Hi, I just received this squirrel proof bird feeder. How do I open it up to get the suet in?
930207
I bought this for my husband, and he does all the feeding. I think you unscrew the center top and lift if off. If that doesn't work, email me back, and I'll ask him how it works. Thanks. Diane. Email me at ddw@srt.com.
930208
The top by the hanging ring screws off so that the entire top of the feeder comes off making filing quite easy.
930209
The top of the feeder were the O ring is unscrew's. My 90 y/o Father in law can do it!!
930210
remove the cover by unscrewing the knob---the small woodpeckers love it and the larger woodpeckers cling to the outside and can reach the suet by stretching their necks----it's the best!
930211
Unscrew the hanger loop, there is a threaded insert under the roof that attaches the lid and the cage together. Several turns will release the roof to insert the suet into the cages. To avoid small birds getting trapped in the inner cages (which happened to us), cover the top of the inner cages with a mesh structure (such as gutter guard or metal window screen), if it is the same width as the outer cage it won't be able to shift around.
1243455
I actually bought the feeder as a gift for my brother, and I don't believe he has mounted it yet. I also believe that he eventually intends to wire hang it, so I guess I can't be that much help. What I can tell you is that the feeder is very handsome, and appears to be well made (despite some comments I had read from other buyers who thought it was flimsy). As someone who has been feeding birds my whole life, I was struck by the unique architecture and one of a kind look of this feeder. Very different design and very pleasing to the eye. I personally think it would look just fine on a post mount, as long as you protect the feeder from squirrel attack! I actually bought the feeder as a gift for my brother, and I don't believe he has mounted it yet. I also believe that he eventually intends to wire hang it, so I guess I can't be that much help. What I can tell you is that the feeder is very handsome, and appears to be well made (despite some comments I had read from other buyers who thought it was flimsy). As someone who has been feeding birds my whole life, I was struck by the unique architecture and one of a kind look of this feeder. Very different design and very pleasing to the eye. I personally think it would look just fine on a post... » Read More I actually bought the feeder as a gift for my brother, and I don't believe he has mounted it yet. I also believe that he eventually intends to wire hang it, so I guess I can't be that much help. What I can tell you is that the feeder is very handsome, and appears to be well made (despite some comments I had read from other buyers who thought it was flimsy). As someone who has been feeding birds my whole life, I was struck by the unique architecture and one of a kind look of this feeder. Very different design and very pleasing to the eye. I personally think it would look just fine on a post mount, as long as you protect the feeder from squirrel attack! « Show Less
1182137
We had an old wooden bird feeder that fell apart from the rainy weatherMy husband was able to salvage part of the base and then attached the metal one to the wood and tgen to the tree. So maybe if you could attach it first to a piece of wood that would help. Rayofjoy25@gmail.com
1950196
Unfortunately starlings were still able to stick their heads in just far enough to reach the suet in mine. It really needs to be an inch or two larger in diameter. However, to fix it I put the suet a little higher in the cage (put a small piece of wood under it to raise it an inch or less) and then put only one suet cake in it. On the side which had the suet cake I put a piece of wire across each cage square. You could also use small zip ties too. Kind of a pain but it worked very well. My Carolina Wrens zip right through the cage openings on the other side of the feeder and hop over to the suet. Unfortunately starlings were still able to stick their heads in just far enough to reach the suet in mine. It really needs to be an inch or two larger in diameter. However, to fix it I put the suet a little higher in the cage (put a small piece of wood under it to raise it an inch or less) and then put only one suet cake in it. On the side which had the suet cake I put a piece of wire across each cage square. You could also use small zip ties too. Kind of a pain but it worked very well. My Carolina Wrens zip right through the cage openings on the other side of the feeder and hop over to the... » Read More Unfortunately starlings were still able to stick their heads in just far enough to reach the suet in mine. It really needs to be an inch or two larger in diameter. However, to fix it I put the suet a little higher in the cage (put a small piece of wood under it to raise it an inch or less) and then put only one suet cake in it. On the side which had the suet cake I put a piece of wire across each cage square. You could also use small zip ties too. Kind of a pain but it worked very well. My Carolina Wrens zip right through the cage openings on the other side of the feeder and hop over to the suet. « Show Less
218897
The screen doesn't come out. But it doesn't need to. I just flip it over and tap on the bottom to dump the leftover seed out. The birds pick through it on the ground. Most of what I find leftover is seed casings. If I had to clean it, I would just run the hose over it. I haven't found anything in the tray that is nasty; no poop. Its hung from the bottom of the deck above my patio. The squirrels can't get to it and the birds like it. I love this feeder. Its made of plastic so it won't rot like wood.
