I recently conducted a class for the Master Gardener chapter that I’m a member of on 20 “DIY” bird-feeders utilizing natural sources, recycled materials and re-purposed items. Of course the best bird-feeder is what nature provides: nuts, seeds and fruit from native trees, shrubs and wildflowers.
But – this class was all about creating bird-feeders and I came up with a few original ideas and several DIY feeders I found over the Internet. These chick-feeder inspired bird-feeders are all over the web (especially Pinterest and Etsy). And if you happen to have a flock of backyard chickens that have outgrown these feeders, this is a great way to recycle or re-purpose. If you don’t have a spare chick-feeder (or never had a reason to purchase one), they are only about 2-3 dollars at a farm supply store. If you’re going to re-purpose a feeder that had been used by your flock, be sure to thoroughly wash the feeder with a mild soap before using it as a wild bird-feeder.
I think every chicken keeper has had some exposure to this feeder in one way or another; either your grandparents had one or you’ve used one yourself with your own young chicks. I tried to come up with some trivial facts and history of this jar feeder that has sustained its usefulness throughout generations. However, I couldn’t find any definitive answers on who was the original inventor or when this particular feeder first appeared on the market. I asked the Community on our facebook page if they knew how old this feeder design was or who the ingenious inventor might be… One Community follower led me to The Ball Jars Collectors Website. and according to this site, the first automatic-flow jar feeder was invented in 1905 (I assume that was the glass version of this feeder and the galvanized base appeared later). Miller Manufacturing seems to be the oldest (still operating) manufacturer of poultry feeders, dating back to 1941 where under the brand name Little Giant, they began producing automatic poultry feeders. In the end, I guess it really doesn’t matter how the feeder came about, but it has certainly proven itself over the years!
I came up with three different ways to transform this domestic bird-feeder into a wild bird-feeder…
The first version of bird-feeder uses a re-purposed glass or ceramic plate as a cover for the feeder. The hardest part of this DIY was learning how to drill a hole into a glass jar…
- Start with a 1/4 ” diamond drill bit.
- The drill needs to stay lubricated with water so keep a spray bottle close by.
- Start drilling at a 45° angle (have the drill on and go toward the glass – don’t put the drill bit on the glass and then start the drill).
- Slowly move the bit to a 90° angle. Avoid applying pressure (you’re grinding or chipping away at the glass, not drilling).
- Continue to spray water on the bit and stop a few times and clean the area off and apply more water.
- It’s a slow process… When you’re close to the end, slow the speed of the drill down and mentally remember to go up with the drill and not push the drill through the jar. ( I did that a few times and the jar shatters). ~ Remember to wear protective eye glasses…
- Once the holes are drilled: add an eye bolt, a couple of rubber washers and nuts. It took a while for me to figure out how to tighten the nuts (your hand won’t fit inside the jar). My husband then brought me a basin wrench to accomplish this task, but it was still a little difficult to get the nuts tightened securely.
In my second feeder example, I wrapped 8-gauge copper wire (Home Depot: 66 cents/foot) around the jar and created a hanger.
176 Comments
Love the idea of DIY feeders. hillsidehens@gmail.com
Wow!! I love the copper wire one and how you are finding ways to keep it cheap and find at your house. Good Job!
I would love to enter!
Arianna halfchance@live.com
Love your ideas!!! hiphopsaves@gmail.com
What good ideas-you got me thinking-thanks!
This contest has ended and a winner was chosen by a random number generator. Thanks for the comments and good luck on all your DIY projects!
great ideas!
smileygal2@ymail.com
RescuerMom March 5, 2013 Very Creative idea! I like the idea of letting some of my “babies’ have a new ‘treat’. Thanks. Lynda kelliskorner3@yahoo.com
Congratulations! You’re the winner! Check your email for more information!
I really like your ideas. Thanks for sharing them. Most of my plastic feeder/waterer tops have broken. I have several of the metal bottoms and will be trying your ideas soon.
Thanks for a chance to win!
Cheers,
Stacy
I just read this and I have purchased nine chicks this last Sunday! They are in my bathroom, in a cage, on a platform over my tub. Hubby hates that the water bottle in on the bottom because they are making a mess of things! So I’m going to do the epoxy a lid on the top and hang it!! What a fabulous idea! The last time I had hens was 1999, so I’m almost new again at this! Thanks for a great idea! I’ll be reading these more carefully now and I liked you on FB. What a wonderful place for info and fun stuff!
Thanks again,
Patt J
PJPMAX@aol.com
I’ve used the wrap method, but believe the pot lid epoxied onto the top of the jar is innovative and gives a wonderful look and protection from the elements. I am definitely going to try this one!
