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Unbelievable! Squirrel got to the feeder



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Capt Kirk

Ohio, USA
Posts: 3317
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:12 pm   Post subject: Unbelievable! Squirrel got to the feeder


My bird feeder hangs from a piece of steel cable stretched 20 ft between 2 trees. It sets about 4 1/2 ft off the ground. It is a squirrel proof feeder, in that they can't get into it. I have one squirrel that can leap off the ground and catch the lower edge of the feeder and then lift himself up. He can't get seeds out of it except by shaking it. Then he leaps down and eats them off the ground.


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I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it.
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Capt Kirk

Ohio, USA
Posts: 3317
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:33 pm   Post subject:


He was just up there again! While I got his pic, my wife got him with the BB gun. So now he has been named Buttshot!




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Sherry8

Wisconsin...zone 4
Posts: 2423
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 1:46 pm   Post subject:


I hope if you have to kill him that you at least ate him. He is just trying to stay alive and they look for food. If their is no food, they will leave the area. Sad


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Bodhi

S. FL
Posts: 147
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:05 pm   Post subject:


Perhaps you could set up a separate feeder that also feeds the squirrels. Sherry8, i am in agreement with you Shocked


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Nichole
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toni


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North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11710
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:16 pm   Post subject:


Unless she was within 5 feet of the critter, the only damage she did to him was make his behind hurt for a bit and scared him away.

Capt. as long as you fill the feeders with sunflower seeds or other food they like they will empty the feeder no matter how 'squirrel proof' it is supposed to be. That's why I only feed Safflower seeds, the squirrels do not like them but the birds do. They cost a little more to begin with but not as much as having to constantly buy wildbird feed or sunflower seeds several times a month.


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Bodhi

S. FL
Posts: 147
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 5:03 pm   Post subject:


Captain,
We have made a feeder that is truly, truly squirrel proof, and it's been working for us for over 10 years.
We took a stainless steel pole that is about 18 inches in diameter, and about 5 feet tall; and placed a plywood 'plate atop.' The pole was of course, dug down into the ground. the feeder is placed onto the plywood platform. The squirrels cannot grasp the width of the pole, nor even dig grooves into it for a 'hold.'
they used to try, but could not even get their tails off the ground. they have not once compromised it in all these years.
We sprinkle some seed on the ground near the birdfeeder out of mercy for the poor things, and the lovely woodpeckers, finches and jays get theirs from the feeder. maybe you could use the same diameter in pvc, we were just concerned that they may be able to scratch into that and create grips. but it may be worth a try? Smile


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