Yikes!

Obviously, I still haven't figured out how to include illustrations in the posts very effectively. Slightly surprised it came out as well as it did after all the tinkering I did without a clue as to what I was doing! lol

Milk Jug Bird Feeder

Tools and Supplies Required

1 milk jug with lid
2 wooden ½” dowel rods, about 10” long
2 pieces pliable wire, 8” long each
length of rope or an old narrow belt
Marker
Box cutter or sharp knife
Scissors
Nail or Heavy Needle

Wash and rinse the jug. If there is a strong odor of spoiled milk and stubborn milk residue, fill with hot water, add a tablespoon of baking soda and let sit for a couple of hours before proceeding.

Mark your doors and where you want the perches. Perches should be about 1” from the bottom and the door about ½” above that. Note lower illustration… One side will need to be about ½” lower than the other so the perches have clearance to cross each other in the center.

Make a cut at the center of your door, as shown. Using your scissors cut outward in a spiral, as marked (in blue) on the picture. This makes following your outline, rounding the corners and getting the shape you want easier.

Snipping holes for dowels can be a little tricky. You want fit to be snug so they don’t slide or roll. I suggest pushing in the point of the knife to make two small slices as shown. This will allow you to push the dowel through and out the other side without getting the hole so large as to be ‘sloppy’. A common problem is getting the hole a bit large. If that happens, just position your dowels, then slide ½” rubber washers (the kind used in garden hoses work fine) over the dowels and up against the jug to lock it in place. A dot of hot glue between washer and jug will keep it from rolling when birds light on it.

Notice the cap area and how the jug is made. There are usually ‘rings’ or heavier circles around the spout. Immediately below this is where you will put your wire for hanging.

Poke two holes, about ½” apart, right at the base of the bottom ring. Repeat on the opposite side. When you get the nail through the plastic, wiggle it around to widen the hole a bit. This will not only make it bigger, but will help smooth the edges making it easier to push the wire through.

About 3” from an end, make a 90 degree bend in the wire. Put long side through the hole and bend upwards. Make loops, as shown, on each side. Depending on how stiff your wire is, you may want to make a twist in it to secure.

Thread your rope through the loops and tie securely to branch. Do not pull the jug too tightly against the limb. If the branch is a bit too upright, just take a wrap with the rope before tying together. This will hold the feeder in place nicely while still allowing it to hang freely.

Some people like to use just a length of wire to hang the feeder from the tree branch, but I prefer the rope or belt because it does not damage the branch so badly over time. If you do use wire, be sure to wrap it with duct tape or a bit of rag where it rubs the limb.

Although I have never had a problem with moisture getting into the jug, it is a good idea to use your nail to poke a few small holes in the bottom for drainage… particularly if you live in a rainy area.