Many Thanks!!
brussgro@charter.net
would love to win garynlindami@yahoo.com Linda
I never thought about recycling my chick feeder. Good idea, thanks!
Love your ideas. I want to try that too, Desperately need bird feeders. The spring birds are back and I do not have a feeder. Would love to win it!!! garynlindami@yahoo.com
duntov1@verizon.net
love the ideal will look nice on my deck !
pratersplace@hotmail.com
Nice way to recycle.
faithfulumw@aol.com
what a great idea! I’m going to do that!
I absolutely love the second feeder with the copper wire, awesome!!
sasharasid_74@hotmail.com
The copper wire feeder looks like a great project to try with my grandchildren. clema_1999@yahoo.com
chuckollar@yahoo.com
Great ideas!! Going to try my own 🙂
amberlento@yahoo.com
Thanks for sharing such great and creative ideas.
Great idea! gerryandcindy@bellsouth.net
Brandi Searcy: brandireneesearcy@comcast.net
Justin Chastant: justinchastant@yahoo.com
Great ideas! When drilling glass/ceramics, use oil to lubricate and a hand crank drill. The hand crank drill takes longer but, you have better control & less breakage especially with the oil.
elady1234@yahoo.com
I’m going to make a few wild bird feeders. Thank you!
Kate
katn7lives@gmail.com
I THINK YOUR IDEALS ARE GREAT FOR RECYCLING TO FEED THE WILD BIRDS.
good idea’s. damndago1@yahoo.com
We made a few of these out of the plastic type chick feeders once we found out that they didnt handle the weight of the chickens on them (when we hung from the top of their chickie baby cage) I love the idea of using the clear glass mason jars!
entropyy77@yahoo.com
What an excellent use of a Mason Jar. Cheers!
lynnhbug@hotmail.com
Great idea! We are planning on having a few chickens this year and could really use this. Many thanks! glixon1966@hotmail.com
Love my chickies! sourtymes@gmail.com
I really like the ingeniuty of building things from what we already have around. I like to feed the birds around our house as they make for a friendly environment. Rhanks for your suggestions.
sjunso@centurytel.net
Love the bird feeder idea, very crafty.
I really like the one made with copper wire! That would bee the easiest for me to do, I think, & it adds a graceful touch.
fuzzyoldbagg@yahoo.com
nancylschliesser@gmail.com
You can repurpose the wire clothes hangers that drycleaners use, instead of buying new copper wire, as well.
really great diy idea. Thanks.
mbowen_1@yahoo.com
Cool diy!
What a perfect time for such a giveaway! Just in time for the chicks the Easter Bunnies will be delivering this year!
kyleloneill@gmail.com
balboaroc@aol.com Thanks for the contest. We will be getting new chicks in the next month ; ]
Kookiaz2@yahoo.com
Love your ideas!
Very clever!
lillith2b@aol.com
weedkiller44@yahoo.com
Jim
JLAdmire at comcast dot net
markknapp73@gmail.com
Teri Klick sabenofarm@yahoo.com
Your feeders are great for bird of all kinds. Thank you
keithbutts@hotmail.com
I really like the epoxied on lid idea. I’m all for practical simplicity – and depending on what lid you find, it could be quite artistic, too!
wendryl54@gmail.com
Loved all 3 ideas, but I think my favorite was the 2nd one with the copper wire. I’m definitely going make one of those for my garden!
boomerbristol@yahoo.com
Neat idea for wild bird feed. I have to try this thank you. Chicklady5912@yahoo.com
Would love to win this for my daughter’s mother-in-law
jrs362 at hotmail dot com
Great ideas, Thank you.
suem5@hotmail.com
That is a very neat IDEA! ALSO, there are other ways to make a feeder…I’ll have to draw or take some pictures first…but using a plastic 3 liter or larger type container will also do the job?
These are really good ideas! Thank you!!
mscory1958@att.net
Wonderful, fun ideas!!! clearh2os@gmail.com
Love these feeders!
mtgrl23@gmail.com
Thank you for all the creative ideas! Sara sarajoy@wavewls.com
I love the lid epoxied to the top! I have one of these laying around my back yard.
Gingeroo616 at AOL dotcom
Rebecca I just pinned your creations and I love them and kinda slapped my head saying…Why didn’t I think of that? Good thing you did and thanks for sharing.
