тому +44

    Now we need a bird proof squirrel feeder 🙂

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  4 місяці тому +16

      Yes you can easily! Just leave your garage door up about 2 1/2" to 3" inches and lay a pile of seed on the floor in the garage . The squirrels will enter and not the birds. Of course doing this brings on another whole set of problems with the squirrels inside your garage. This is why people try to keep them at bay since they do chew everything and can cause a lot of damage to wiring and to your house. You may have missed it but they are able to get some seeds. Just go to 11:57 in the video where I show that.

    • @rdaalways2286
      @rdaalways2286 3 місяці тому

      @@chrisnotap They also eat your vehicle wiring and anything else on it that they can. Build nests too or try to.
      Been there before and that was not fun.
      Herbal deterrents did not work.

    • @MisterCasket
      @MisterCasket Місяць тому

      There are cheap squirrel feeder houses. There's a heavy lid on top which the squirrel can lift but not birds. I have one, it's really nice.

  • @stephenbecker7164
    @stephenbecker7164 8 місяців тому +47

    Chris- instead of unbolting to fill the feeder slip some flex tube through the the pipe. Ad a wide moth funnel at the top. Pour the seed in and that’s it. Let me know your thoughts

    • @stevenbryant4718
      @stevenbryant4718 4 місяці тому +3

      rain?

    • @jpolowin0
      @jpolowin0 4 місяці тому +7

      @@stevenbryant4718 The tube isn't attached. It's inserted for filling, then removed.

    • @queenbee3647
      @queenbee3647 4 місяці тому +6

      For some fillings that idea would work. But the tray would need to be emptied regularly otherwise it would overflow with empty shells.

    • @tedrice1026
      @tedrice1026 4 місяці тому +5

      Leave one set of rings off the lower part of one end piece, except for one ring at each end. Then make the smaller tray, but without the underneath spacer sticking out the sides, and groove the base slightly so the tray just fits in and won't move when closed and in place, while blocking the gap with the missing rings. (Or you can silicone the missing rings to the tray so the end looks solid when closed.) Then you can just slide out the tray to clean and refill it.

    • @publicdomain3378
      @publicdomain3378 3 місяці тому

      @@jpolowin0 like a beer bong

  • @kmorrocco
    @kmorrocco 11 місяців тому +45

    It’s a great idea and it works very well. About three years ago I decided to make one, but I used PVC and the same adhesive you use. PVC is so much easier to cut. Only one side is PVC on my feeder. The rest is made of cedar. Opposite to the PVC side is clear plastic so the ends are cedar. So One long side is PVC, and the other long side is clear plastic. I did this to prevent the weather from blowing the seed out or from driving rain getting to the seed. You can’t keep all the rain out but my design works just fine. And the birds love it. Little birds can hop right in and the larger birds like Cardinals and Blue Jays can pop their head in and eat some seed as well, but no squirrels! And I will admit it was hilarious watching squirrels trying to get in and then giving up.

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +30

      I made my first one with ABS pipe and they chewed through it in a week!

    • @kmorrocco
      @kmorrocco 11 місяців тому +14

      @@chrisnotap Wow you must have mutant squirrels. Mine is still standing strong.
      But my PVC pieces are 1 INCH long.

    • @captainwho1
      @captainwho1 5 місяців тому

      What ID of PVC did you use? Cardinals could get inside of his.

    • @kmorrocco
      @kmorrocco 5 місяців тому +4

      @@captainwho1 In Three years I’ve only seen one cardinal get in. And it got out just fine. I used 1 1/4 Inch PVC

    • @PAHighlander24
      @PAHighlander24 4 місяці тому +3

      I used PVC pipe in mine, and the squirrels chewed through it in a few days.

  • @HowIDoThingsDIY
    @HowIDoThingsDIY 3 дні тому +2

    What an amazing idea! I wish I would have thought of this when I built mine on my channel. Mine is just a simple bird house made from a cedar fence picket. Keep up the great work and keep building cool unique things like this!

  • @anthonycardenas4616
    @anthonycardenas4616 2 місяці тому +7

    From someone who is used to squirrels being an absolute nuisance to anything bird related I have, your invention is the greatest thing ever!

