How often will I have to refill this feeder on average if I have a fair number of birds in the area and what cost would that entail?
1834515
Across a year I buy four forty pound bags of sunflower seeds. They cost about $25 per bag. That is enough to fill my two Brome feeders for the year. In the winter I'll mix in a little cracked corn.
1834516
I fill mine about once a week but I could easily fill twice a week. The feeder is empty for a day or so before I get around to refilling it again.
1834517
I fill the feeder 2-3 times a week. I used to use only sunflower seeds but now I mix regular bird seed into, makes it a little cheaper.
1834518
The feeder holds 3 quarts of food and I fill it once a week. I have set it so that large birds like starlings cannot feed from the feeder. Not sure on cost I have never calculated that but knowing it is 3 quarts to fill should help you estimate that answer.
1834519
I fill my feeder about once a week. The cost will depend on the type of bird food you use. A 20 pound bag will last 2-3 months.
1834520
Not trying to sound obvious, but it depends on the number and type of birds. My feeders in Houston draw Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Jays and Woodpeckers - hungry birds, plus lots of Sparrows and Carolina threshers. I have to refill the feeder about every 5 days with this crew. My feeder in Brenham also draws lots of birds, but smaller ones, and I only have to refill it every 7-8, sometimes 10 days. In the winter months, it will have to be refilled more often, of course.
1834521
I have to refill it daily. I have tons of House Sparrows, House Finches, Common Grackles, Red-Winged Blackbirds, and the occasional squirrel who tries to grab the feeder and then bounces and falls off. They eat from dawn to dusk. I usually use black oil sunflower seed exclusively in this feeder and mixed wild bird seed in the standard buster. I have to refill that one 3 times a day which is why i purchased this larger one.
1834522
I fill my feeder about once a week especially during the coldest months when it is visited by many birds (I live in CT). Cost would vary depending upon how much seed you buy at a time and, of course, where you buy it. A 40 pound bag of wild bird seed ranges from $14.00 to $20.00 at Home Depot. You can spend much more than this if you buy so-called "gourmet" or "special blend" food but I just buy a mix of sunflower and other seeds. This bag lasts quite some time.
2250762
It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you may attract them to your area by planting some milkweed or composite plants. It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you... » Read More It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you may attract them to your area by planting some milkweed or composite plants. « Show Less
460866
I have not had the feeder long enough to give you an honest answer. My best suggestion would be to call the manufacturer.
1055601
It takes awhile for the birds to find the feeder. I think it took about 1 week. If it's in a spot near cats/dogs, the birds will avoid it.Also, I don't know where you live, but I'm in Chicago, and with the below zero weather even the birds didn't show up.
1078091
Compared to other feeders we have had the fall through is minimal. We have numerous types of birds at our feeders and fine that it is only when the large birds invade such as crackles or cow birds that we have much of a problem and it is still less than any other feeder we have had. Love our No/No feeders!
1280661
We have mostly sparrows that get in to the feeder at the moment, but not having had it that long, I'm not sure. We will get Cardinals later on, so will have to see if they can get in through the holes. The feeder is wonderful, and may have to get another one, as we have a smaller one, but the birds ignore it. It might be worth trying it, as other small birds would love it anyway.
2027711
It does take a while for the birds to figure it out, but they will. I found that it is easier if you use the "no waste" seeds such as sunflower chips instead of the ones with the shells. In the long run it isn't any more expensive and you don't have any mess under the feeder. Also, you might put some seeds on the tray to get more birds in and looking around. Hope this helps.
1288683
I'm in the northwest and it hasn't really gotten above 70 yet so I change mine about every 6 days. At that point there is typically a very small amount left in the bottom. Not anything that makes me think I'm wasting nectar or they're unable to reach it; I'm sure more evaporates when it's warmer. This is by far the most reliable and easy care feeder I've had.
1535520
I've had great results with this feeder and very little waste. I would recommend this feeder to you.
2250758
It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you may attract them to your area by planting some milkweed or composite plants.
759762
If the wind blows the large nut that holds the cage to the rest of the feeder may come loose. The feeder holds enough to last several days if you have active birds.
2263946
In addition to keeping the moat filled with fresh water, remember to empty, thoroughly clean, and re-fill the feeder with fresh nectar according to the product instructions. I've found this does not allow the time for too many ant invasions. :-)
328057
i dunno go to drollyankees.com and ask or 800.352.9164 customer service, good luck droll .... is the best feeder - we have 8
649807
I don't know that I can give you a technical answer to this question, but I have it on every day for about 8 hours or so for the chickens and my water bill has increased about $5-8 a month. I think it really depends on where you live and how expensive it is in general. I live in Glendale AZ, but in Phoenix it might be more expensive.
2267460
It takes the birds a few days to figure out how to fly into the feeder. I put sunflower seeds and millet in mine. I also add a mix every once in a while. I get lots of birds.
341099
It just takes a while. I think mine hung out for a month before birds started using it. Not all birds are upside down feeders. I have lots of woodpeckers in my area.
1831351
Feeder isn't small. The way they're built, you'll still have a mess. Feeders are built with the birds in mind not for tidiness.