How do I get a wood pole base for a Bird Feeder?
by
Linda Dugas
+19
I bought a bird house last summer. I put it on one of my shepard hooks that was 36-48 inches high...well a squirrel climbed the pole and knocked the bird house off the Shepard hook and some parts of the Bird house broke. I fixed that but I realized we need a wooden pole that has a flat surface on top to add one of those metal platforms to add the bird house onto. I have been searching online and the already finished poles are kind of expensive for us. My husband is not handy and does not want to attempt making a pole. My poor birdhouse sits in the house empty...we have a feeder in our backyard and one in the small area outside our front steps that we fill for the local birds. Can anyone help with an easy to get/afford Pole and any ideas would be very welcome. thank you :)
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Rub vaseline up and down the shepard hook - squirrels just slide down and can't get to the feeder. Works for us and is quite amusing watching these little guys sliding down the hooks!!
Would a fence post work? The round ones have a flat top. Attach a board to the top of the post and then attach the bird house to the board. You can get them at the big box stores and they are not expensive. Digging the hole is a bit of a chore, but doable.
Here are a bunch of options for you.
https://www.whatdosquirrelseat.org/bird-feeder-pole/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/landscaping/how-to-install-a-birdhouse-post/view-all/
https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/how-to-install-a-birdhouse-on-a-post-diycourage/
http://grandmapearlsbackporch.blogspot.com/2013/12/best-bird-house-pole-and-how-to-install.html
https://youtu.be/BVWQH8lVKVI
I have mostly fly through feeders and 2 feeder houses. I don't care about the squirrels, they need to eat too. Also buy peanuts for the squirrels too.
A wood pole is more easily climbed than a shepherd's hook. Take Robertas suggestion and tie the bird house down with zip ties. You can also add an anti squirrel cone to your pole. Looks like an upside down bowl.
https://www.google.com/search?q=birdhouse+pole+ideas&tbm=isch&source=hp&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwicz9a6mZbgAhVGQq0KHQ_uDuIQsAR6BAgCEAE&biw=1525&bih=722
Not only squirrels will climb up the pole! And, yes, wood is easier to climb than metal. Your local Lowe's or Home Depot or other home store should have a barrier that should stop anything from climbing up the pole. If it won't fit over the Shepard's hook, you can make one using heavy corrugated plastic and holding it in place with a clamp above and below the cone shaped barrier. Just cut out a circle about 28 inches in diameter and then cut a line from the edge to the center. Put it around the pole and bring the edges together to overlap, making sure the cone edge is higher than the center. Secure it with a wire tie (you'll have to punch a hole) and then set your clamps in place so it will be secure. Some birds do not like it if the corrugated plastic is white, so you can spray paint is a dark green or brown to make it less scary. With a 14" barrier, nothing is going to climb the pole. Happy birding!
Try a DIY store or Garden centre or Lumber yard!
You could also use a Parasol base maybe?