  • @robertholtz
    @robertholtz 11 місяців тому +81

    I saw the original squirrel-proof video when you first posted it and now I’ve seen the new iteration. It’s a marvelously improved design. If you added some glass to the bottom row of openings, that would block most of the excess seeds from reaching the outside wooden ledge. Adding the perches was a great touch. Continued success with your videos and clever inventions.

    • @BouncingTribbles
      @BouncingTribbles 11 місяців тому +10

      I was thinking the same thing when he first removed it. Then the squirrels would learn to actually leave it alone and not scare the birds away as often

    • @ReitersBlock
      @ReitersBlock 11 місяців тому +7

      @@BouncingTribbles I suppose it depends on whether you want squirrels to go away completely, or you just don't want them to hog all the seed and empty the feeder. My sense is that Chris, like me, isn't trying to make the squirrels leave completely but rather to just keep them from hogging it all. Good suggestion though for those that would rather the squirrels move along to someplace else. Personally, I enjoy watching the squirrels play and try to figure things out but I have no interest in giving them a never-ending buffet of seed. This solution is fantastic to that end. Well done!

    • @BouncingTribbles
      @BouncingTribbles 11 місяців тому +1

      @@ReitersBlock maybe your squirrels are nicer than ours. We don't have a feeder but the squirrels are always there, they don't need the encouragement. If anything they're the ones that drive the birds away. The cats are mostly out in the evening and at night

  • @makerbotplanet
    @makerbotplanet 11 місяців тому +56

    EXCELLENT camera work! Really creative, and that design is also fantastic. Great video, thanks for sharing

  • @triggertits
    @triggertits 11 місяців тому +20

    Lol, I can feel the frustration from that poor squirrel... So close, yet that food might as well have been on the moon?! 🤣

  • @joanfurtiere1177
    @joanfurtiere1177 Місяць тому +3

    LOL.. Have to give the Squirrel top marks for trying. Excellent idea...

  • @tracybowling1156
    @tracybowling1156 11 місяців тому +30

    Hi Chris! I love your new design. I also like how the squirrels can get a small snack every once in a while. You know, because you buy it, bird seed is darn expensive!! They'd eat it all if you let 'em. Still, they are my favorite animal. They're just so smart. Just like you.

  • @anjar.3274
    @anjar.3274 4 місяці тому +10

    this is the best bird feeder I have ever seen; very good that you have also made sure that there are no sharp edges.

  • @7peacefrog
    @7peacefrog 20 днів тому +1

    I love birds and squirrels, but like for them to eat out of there own areas! Thank you for sharing this. It's really neat!

  • @federicomedinauy
    @federicomedinauy Місяць тому +3

    Now I want a bird feeder.

  • @zants_
    @zants_ 4 місяці тому +7

    Oh god, the squirrels are going to evolve long arms. They're going to be looking like Michael Phelps out there, diving for seeds. 😂

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  4 місяці тому +3

      They are actually able to get some seeds. You may have missed that part at 11:57 in the video. Just click 11:57 in this comment and it will take you right to the clip!

  • @GodKing804
    @GodKing804 11 місяців тому +18

    Bird perches were a nice touch, really made it looks like a public area for birds.

  • @eCitizen1
    @eCitizen1 23 дні тому +2

    Great design. I would never have thought to just glue it together with silicone. Good idea.

  • @toms.3977
    @toms.3977 Місяць тому +1

    That's a top-notch DIY project if I've ever seen one! Good job!

  • @drmntpibb
    @drmntpibb 11 місяців тому +6

    lmao, the squirrel sticking his face into the hole and grabbing seeds with his tongue had me rolling

  • @danobrien3695
    @danobrien3695 11 місяців тому +6

    Awesome design! It really reduces the gluttony of the squirrels...😄

  • @loubock3238
    @loubock3238 Місяць тому +1

    What a great idea, talented intelligent man, bravo!!!

