what prevents birdseed from spilling?
1319758
It has a plastic regulator that limits seed to opening. It is very functional.
1319759
There is a plastic "tray" that sits in the bottom of the feeder. THis lets seed gradually fill the four feeding slots. However, bird seed does spill out a little when more active birds feed - finches, grackles etc.
1319760
There is a plastic baffle. I have two of these feeders. They're fine for something as small as sunflower chips but when I use millet for the buntings, it does have a tendency to overflow - I can't put in more than an a few inches of millet at a time.
1319761
there's a baffle that distributes the seed evenly among the 4 ports and also a slight lip that keeps it from just spilling out. Works very well
1319762
Hi Cathy~Inside the tubular feeder, at the very bottom where the ports are, is a baffle - prob not visible in the photos, but looks kinda like a pinwheel - with 4 hopper-like dividers that distribute the seed fairly evenly to the 4 feeding ports without allowing over-spillage. It also helps keep the majority of the seed from becoming wet by only allowing a certain amount at the ports at any one time from being vulnerable to wind driven rain. As far as I'm concerned the design is almost perfect for a medium capacity pole mounted feeder. Pretty squirrel proof. Easily cleaned. Resistant to most weather events. Buy it. :-D Hi Cathy~Inside the tubular feeder, at the very bottom where the ports are, is a baffle - prob not visible in the photos, but looks kinda like a pinwheel - with 4 hopper-like dividers that distribute the seed fairly evenly to the 4 feeding ports without allowing over-spillage. It also helps keep the majority of the seed from becoming wet by only allowing a certain amount at the ports at any one time from being vulnerable to wind driven rain. As far as I'm concerned the design is almost perfect for a medium capacity pole mounted feeder. Pretty squirrel proof. Easily cleaned. Resistant... » Read More Hi Cathy~Inside the tubular feeder, at the very bottom where the ports are, is a baffle - prob not visible in the photos, but looks kinda like a pinwheel - with 4 hopper-like dividers that distribute the seed fairly evenly to the 4 feeding ports without allowing over-spillage. It also helps keep the majority of the seed from becoming wet by only allowing a certain amount at the ports at any one time from being vulnerable to wind driven rain. As far as I'm concerned the design is almost perfect for a medium capacity pole mounted feeder. Pretty squirrel proof. Easily cleaned. Resistant to most weather events. Buy it. :-D « Show Less
940235
Actually, what we use are black oil sunflower seeds. Definitely for Chickadees, one of my wife's favorite birds!
2205397
I haven't had a problem with wet seed. This is an excellent feeder. The interior is divided into three sections/sides which helps keep seed flowing freely
153746
No, I just let it fall to the ground. Other birds clean it up. Thistle seed sold for feeding birds is processed so that it does not produce plants.
1511114
i have tried a lot of different seed. 1. sunflower words well but makes makes mess as does golden safflower seed or niger seed. 2. with inexpensive seed mix there is a lot of millet which many birds ignore so the feed tray will fill up with seed and shell no one eats. 3. I use something called meaties. it costs s little more ususally but birds like it and less mess.
589684
Try utilizing a large aluminum pie tin fastened to the lower perch. To be frank, nothing works 100% because the seed hulls will be blown out of the pie tin even under the slightest of wind. You can also try an artificial grass mat directly under the feeder to trap the hulls, shaking it out every few days. Good luck!
1318329
I have a plastic guard over it so it doesn't get wet and the seed ruined. No squirrel problems whatsoever.
1327965
...interesting question. If you were pouring finer bird seeds, such as millet or niger, the larger funnel in this set would work... However, these funnels are relatively small and I don't believe they'd work for normal wild bird seed mixes (those with corn, sunflower seeds, etc.). In general, I'm not terribly pleased with this set of funnels... they're of poor quality. I would look elsewhere.
418954
It can be tricky. I pull the top up and to the side so that the top is partially open. Then I balance it against something so it'll stay standing up and fill it from a bag. Creating a funnel out of paper might help. This is my second birdfeeder. I always seem to manage.
