Know Your Bird Feeders; Part 2

Article by: Ronald Patterson

In my last article, I mentioned the popularity of tube feeders and what to look for.

Other feeders like hoppers and platform feeders serve a purpose and need as well. Today I will discuss platforms and what to look for in a quality platform feeder.

A platform feeder is self describing. It is a platform made of wood , How to Plant Spring Flower Bulbs or screening with four sides about two inches high. Platforms usually sit on four legs or some are hung by a cord or metal , Painted Adirondack Chairs-The Perfect Addition to Any Home or Garden chain.

Platform feeders serve a purpose and can attract the greatest variety of birds , Wedding Flowers and other wildlife. , Why Teak Furniture is the Better Choice Squirrels, deer, chipmunks, rabbits and mice find grazing on your birdseed as easy pickings and will continue to return.

Platform feeders are open to the elements where seed , Patio Chair Covers can get wet and buried in the snow. , How to Plant Spring Flower Bulbs

Platforms require more frequent cleaning as seed , Growing Asparagus can sprout and mold quicker. Not to mention that birds , How to Attract s to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 will hop around in the seed, , Which of the Hundreds of Tomato Varieties Should I Plant? often leaving a calling card. Others birds , Start Planning for Your Backyard Water Garden or Pond hop in and peck around, eating seed , Bring the Smell of Nature into Your Home with These Fragrant Flowers and other birds , Which of the Hundreds of Tomato Varieties Should I Plant? droppings.

To many sickness and diseases , Teak Patio Furniture Is The Perfect Choice For Your Terrace are passed this way, that is the main reason for keeping a platform feeder clean.

I personally put less birdseed out and clean it every other day

What to look for when you are ready to purchase or build a platform feeder.

Look for durability. Is the feeder made of recycled plastic? If it is wood, , Growing Asparagus is it made of cedar or redwood. Anything less wont do. Recycled plastics , Benefit from the Expertise of a Landscaping Contractor will last a life time. Redwood and cedar have their own anti bug and anti rot chemicals built in so they too should last for years and years if taken care of properly.

Look for or build with these quality products , The Difference Between Large and Small Ponds and make sure it is held together with stainless steel or zinc coated screws. , Garden Statuary - Time for a Fresh New Look Regular screws , Painted Adirondack Chairs-The Perfect Addition to Any Home or Garden will rust away and staples will pull out leaving your feeder a crumbled mess.

Are you planning on hanging your platform feeder? Make sure it has a stainless steel or powder coated chain. Cords will rot and can be chewed off.

Most important of all, is a screened bottom. Anything less will not do. My platform has a removable screen. A screen I can slide in and out. A screened bottom allows for drainage after a rain. It also allows me to remove it to scrub and sanitize as often as needed. Cleanliness is important.

Are you going to paint , Caring For Your Juniper Bonsai or stain your platform feeder? If you chose to do so, be sure to use a water , Caring for Your Garden Furniture base paint , Garden On The Cheap or stain. Oils can penetrate birdseed or rub off onto feathers and brought back to nests.

Birds and small wildlife , Growing Asparagus are more susceptible to predators when feeding from a platform feeder. Placement of all your feeders should be close to protection. Place , Growing Asparagus feeders near your trees , Discount Patio Furniture with Patio Chair Cushions is a Smart Choice and shrubs , Find Peace And Happiness Through Gardening for protection, yet in a place , Discover the Art of Topiary where they are easy to get at and enjoy.

Always use a quality feed for your birds. , Growing Asparagus

To sum it all up. You want a platform built to last and with a screened bottom or platform. Taking that extra time or dollars to buy or make your platform feeder is worth it in the long run.

Ron Patterson has been feeding and caring for wildbirds for more then 40 years. His experience of caring for birds , Discount Patio Furniture with Patio Chair Cushions is a Smart Choice and owning his own wild bird , Start Planning for Your Backyard Water Garden or Pond specialty store prompted him to become a Michigan Certified Nurseryman. As a nurseryman, he know what and where to plant , Patio Chair Covers to attract more birds , Garden Water Feature - The Fish Dish to your yard. , Discount Patio Furniture with Patio Chair Cushions is a Smart Choice As one of America's backyard , How to Build a Shed birding experts,Ron has a weekly newsletter called "Backyard Birding Tips" you can find Ron at http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/ Email ron@backyardbirdingtips.com

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Know Your Bird Feeders; Part 2

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