  • @madeleinewood6859
    @madeleinewood6859 11 місяців тому +7

    I watched your construction of the squirrel proof box with excitement and admiration. Wonder if you would sell one of those boxes since there's no way I could build something like that at my age (81 year old retiree). Thank you. Madeleine

  • @ThierryC2373
    @ThierryC2373 11 місяців тому +19

    That is absolutely genius, there is nothing more satisfying than watching these fluffy rats struggling to steal some food!! And it also works against the big bully birds too!

    • @thomasherzog86
      @thomasherzog86 11 місяців тому +2

      enjoying to see others struggle, huh? im sure you are a great human being.

    • @troy3456789
      @troy3456789 11 місяців тому +11

      ​​​@@thomasherzog86Cris notap is struggling to feed songbirds.
      ThierryC2373 doesn't get to choose what he enjoys or what he hates any anymore than you get to choose.
      It may be important to note here that no squirrels were injured or even scared in this video. Squirrels don't struggle for survival like songbirds. Feeding squirrels [all they want] just makes more dependent squirrels, kind of like how welfare just makes more angry demanding dependent humans. It's not rocket science here

    • @LazyIRanch
      @LazyIRanch 11 місяців тому +4

      Where I live, it's not the cute fluffy-tailed tree squirrels, it's the nasty ground squirrels that are basically the same as plague rats:
      According to the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources department:
      “Ground squirrels are associated with the spread of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, rat bite fever, tularemia, Chagas’ disease, adiospiromycosis, and encephalomyocarditis. Notably, they can serve as reservoirs for sylvatic (bubonic) plague, a highly infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis…People and their pets can get plague if they visit or live in areas where ground squirrels or other rodents are infected.”
      I trap and drown the nasty things, or shoot them. I have livestock and pets I don't want infected with any of those diseases (or me either).
      I actually coexist peacefully with the 4-5 species of rattlesnakes that live on my property. They eat lots of vermin, and as long as I don't bother them, they don't bother me.
      Would the same people who think this is cruel to squirrels enjoy seeing their bird feeders overrun by rats? I don't think so!

    • @troy3456789
      @troy3456789 11 місяців тому

      @@LazyIRanch Some people are nihilists toward humans only.

    • @ThierryC2373
      @ThierryC2373 11 місяців тому +6

      @@thomasherzog86 Especially squirrels, I used to have bird feeders but these little bastards where emptying them in half a day, wasting most of the seeds on the ground I paid for the birds to enjoy. I stopped feeding wildlife, it was too expensive and not enjoyable in the end. That was in Florida, squirrels and grackle birds are just a nuisance to bird feeders, they empty them on the floor in minutes while chasing all other birds. Now, I 'm in Connecticut and I enjoy all the wildlife without the feeders, except the hummingbird feeder. Birds eat all the insects around my house and squirrels are scarse, thanks to bobcats, coyotes, foxes and eagles. Gray squirrels are better off doing what they do best: foraging on trees to regenerate the forests by planting seeds everywhere.

  • @burger1113
    @burger1113 11 місяців тому +64

    So fun to see! Love the ring design and functionality! I suppose it may not rain as much there as it does here, but I would like the bottom be mesh or something so moisture cant accumulate. Having a gravity feeder type jar or something to hang from the ceiling would be nice, too.

    • @MrTStat
      @MrTStat 11 місяців тому +13

      a possible issue with mesh the squirrel thinking it is an opening and sinking their teeth in it and getting stuck, I saw something like this happening before

    • @nuhrii3449
      @nuhrii3449 4 місяці тому

      @@MrTStat just make the hole a hole squirrels cant fit their head in, or you just raise the food tray with a bottom mesh so its still in squirrel proof wall while being open to circulation

  • @analogmatrix1442
    @analogmatrix1442 10 місяців тому +15

    Improvement tip: recess the tray “like an in-ground Pool” inside of the feeder with enough clearance so the squirrel cannot reach in and grab spill over seeds. Amazing design! Thank you for the great ideas.

    • @captainwho1
      @captainwho1 5 місяців тому

      I'm thinking a chicken wire deck at the top of the tray would allow the seeds to fall through and the squirrel might not be able to get them anymore, as long as the bottom row of entry holes was eliminated, or made very small to allow Blue Jays to still get some seeds. The deck would be removable to clean out the seeds in there.