210353
Not that I have experienced, I use black sunflower seeds and some always fall on the ground when refilling, Mine is at eye level which for me would be about 5 feet. Really no way for the squirrels to access it, once or twice when I've been out there filling it up the squirrels have come up and said hello :) and scampered across my bare feet.
4100
Tons? If you are feeding sunflower seeds the birds are indeed de-hulling them and spitting out the hulls. You may have better luck with black oil sunflower seeds. If you are feeding a mix birds will often discard the millet in favor of the tastier seeds. I have had squirrels jump on the feeder spilling some seeds but they soon get discouraged. This is one of the hazards of bird feeding. If the discards are edible seeds be careful that this does not attract rodents.
908268
I'm also facing this problem because of the snow and ice that accumulate and keeps the birds from getting to the seed. I'm thinking about buying "L" shaped aluminum pieces about 1/2" X 1/2" by 2 ft and screwing them to the corners of the base and attaching a piece of colored plexiglass to the "L" piecing using corner brackets. I think a colored cover might be easier for the birds to see; they might fly into a clear cover. To keep larger animals away I use an airsoft BB pistol that my grandson gave me! I have to wait until the weather warms up before I can build anything; it's -20 F outside and +10 F in my garage. I'm also facing this problem because of the snow and ice that accumulate and keeps the birds from getting to the seed. I'm thinking about buying "L" shaped aluminum pieces about 1/2" X 1/2" by 2 ft and screwing them to the corners of the base and attaching a piece of colored plexiglass to the "L" piecing using corner brackets. I think a colored cover might be easier for the birds to see; they might fly into a clear cover. To keep larger animals away I use an airsoft BB pistol that my grandson gave me! I have to wait until the weather warms up before I can build... » Read More I'm also facing this problem because of the snow and ice that accumulate and keeps the birds from getting to the seed. I'm thinking about buying "L" shaped aluminum pieces about 1/2" X 1/2" by 2 ft and screwing them to the corners of the base and attaching a piece of colored plexiglass to the "L" piecing using corner brackets. I think a colored cover might be easier for the birds to see; they might fly into a clear cover. To keep larger animals away I use an airsoft BB pistol that my grandson gave me! I have to wait until the weather warms up before I can build anything; it's -20 F outside and +10 F in my garage. « Show Less
620980
I don't think so. It spills when reloading. I have found too much seed all over the ground after a few days up for finches.
560565
It looks like there are some small holes on the bottom of the feeder tray. But, if they do go all the way through, they are already so clogged that they won't offer any significant drainage. Honestly, this thing is on the small-ish size - it holds about a quart of seed. I find that during the busy summer days the birds completely empty it every day, so there really isn't too much time for the seed to rot. That might sound like a negative comment, but I think the birds get fresh seed this way. Just remember to put it in an easily accessible location because you'll need to take it down to refill it. It looks like there are some small holes on the bottom of the feeder tray. But, if they do go all the way through, they are already so clogged that they won't offer any significant drainage. Honestly, this thing is on the small-ish size - it holds about a quart of seed. I find that during the busy summer days the birds completely empty it every day, so there really isn't too much time for the seed to rot. That might sound like a negative comment, but I think the birds get fresh seed this way. Just remember to put it in an easily accessible location because you'll need to take it down to... » Read More It looks like there are some small holes on the bottom of the feeder tray. But, if they do go all the way through, they are already so clogged that they won't offer any significant drainage. Honestly, this thing is on the small-ish size - it holds about a quart of seed. I find that during the busy summer days the birds completely empty it every day, so there really isn't too much time for the seed to rot. That might sound like a negative comment, but I think the birds get fresh seed this way. Just remember to put it in an easily accessible location because you'll need to take it down to refill it. « Show Less
741727
Birds love this feeder, but many seeds fall to the ground as they eat and squirrels sit below and eat the spill from the ground. I've had to remove the feeder because squirrels are still an issue. HELP!!
620979
By "spillage" do you mean seeds on the ground? There are seeds but not an over abundance. Please let me know if you need more information. Best.
2148624
We had a problem with the rain getting the bird seed wet and then it caked up so that the seeds behind would not flow down. I put an extension of 3 inches on the roof and that has helped keep the seeds dry. Our squirrels can't get the seeds anymore so that part is working great.