695204
Do you use the little rubber lock? I just asked someone else where the rubber thing they mentioned worked so great. Maybe they mean the little center thing on top of handle. No instructions came with this one at all. I have an idea this would work better up North when it snows than in Fl and birds can not get to fields and seed elsewhere. We are going to try it. Lot of money if does not work. Appreciate your recent reply and help. I tried that rubber nut and it works. Hope squirrels leave it alone and do not chew it off. I have a stainless steel one coming for the larger birds then I am finished. Can put away my open wooden one which the squirrels swing on every morning. Do you use the little rubber lock? I just asked someone else where the rubber thing they mentioned worked so great. Maybe they mean the little center thing on top of handle. No instructions came with this one at all. I have an idea this would work better up North when it snows than in Fl and birds can not get to fields and seed elsewhere. We are going to try it. Lot of money if does not work. Appreciate your recent reply and help. I tried that rubber nut and it works. Hope squirrels leave it alone and do not chew it off. I have a stainless steel one coming for the larger birds then I am... » Read More Do you use the little rubber lock? I just asked someone else where the rubber thing they mentioned worked so great. Maybe they mean the little center thing on top of handle. No instructions came with this one at all. I have an idea this would work better up North when it snows than in Fl and birds can not get to fields and seed elsewhere. We are going to try it. Lot of money if does not work. Appreciate your recent reply and help. I tried that rubber nut and it works. Hope squirrels leave it alone and do not chew it off. I have a stainless steel one coming for the larger birds then I am finished. Can put away my open wooden one which the squirrels swing on every morning. « Show Less
1256429
the bird feeder is metal. The seed is held back by a clear plastic panel. I have had the feeder for approximately one month and the squirrels have not been able to get to the seed at all. They have only been able to get to the top part of the feeder and then they give up.
213274
Hi- Instead of hanging the seed ball by the S hook, I hang it by the "handle", the thing that looks like an upside down goal post. I then thread the S hook through the small, circular tab on the lid, then I thread the S hook through one of the very small circles at the bottom of the "handle" or goal posts, finally securing the tip of the S hook into one of the holes in the actual feeder or ball. This has worked without fail, as I have seen squirrels try to get into the feeder, even knocking it to the ground but the lid has always stayed secure. Hope this helps you.
1196796
My husband always fills it but he said u line it up by looking at the bottom of the bird, shut the lid and turn the bird to lock it down. Hope that helps.
1368287
There are wingnuts on the bottom that can removed to disassemble the feeder. Should provide convenient access.
1195520
The top can be a bit tricky to secure at first, but if you take a look at the little opening it is somewhat sideways. The weathervane fitting slides in at an angle. Then you twist it so that it locks in. The little bird ornament will face sideways. I practiced a few times lining up the top to the feeder. Make sure when you put the top on the feeder the weathervane is at an angle - about 30 degrees. It really does work well once you get the hang of it and that's what makes it almost impossible for racoons and squirrels to open.
1608842
We have three models of the Brome Squirrel Busters. They are designed for particular seeds. The finch style has small slits that the small birds use to extract a thistle seed. No larger seed could come through the narrow slit. For the black oil sunflower seeds, we use the classic style (1015?). It has a larger opening that allows the seed to drop down to the bottom of the enclosed opening for the bird to reach inside and extract the seed. This one is designed to hold the sunflower seed so it doesn't tend to spill out if the feeder is swinging (in case you have squirrels). We don't use thistle seed in the classic. The larger birds would throw it out. There is a new model called the peanut that is designed for clinging birds. We use the Birdacious Bark Butter Bits (a suet nugget) rather than peanuts. The tiny wrens, black caps, and all sizes of woodpeckers use it. The manufacturer has very helpful videos to help birders learn about the designs. We love these three designs and they are easy to fill and clean (as long as you watch the video first!)
1708483
I've had squirrels get in mine, but nothing has ever happened except for eating all the food. Never chewed on the feeder. I've also been putting peanuts out to keep them away from the bird seed.
1539198
No reason at all Mine has been up all winter in very cold weather with a much heavier feeder and a squirrel trying to get to the food. No problem with it at all. Go for it!
418956
Top is held in place using a spring. While holding the side of the feeder with one hand, Pull the top up and to the side.
1053005
On one end of the wire create a knot. Then slip the other end up through the hole. Then, make a loop to hang the feeder from. Or, do what I did and return it because it's hard to hang and impossible to clean. There's a better one that has a red base and white flowers that comes with an S hook.
1708479
I have had squirrels come into the feeder and eat the birdseed, so I started getting raw peanuts in addition to birdseed, but they have never chewed on the feeder itself. I also had to weight down the stopper which started blowing off in high winds, but I just put something heavyish on top, or you could create a hinge out of duct tape or something like that. It is wood, so it will expand and contract slightly with differences in temperature.