    • @PapaLurts
      @PapaLurts 4 місяці тому +1

      @@captainwho1 I don't think the purpose is to totally deny the squirrels of seeds, but rather to stop them from shoveling it dry in a couple of days, which this one does quite well it seems.

  • @CIMaddox56
    @CIMaddox56 11 місяців тому +5

    Well I give the squirrel an A for effort. You've done a great job. I've managed to keep squirrels from getting in my feeders by using small feeders on a greased pole. I love this idea though. Be great near a window.

  • @garyjennyfrost9485
    @garyjennyfrost9485 11 місяців тому +11

    That was a very satisfying video to watch! Well done! I really loved the squirrel in a jar at the start. It was fun to watch just how determined they can be.

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому

      Glad you enjoyed it!

    • @barbarafryar4413
      @barbarafryar4413 11 місяців тому

      Very nice. What a blessing to have such skills. I really enjoyed the video. I love bird watching . Di you have hummingbirds, too?

  • @LaineyBug2020
    @LaineyBug2020 11 місяців тому +6

    Awww, Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal are so precious!

  • @pamelagardner3798
    @pamelagardner3798 11 місяців тому +13

    This is such a GREAT creation!!! You are my hero! So sick of squirrels and Blackbirds/Grackles stealing all the songbirds food! This is a game changer for sure! 👏🏻🙌🏻

  • @gerardolopez2267
    @gerardolopez2267 2 місяці тому +3

    Really great video, love how you present the products and steps. Genius design
    The spinning camera when cutting the long pipe made me LOL 😂

  • @thatjonguy103
    @thatjonguy103 11 місяців тому +24

    Having seen several commercial 'squirrel proof' bird feeders that don't work, this is certainly a good design and can be made fairly easily at home. I think one improvement I might made would be to have the top angled roof hinged, with a pin to keep it in place. Then have a small hatch under that to allow refilling the feeder without taking the bolts out. One alternative to the glass tray would be using one of the glass food storage containers if one doesn't have a glass shop close by. Or any other dish really provided the size was correct. Overall great idea and video!

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +3

      The base of the tray keeps everything centred. You can use another glass tray if you can find the perfect size but you'll find that making it is pretty straight forward and you get the size you want right away.

    • @dothedo3667
      @dothedo3667 4 місяці тому +2

      Is there any reason you wouldn't be able to use acrylic/plexiglass or something instead of glass?

    • @jpolowin0
      @jpolowin0 4 місяці тому +1

      @@dothedo3667 The only issue that I can think of is that silicone bonds much less well to most plastics than to glass, especially in wet conditions. (There's silicone that's intended for use in wet conditions, such as being used for an aquarium.) It's probably not a big deal since there's not going to be much force on the pieces, but a tray made of plastic would be rather less durable.

  • @virtualoutburst6873
    @virtualoutburst6873 11 місяців тому +10

    This is amazing and deceptively easy to build! Thank you so much for making this video. When I saw the picture I almost didn’t click on it because I imagine needing a plasma cutter, welder and $1000 worth of other tools lol.

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +1

      Glad you liked it!

    • @SmallSpoonBrigade
      @SmallSpoonBrigade 11 місяців тому +1

      I'm sure those things would help, but it is nice that he's made a design that doesn't require that.

  • @michaelschneider-
    @michaelschneider- 2 місяці тому +1

    +1 .. Subscribed. .. I'll follow suit building the bird feeder with the two neighbor kids; 10yo & 8yo. .. Many thanks for the details & the vision. .. A great project !
    Cheers, Vail, Colorado

  • @lisas4453
    @lisas4453 6 місяців тому +2

    i actually feel sorry for the squirrels!!! But it's fun to watch them try to get to the seeds. I really loved the cardinals kissing❤

  • @cindyboyett3462
    @cindyboyett3462 3 місяці тому +5

    This is so cool. Every time I think I have the squirrels beat, they find a way to get to the bird feed. I may have to try this as a summer craft project. Thx so much for sharing.

  • @picklebird1261
    @picklebird1261 11 місяців тому +7

    Beautiful design, and so functional too!

