how do i make a pumpkin bird feeder

How do I make a pumpkin bird feeder?

• Cut the pumpkin in half.
• Scoop out the seeds, leaving a hollow inside with 1/2-inch thick shell wall.
• Insert two sticks across the open pumpkin to create perches for the birds.
• Knot two lengths of rope together at the center and tack the knot to the bottom of the pumpkin feeder.
• Fill with birdseed.

Full Answer

How do you decorate a pumpkin for a bird feeder?

For an elegant decoration both you and the birds will love, you can create a speckled sunflower pumpkin bird feeder, studded with sunflower seeds. Clean the outside of your pumpkin first, then sketch out any design you like – thin, delicate designs like lace, filigree, swirls, and outlines will work best.

How do you get birds to eat pumpkin seeds?

Just put the seeds in the oven and bake them for an hour or so at 250 degrees. Then you can put your baked seeds in the pumpkin for the birds to eat. Or you could just put bird seed inside, too. I chose to use a skewer (I cut it in half) because it has a sharp end and it sticks into the pumpkin nicely.

How do you hang a pumpkin from a tree with seeds?

Pierce a hole in the pumpkin half, at the opposite end from the pit. Gently loop the wire through and use this to hang your pumpkins from a tree branch. Holding the pumpkin half in one hand, gently tip a quantity of mixed bird seed into the pit. Gently release the pumpkin so it hangs freely but doesn’t swing.

Can I Feed my chickens pumpkin?

These birds are enjoying a pumpkin bird feeder that Allison, our art director, made after reading a article on how to re-purposed pumpkins. (You can also feed pumpkins to your chickens if there’s no mold.) Learn more and check out our article that’s linked in our bio here. #PumpkinBirdfeeder #Pumpkin #PumpkinFeeders. #RePurposePumpkins

How do you make a homemade bird feeder?

1:062:30How to make a Bird Feeder from a Plastic Bottle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAbout four centimeters above each perch. Use the drawing pin once again to make a slight hole. AndMoreAbout four centimeters above each perch. Use the drawing pin once again to make a slight hole. And widen it using the scissors. These will be the feeding holes which the birds can access the seed.

How do you make a simple bird feeder with waste material?

StepsCut a large hole in the center of one side of the carton, starting several inches from the bottom.Beneath this large hole, cut a small hole to poke a stick through. ... Cut two small holes on either side of the top of the carton to thread the rope or wire through.Paint and decorate your feeder.

Can you feed raw pumpkin to birds?

Raw pumpkin provides an excellent source of vitamin A and a minor source of vitamin C, making it a wholesome — if low calorie — addition to your birds' diet. The seeds pack a more significant caloric punch, because 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of kernels contains about 5 milligrams (. 00017 ounces) of protein and 21 grams (.

What birds will eat pumpkins?

Large seeds like pumpkin and gourd are particularly attractive to larger birds like blue jays, and best offered on the ground, on a large flat rock or on a platform feeder. Some backyard birds also will eat pumpkin flesh if it's opened and offered to them.

How can I make a cheap bird feeder?

A water or milk jug winter bird feeder is easy to make and inexpensive. Rinse out the jug, cut open the sides, cut or drill holes for a thin dowel or chopstick perch, add the birdseed and hang it in a tree.

How do you make a bird feeder out of toilet paper rolls?

InstructionsUse a popsicle stick or butter knife to spread vegetable shortening on a clean toilet paper roll.Roll the toilet paper roll on a plate filled with birdseed.If desired, string a loop of hemp twine through the toilet paper roll.Hang the toilet paper roll bird feeder on a bush, or slide it onto a branch.More items...•

Can birds eat pumpkin kernels?

Pumpkin seeds are highly nutritious for birds, particularly in fall when the birds need more energy to fuel migration, molt into winter plumage, and store fat to resist the cold. Pumpkin seeds are high in calories, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, as well as being a good source of protein.

Do birds and squirrels eat pumpkins?

“Squirrels, foxes, badgers and birds all enjoy them, so people could leave chopped up pumpkin outside in dishes for wild animals to eat if they choose. Wildlife can struggle to find food this time of year so some chunks of tasty pumpkin could be very welcome.

Can birds eat oatmeal?

Porridge oats could also be a nutritious food source for the birds in your garden, and chances are you'll have them readily available in your kitchen. However, ensure the oats are uncooked as cooked oats could harden around a bird's beak.

