How to Make Homemade Bird Feeders

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Making a bird feeder at home does not have to be difficult. Most are so easy to construct that the kids can do it by themselves. A bird feeder made from a milk carton is disposable, so you can discard it when it gets too weathered and have another one ready to replace it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Cardboard milk carton Marking pen Scissors Knife Craft glue Popsicle sticks Non-toxic paint Paintbrush String Birdseed
Cardboard milk carton
Marking pen
Scissors
Knife
Craft glue
Popsicle sticks
Non-toxic paint
Paintbrush
String
Birdseed

Step 1

Wash the carton to remove residual milk and allow it to fully dry. You can find milk cartons in pint, quart and half-gallon sizes. The bigger the carton, the bigger the feeding area and the more birdseed it will hold.

Step 2

Mark a 4-inch square on the center of your milk carton, then mark the opposite side as well. This will be the area you will cut out for the feeder opening.

Step 3

Cut the sides and the top of the square, leaving the bottom portion uncut. Fold the cut paper outward to form a perch for the birds to sit on while they are eating seed.

Step 4

Poke several small holes in the bottom of the carton. These will be drain holes for water that gets inside of the feeder.

Step 5

Glue popsicle sticks along the top of the carton to form a roof. Line up the popsicle sticks side by side and glue them in place. This will help protect the carton from rain and make it last longer. Allow the glue to completely dry.

Step 6

Use a non-toxic paint on the outside of the carton. This will ensure that birds will not get poisoned by the paint if it gets wet and runs into their food.

Step 7

Cut a piece of sturdy string that is long enough to tie around a tree branch and through the carton. You want the string to be long enough for the bird feeder to hang freely from a branch.

Step 8

Loop the string through both openings on the feeder and make a knot on top. Leave two equal-length pieces of string on both sides after you have made the top knot.

Step 9

Fill the feeder with birdseed. Tie your string to a branch and secure the knot tightly.

Tips & Warnings

Spruce up your birdseed by adding unsalted nuts (shelled or unshelled) and raisins. It will attract different species of birds. Paint the outside of the carton in earth tones so it will blend into the environment.

Spruce up your birdseed by adding unsalted nuts (shelled or unshelled) and raisins. It will attract different species of birds.

Paint the outside of the carton in earth tones so it will blend into the environment.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

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