  • @Carol......
    @Carol...... 23 дні тому +1

    Very clever and so unique looking too, I love it.
    I finally hung my feeders on fishing line attached to either end of my garden, looked like they were just floating in the air, 6 feet from the ground. Finally stopped the squirrels getting to them 😊

    • @p_roduct9211
      @p_roduct9211 22 дні тому

      Wow, clever! How and what did you secure it to in the walls? It sounds interesting but I wonder how it will fare in our heavy snowy Canadian winters and wind storms.

    • @Carol......
      @Carol...... 22 дні тому

      @@p_roduct9211 Hi, I just attached the fishing line to either side of my high fence with a small metal hook at both ends. The ends were around 12 feet apart, then I just hung the 4 feeders on and secured them with cable ties so they couldn't move.
      I'm in Scotland and we get pretty harsh winters and plenty of snow. They survive just fine throughout the gales and storms ☺️👍

  • @user-ij1mz1fv5h
    @user-ij1mz1fv5h 3 дні тому +1

    This looks amazing, I might try some making one.

  • @JennsCorner777
    @JennsCorner777 11 місяців тому +10

    This video is just too adorable ...the wildlife part I mean. The construction of this feeder is wonderful. I want to make one similar now. Thanks for sharing!

  • @oninoni
    @oninoni 10 місяців тому +6

    Somebody go tell Mark Rober!

  • @trishdadish21
    @trishdadish21 25 днів тому +1

    I’m sure someone else has probably commented this, but if you left the outer glass tray you could have added water for them to drink. I would damn the water to only the shorter ends of the box, to make two small water troughs. Maybe make the walls to the outside a tad taller so squirrel couldn’t reach the water. Or an even smaller glass box in the center instead, and fill that with water. OMG, could even add a bubbler Solar pump, up through the center pipe. Just an idea. 😊 Those birds would never leave.

  • @breathnstop
    @breathnstop 11 місяців тому +2

    This is great, compassionate and great design. Did you see the male cardinal feeding his mate?

  • @shellypike4529
    @shellypike4529 11 місяців тому +8

    Chris, I have been enjoying your posts for years now. Thank you for sharing your fun projects. All the camera angles make for interesting footage. I’m a HD hardware associate. Thanks for the plug! 😊

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +2

      Good old Home Depot!!

  • @cherylmcguire7960
    @cherylmcguire7960 3 місяці тому +1

    I have been trying for years to keep my squirrels out of my feed. They drive me crazy. I am going to try to replicate this if this works I’m telling you you have just made my day you’ve made my world. Thank you so much for showing this video.

  • @tommytwo9051
    @tommytwo9051 11 місяців тому +1

    This is such a beautiful and functional bird feeder. I love learning from your channel. I can tell you love what you do - which for me, is what all we should strive for in life.

  • @aldobaglio7393
    @aldobaglio7393 11 місяців тому +3

    Wow fantastic job! Poor squirrel, he needs his personal bird proof feeder😂🤩

  • @josephwodarczyk977
    @josephwodarczyk977 11 місяців тому +6

    12:02 I love the sportsmanship here. It's good that the squirrels get SOMETHING for their time.

  • @mattp422
    @mattp422 2 місяці тому +1

    I love how the cardinals feed one another!

  • @bishipc117
    @bishipc117 11 місяців тому +2

    Talk about going around in circles. Lol. Nice video. I’ll have to make one

  • @ConorFenlon
    @ConorFenlon 11 місяців тому +7

    Yet again, your exceptional functional designs are beautifully showcased with your excellent camera work, and stellar editing skills. Is there anything you CAN'T do??? 😁

  • @DARIVSARCHITECTVS
    @DARIVSARCHITECTVS 11 місяців тому +3

    AWESOME design!

  • @Kaptain.Obvious
    @Kaptain.Obvious 10 місяців тому +2

    PERFECT. Also keeps larger birds that wipe out seed like Jays and Grackles at bay. thanks for posting. 😊

  • @lauralake7430
    @lauralake7430 24 дні тому +1

    Excellent camera work!