Dolly
dollhappy@bellsouth.net
DaniJul29@aol.com
Great Ideas! Thanks for showing us. Can’t wait to got get some extra feeders just for these ideas. postaldawg34@windstream.net
What a clever idea to use my “original” galvanized feeders. (I switched to plastic ages ago, soooo much easier to keep clean.) Joanne Meadows cowrazy@live.com
I am always glad to see projects that “real” people can do. I plan on a few chicks this spring and will be using my feeder but you never know when one will show up.
msstoneguardians@yahoo.com
Adamskogenwins@gmail.com
Great projects. I particularly like the copper wire wrap.
sheil4458@gmail.com
DO NOT GO TO BERRY PATCH FOSTER HOME
SPRINGFIELD OREGON
Such a good idea, I think I will go get some more just to use them! Beckyagne@Yahoo.com
I want to know how many jars you broke? Lol – I have tried and It always cracked! Great Job and I love them! Thank you, Mary
Love these feeders
kd5ors@arrl.net
Your feeders are very nice looking. Love the copper wire.
luckylkjj@aol.com
I love these. I have seen these in my earlier years green329006@bellsouth.net
I love this idea. I raise a lot of rare chicks. I am going to do #3 so I can hang their feeders and have less waste! Thanks!
whittville@sbcglobal.net
Very cute ideas! Being a new 4H mom, this is a neat project you could do to recycle something you already have. Thanks for your creativity!!
defreecezoo@neb.rr.com
Recycling through repurposing is resourceful.
Great ideas – thank you for sharing. hclhalcyon@tds.net
I love the DIY ideas! kimbra264@live.com
Thanks. Getting some chicks for first time this year. laurae2u at yahoo dot com
JRMansky@yahoo.com
Very creative ideas for bird feeders – thanks for sharing!
upstate_new_yorker at yahoo.com
I will be using this at preschool.
randombantamfarms@yahoo.com
Nice!
MsDeepSea_2000@yahoo.com
cool! pquernheim@gmail.com
Love the feeders.so easy to make. rnkott@centurylink.net
Love those bird feeders. Gives me some great ideas! carolyemola@hotmail.com
Please enter me – spynaert@hotmail.com
Love all these ideas! Thanks for sharing them.
kimballk@slhs.org
What a great idea for up-cycling!!!!
hlschleifer@gmail.com
Been thinking what other use my little feeders could have. Too cool
sfg74@sbcglobal.net
Ronboandmamajo@gmail.com
Wow! Thanks for explaining how to drill the hole, I have been seeing tea pots repurposed and couldn’t figure out the hole,(I didn’t want to break the pot trying either.)
syawn@yahoo.com
Great feeder ideas. Guess I know what I’ll be doing the next couple of days since we’re snowed in. Your neighbor to your north and south of KC.
phredp@gmail.com
pbrnest@aol.com Great idea!! Always looking for bird feeders!
Love the feeders! bestponymilo@yahoo.com
Very Cute Feeders! backtobasicsgal@gmail.com
Very cool — I love this kind of thing!
juanitamae123@gmail.com
I love how you wrapped the copper wire around the feeder!
snowwolf222@yahoo.com
nice project
goddess012957@yahoo.com
such an intelligent and practical way to upcycle! coffeebean264@gmail.com
Love them all. mom2avi@yahoo.com Angela
Thats really cool!
averyrobnett@yahoo.com
what a great way to repurpose a chick feeder
lmvolpe at MT.gov
Great idea, I have loads of those laying around. Some older ones, some newer ones. I’ll have to try that, it sounds like a good project for the grandkids to do this summer. Not drilling, but the other ones. Thanks!
A Lot of good info.
dgabriel2@msn.com
I can’t wait to have my girls help me do this for a summer project.
ltroth2@hotmail.com
I love this! Can’t wait to add this to my list of things my hubby can make me this Spring. 😉
justindh@iwon.com
I love this idea. Best yet, I can do it without my husbands help.
slverizzi@msn.com
sarahslennyb at yahoo.com
The lid with a handle is a GREAT idea! I will be doing that for my brooder this year, as the chicks always seem to knock it over or roost on top the feeder.
Please enter my name in the give-away. I would love to try this for my chicks.
Vicki kuunoita@yahoo.com
Great ideas
Qtmars@yahoo.com
Love the ideas Thx for the Great giveaway 🙂 cubbiecutie@yahoo.com
Nice project.Leaving email address is going to subject people to being spammed.
Great ideas. gravittfamilyof5@aol.com
http://www.facebook.com/countrifiedhicks
http://www.countrifiedhicks.com
There are 47 eggs in the Miller Mfg. incubator in our kitchen. Would any hatchlings love some of your Chickie Puffs? I think mine would.
love the bird feeder–question: i heard that wild birds can carry diseases to chickens? would you position this away from the coop? lakeeissa@yahoo.com
Great idea. raeraggs@hotmail.com
I’ll try the epoxy lid- no drilling works for me 😉
derby_54 at Y A H O O dot com
Love these ideas!