What part of pumpkin do birds eat?

Learn how to grow pumpkins. This simple design will attract a variety of garden birds, which can nibble at the exposed pumpkin flesh as they dine on the seeds. This simple design will attract a variety of garden birds, which can nibble at the exposed pumpkin flesh as they dine on the seeds.

What do you do with old pumpkins after Halloween?

8 Ways to Reuse/Recycle Pumpkins After HalloweenCompost your pumpkin. Pumpkins are 90 percent water, meaning they break down quickly. ... Make a pumpkin planter. ... Make a pumpkin feeder. ... Leave pumpkin seeds for wildlife. ... Plant pumpkin seeds. ... Cut into pieces for wildlife. ... Roast pumpkin seeds. ... Make pumpkin serving bowls.

What is eating my pumpkins at night?

Squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and even deer have been known to chomp down on these fall fruits! Nothing is worse than carving your perfect pumpkin, only to find it's become a midnight snack for your natural neighbors.

How to make a pumpkin bird feeder

Making a pumpkin bird feeder is simple – all you need are a few household items to transform your Halloween jack-o-lantern or porch decoration into a festive feeder for the birds!

Step 1: Prep the pumpkin

Cut a lid out of the pumpkin around the stem and use a large spoon to remove the pulp and seeds from the inside of the pumpkin.

Step 2: Cut the pumpkin in half

To create a wider base so that more birds can feed, cut the pumpkin in half around its midsection using a knife. If using a larger pumpkin, you may need to make the cut below the midsection so that the interior isn’t too deep.

Step 4: Create the hanger

Using durable rope, string, or ribbon, cut four equal lengths and thread them through each hole. If your pumpkin is lighter in weight, you may thread two equal lengths through two holes. Tie all the lengths together at the top.

Step 5: Create drainage

Poke several small holes in the bottom of the pumpkin to allow for water drainage.

Step 6 (optional): Add perches

Small birds are capable of perching on the rim or hopping inside of the pumpkin to feed, but to accommodate larger birds, you can insert sticks or dowel rods around the top of the pumpkin to provide additional perching spots.

Step 7: Fill with seed and hang

Finally, fill the pumpkin feeder with bird seed, pumpkin seeds or dried corn and hang it for the birds to enjoy!

Step 1: Find a Pumpkin

Perhaps you have one just lying around. Any pumpkin will do, really. For the sake of time, I'm using this little green pumpkin.

Step 2: Cut a Hole Out of the Side and Clean Out the Guts

Remember to cut a hole out of the side of the pumpkin. You'll want to keep the stem attached so you can hang it later. You should save the pumpkin seeds for the birds, however, you may want to cook them first. Just put the seeds in the oven and bake them for an hour or so at 250 degrees.

Step 3: Stick a Stick Into It and Hang It

I chose to use a skewer (I cut it in half) because it has a sharp end and it sticks into the pumpkin nicely. However, you may want to choose something a little bigger. A wooden chopstick, plastic fork or knife would work too. To hang it, I just got some string and made a simple knot and tied it around the stem of the pumpkin.

Benefits of a Pumpkin Feeder

These are a quick way to support the winter chirp-chirps in your local area or birds migrating through your neck of the woods. Birds migrate for many reasons, it may be to move to a warmer climate, for mating, or due to lack of adequate food sources.

What Food To Put In Feeder

In the northern U.S., winter can see some extreme temperatures. This makes insects and food much more difficult for migrating and permanent resident birds to find. When making a DIY bird feeder, you will want to be thoughtful about which feathered friends may be in search of food, and what those birds eat.

Repurpose Your Jack-O-Lantern!

You can easily repurpose your Halloween jack-o-lantern by turning it into a bird feeder provided the pumpkin is not rotted or decorated with unsafe accents. If you used a real candle to illuminate your jack-o-lantern, be sure to scrape away any wax or blackened areas on the flesh first.

DIY Pumpkin Bird Feeder Vase

For an even more festive option, turn your pumpkin into a bird-friendly feeder bouquet.

Speckled Sunflower Pumpkins

For an elegant decoration both you and the birds will love, you can create a speckled sunflower pumpkin bird feeder, studded with sunflower seeds. Clean the outside of your pumpkin first, then sketch out any design you like – thin, delicate designs like lace, filigree, swirls, and outlines will work best.