  • @chrisstearns10
    @chrisstearns10 11 місяців тому +3

    Well done!! Around the time of your first feeder video, another UA-camer was trying to build a squirrel proof bird feeder without success. I posted a link to your video in the comments with the hopes he would see how it's done correctly👍

  • @christinashawgo6510
    @christinashawgo6510 11 місяців тому +3

    I love all your squirrel traps and bird feeders. Been watching you off and on for a long time.

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +2

      Awesome! Thank you!

  • @richardmcdonald7565
    @richardmcdonald7565 4 місяці тому +2

    This is a great idea..... if you have extra cut-offs of pipes... however, to keep squirrels out, all you need to do is sprinkle the feed liberally, with Cayenne powder. The biology of WHY it works, is because squirrels are a species of mammal. All mammals have receptor sites for capsasin, the chemical, within the oil, which reacts with our receptor sites. However, Birds do not have these receptor sites, and so they couldn't care less, about Cayenne... 🙂 I really do love your designs ... big and small... It was pretty funny watching the squirrel go crazy, for not being able to get at the food. 🙂

  • @ChaoticPochi
    @ChaoticPochi 11 місяців тому +5

    your builds are always so thoughtful

  • @allnaturalme
    @allnaturalme 4 місяці тому +18

    Best part about this amazing feeder: Not a single piece of plastic was used!! 👏🤘👍

  • @sandrataylor-burns2550
    @sandrataylor-burns2550 7 місяців тому +1

    I love this. I have a bunch of copper pipe left ocer from renovations. It should keep out the Magpie's too, maybe. Lol. This would be a great project with my 5 year old granddaughter. She would love to build it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me ❤❤❤

  • @nileslivingstonsr3930
    @nileslivingstonsr3930 11 місяців тому

    Good morning Chris. Again I quite enjoyed your work. ...This morning I was preparing to read my Bible ( K.J.V. ONLY! ) on the patio ( where I enjoy feeding a diversity of birds ). I live in the foothills of a fairly large mountain; and there were, a dozen Sparrows, three dove, two larger ringed neck Doves, and two Squirrels were having breakfast; and I was sitting down, and, in my peripheral view "SOMETHING LARGE," flew inside the bush hedges about 15 feet in front of my chair ( where sparrows like to hid ). I heard a commotion, than SAW "THE HAWK," fly away with it's prey! ..."Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?" - Job 39:26 ( Job 37:1-24 ) ...Amen.

  • @jt9498
    @jt9498 11 місяців тому +20

    Pretty cool bird feeder, and a great idea! I would have used plexiglass for the seed container instead of glass though, and slightly taller on the edges. Other than that....nice job! :)

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +19

      Silicone does not stick to plexiglass. With glass it is cheaper and can be disassembled to make changes with the silicone.

    • @jansmith3158
      @jansmith3158 11 місяців тому +9

      poor squirrel just traying to survive too 😢

    • @will_doherty
      @will_doherty 11 місяців тому +17

      @@jansmith3158 Bushy tailed rats - they always survive...

    • @SmallSpoonBrigade
      @SmallSpoonBrigade 11 місяців тому +4

      @@will_doherty You can literally toss one out of a plane and it won't die. Squirrels are one of the toughest animals out there to kill.

    • @M.Campbell
      @M.Campbell 11 місяців тому

      @@jansmith3158 They are greedy gluttons who clearly show their relation to rats. They eat everything and the birds get nothing.

  • @Amy_McFarland
    @Amy_McFarland 11 місяців тому +23

    I personally would have added hinges to the feeder (on the bottom) for ease of refilling. Drill one hole for the bolt and a wing nut to secure it. Great build, I just might have to make this one!

    • @consciousobjector2507
      @consciousobjector2507 11 місяців тому +2

      Why don't you build one and show us!

    • @dawsie
      @dawsie 11 місяців тому +4

      Thanks I was going to add a fitted lid that flipped up but a hinge at the bottom is a better idea😹😹

    • @erndub
      @erndub 11 місяців тому

      why not just fill it with a wide necked funnel?

    • @tequilacollins
      @tequilacollins 11 місяців тому +1

      I was thinking the same thing.