Maria Verderaime
Crazy about your cute DIY bird feeders. My fave is also the copper wire one. Will have to try making a couple myself. Thanks for the great idea.
wndylbrght@hotmail.com
You’ve given me some good ideas for feeders; Thanks!
These are awesome! I made a feeder a couple of years ago, using 3 liter soda bottles. It’s rustic, but works beautifully!
balee2010@gmail.com
I am so excited to make some bird feeders!
gmasandy_139@hotmail.com
I like the copper wire one, also. Very elegant and arty!
jtrknit@gmail.com
Great ideas on the feeders!
oliviam77@yahoo.com
I love these ideas it would be fun too to see a huge multiple feeder.. excellent job.. I hope I win RuthieNewsToday@gmail.com
I love it! The first one is my favorite, but I can see the difficulty in drilling through the dish so I will be looking to make the third version. Great post!I’m pinning it to our pinterest boards also! Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com
Great ideas!
duchesshill73@gmail.com
Beautiful. I’m so excited.
c_bluelaser@yahoo.com
I so love your ideas with the feeders..awesome job! Free22Dream@Yahoo.com
I like the copper wire feeder. Thanks for the giveaway! tia_elnora@yahoo.com
Very nice project to make and enjoy for some time. Great idea!
I like both the wire and the pot lid versions and would probably try those first before trying to drill through the plate and glass – that looks scary!
shelley.dahme@gmail.com
Michael Seawell
#3 is fantastic way to recycle chicken feeder and old pot lids. Really enjoyed this article.fpl@rtmc.net
I feel inspired ! great ideas, thank you !
rob4ray@epix.net
My chickies are getting ready to hatch. I hope.
mjponylady@yahoo.com
Love the idea. Just wish I had thought about it. So Simple but effective.
bigstatetool@yahoo.com
orangenkitty@hotmail.com
Thanks so much!
conniehodde@yahoo.com
Great ideas! Beautiful too!
heidi.tatum@yahoo.com
Those are so cute! I love the one with the copper wire wrapped around the bottle.
All my chick feeders are those cheap plastic ones, LOL. Though I guess they would work too.
lisa(at)vetteklisa(dot)com
Great idea~!
pattyp1121@yahoo.com
Nice! miptrooper@yahoo.com
I just ordered my spring chickens and I would love to give Chickie Puffs a try. Lucero_dawn at yahoo.com
we love our chickens and birds.
The second one (copper wire) is so cute, I’m going to have to buy a metal feeder next trip to the feed store. <3
I don’t have any chicks, but I’m sure my hens would love the chick treats!
Now I have another project to put on my list! Thanks for showing us this. : )
Great idea~!
pattyp1121@yahoo.com
Thanks for the great idea – our wild birds will get a treat this year for sure, thanks to you 🙂
Kris
Great idea, like to work out one .
LOVE IT!!!!
flipsinmo@yahoo.com
Would love to try this and also win! Thanks zimmerman(.)dis(at)gmail.com
This is an Awesome Idea! I thinks thees will work out better than feeding the Blue Jays out of a dog food bowl on top of the vehicle.. LOL.. dealingwithadreamer@hotmail.com
Great ideas!!!!
homesteadingquest@gmail.com
Very clever DIY ideas. Stephanie – rockydoo09@gmail.com
great ideas, will be trying my hand at making one real soon
eteal01@yahoo.com
Loved the pictures of the feeders in action, fills me with anticipation for spring!
wmmeatlady@hotmail.com
Debra Sauvageau
Looks like the little birds love your idea! graceinapril@gmail.com
I absolutely love the copper wire feeder. It is beautiful! I wouldn’t have to worry about the seed getting wet. The local birds go through it the day I put seed out.
Monica Ammerman
Monica at AmmermanEnt dot com
Very neat ideas.
mbalsano at comcast dot net
zero249@hal-pc.org
interesting.
These are beautiful, Rebecca! How innovative!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I love upcycling anything to keep it out of the landfill! Great ideas I could put to use, thanks! sandrada@hughes.net
great ideas, have to make my own
rabbit_ohio@hotmail.com
Nice looking feeders, I like the originality. Jimwerner7@aol.com
Great idea!
The lid idea sounds great for the brooder!
jesseam@gmail.com
I love this way of using what you already have! spedlebug6@earthlink.net
Absolutely love your 2nd feeder with the copper wire! Nice job!!
dstabor@hardynet.com