    • @hokieduck
      @hokieduck 10 місяців тому +2

      @@erndub
      I thought the same thing; however, I think you would want to clean it when refilling as the seed shells and poop would lead to very unsanitary conditions and spread disease amongst our friends.

  • @fsj197811
    @fsj197811 10 місяців тому +1

    Well done. I love the footage of the frustrated PITA squirrel. Thanks for sharing.

  • @sbrunner69
    @sbrunner69 4 місяці тому +1

    I use the same drafting brush in my shop too! Great little clean up tool. I’m making this project, ready for the spring hopefully.

  • @joshron99
    @joshron99 11 місяців тому +3

    Splendid video. I do not have the skills to create (or even replicate) such a work of functional art. I have wrestled with the squirrel problem (even posted a couple of videos here) but was eventually "defeated" by the persistent, agile and ingenious little buggers. Gold finches by coming in groups, feasting and staying became a bit of a tedious sight despite their beauty. I'll content myself in vacariously enjoying Chris' success and well-made videos.

  • @onironius8008
    @onironius8008 11 місяців тому +5

    Pretty great that the squirrels clean everything up.

  • @donaldelmore2338
    @donaldelmore2338 3 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for your design! I will add this to my bird house collection this summer!

  • @gbinman
    @gbinman Місяць тому

    I enjoyed. I have a "natural" wooded area behind my house. There are many "tree rats". Your build is more than I would attempt but I would love to have one. I particularly like the camera that you used that recognizes "pets". When I bought this house there was a feeder dish on a pole for birds, but it had a large dome mounted on the pole beneath the plate. The squirrels would try endlessly to get to the bird food. They couldn't defeat the dome and would try dropping down from above which almost never worked. I love that you let them get so very close only to be frustrated.

  • @j.hofmann6733
    @j.hofmann6733 11 місяців тому +9

    Chris, I hold the theory that if the critters can't get to the bird feeder they can't take the bird's food. My feeder hangs from the end of a fiberglass rod about 5 feet long. The rod is angled up about 45 deg. I bought a length of PVC pipe the just slips over the fiberglass rod and cut the PVC in 4" lengths and placed them over the full length of the fiberglass rod. This creates a series of rollers that squirrels, chipmonks and other animals cannot navigate.

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому

      That's a neat idea!

    • @drippingwax
      @drippingwax 11 місяців тому +3

      Mark Rober made 3 versions of Backyard Squirrel Mazes to feed birds and only birds.

  • @scottshepard345
    @scottshepard345 11 місяців тому +5

    At last someone has outsmarted the squirrels !

  • @kgrandis
    @kgrandis 9 місяців тому +1

    Brilliant design. Thanks for sharing!

  • @jsh3234
    @jsh3234 11 місяців тому +4

    Nice design 👍
    You also could have eliminated the first row of tubes which I would think could help in keeping the squirrel's from getting their paws from getting in.

  • @melodyboudreaux7141
    @melodyboudreaux7141 11 місяців тому +3

    Squirrels are seriously persistent! I’m glad you let them get a few seeds!
    Your design is awesome!!

  • @MrPrincepop
    @MrPrincepop 11 місяців тому

    I remember watching all those videos. 😄Outsmarting those crafty squirrels.

  • @lauralake7430
    @lauralake7430 24 дні тому

    I am so impressed!

  • @JacobShepherdEngineer
    @JacobShepherdEngineer 4 місяці тому +3

    I like the addition of the smaller tray. It seems like it will make it easier to refill, preventing the seeds from getting under the frame.

  • @TundeEszlari
    @TundeEszlari 11 місяців тому +3

    I love your contents.

  • @wangofree
    @wangofree 11 місяців тому +2

    Brilliant project!

  • @roalif
    @roalif 11 місяців тому +1

    very comprehensive video

  • @Wisepati
    @Wisepati 11 місяців тому +4

    Marvelous ingenuity. Are usually try to put some seeds out that aren’t in a feeder for the squirrels and other critters. It takes the pressure off the feeder as well. Well done.

  • @grizzlott
    @grizzlott 11 місяців тому +7

    As always, brilliant beautiful work.
    When it comes time to refill it, I wouldn't bother taking it apart. I would fill a paper towel tube up with the seeds and slide it through the holes.

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +3

      That's not a bad idea! It is real easy though to take the 2 bolts out and lift off the top. Easy to clean and easy to fill!

    • @JohnDlugosz
      @JohnDlugosz 11 місяців тому +1

      @@chrisnotap Just don't let the squirrels see you do it. Once they get the idea to do something _under_ the platform, you've lost the battle.

    • @will_doherty
      @will_doherty 11 місяців тому +1

      i was thinking of a 1" diameter tube with a funnel mouth to save opening it, but similar idea...

    • @graceb1949
      @graceb1949 11 місяців тому +5

      It really needs to be cleaned when you refill it to stop the spread of disease, so I wouldn't skip that.

    • @will_doherty
      @will_doherty 11 місяців тому

      @@graceb1949 Makes sense.

  • @Marcuswelby-nx2te
    @Marcuswelby-nx2te 9 місяців тому +2

    That is the best feeder I have ever seen

  • @REVNUMANEWBERN
    @REVNUMANEWBERN 2 місяці тому +1

    0:57 to 1:20 IS the GENIUS part !!!

  • @egrace3738
    @egrace3738 4 місяці тому +4

    Thank you for sharing your designs. Great video editing, and it has an ASMR touch to it, too. Beautiful!

  • @gwynethm1
    @gwynethm1 11 місяців тому +4

    The kissing cardinals are my favorite. 😊

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому

      You're actually the first to mention that!!

    • @rdaalways2286
      @rdaalways2286 3 місяці тому

      I have quite a selection of birds coming to my feeders.
      It is my daily routine. Watching them all feed, and in the meantime a relaxation and meditative state. Nice.

  • @dawn7496
    @dawn7496 6 місяців тому +1

    Not only is it effective but it is also beautiful!!! Thank you

  • @stephenross4333
    @stephenross4333 4 місяці тому +2

    Great, simple design ! Modern & retro at the same time. Looks like something out of Dwell magazine. Nice job.
    I saw a front security door made out of various sized rounds. It was attractive & secure without appearing intimidating.

  • @erics118garage5
    @erics118garage5 11 місяців тому +8

    Awesome, I love the new squirrel proof feeder! I already built the first one you posted several years ago and it’s held up perfectly over the years. I might need to build this one as well. I wonder how well the galvanized pipe will hold up over the years?

    • @chrisnotap
      @chrisnotap  11 місяців тому +3

      It's been up since March in a bit of snow and a lot of rain and there is no signs of rust anywhere. Seems to be doing quite well. I thought it might rust but that in itself would give it another cool look too if it did.

    • @michiganengineer8621
      @michiganengineer8621 11 місяців тому +2

      Chain link fences can (and do) last decades, all those are is galvanized steel just like this. I agree it's a very nice feeder and one that doesn't take much in the way of tools to build

    • @TorBoy9
      @TorBoy9 11 місяців тому +1

      a bit of rust from non-galvanized pipe would give it a more natural look.

    • @piezoman79
      @piezoman79 11 місяців тому

      I’m sure you could do a lacquer finish over the rings to help slow any rust, or just hit them with a coat of rust reformer and then grey

    • @dawsie
      @dawsie 11 місяців тому +1

      Or just a can of spray galvanised paint, I found some here in Australia after the guys who put up my solar panels were using it on every hole they made in my roof before bolting down the rails for the panel.

  • @erikl85
    @erikl85 11 місяців тому +5

    Awesome design, I may just have to make this. Curious about the sizing for my area, while we do have gray squirrels, we also have douglas squirrels, which are much smaller and far more tenacious. I might have to go down a bit on the pipe diameter, would be nice if it kept out the jays as well.

    • @nickp.4995
      @nickp.4995 10 місяців тому

      I would have the same question, we have a bunch of aggressive red squirrels in the area, and I think it could squeeze through those holes

    • @randalosgood
      @randalosgood 6 місяців тому

      You'll just have to do the same experiments he did at the beginning of the video.@@nickp.4995

  • @peasant8246
    @peasant8246 10 місяців тому +2

    I love watching those squirrels stuggle to grab a seed! Shaudenfreude!