How to Make Bird Feeders From Plastic Milk Jugs

Choose bird seed blends that are preferred by the types of birds in your area.

Welcome birds to your yard by placing out their preferred birdseed. Birds are beneficial in the landscape. They eat insect pests and provide song and interest to the area. A milk jug bird feeder is a simple project if you want to quickly erect a feeder or need a nature-oriented craft for bored children. Any plastic jug works as long as it previously held food items and not cleaning liquids, but plastic milk jugs are particularly easy to cut through and manipulate.

Things You'll Need

• Milk jug
• Utility knife
• Drill
• Twine
• Household cement
• Pie plate
• Rock
• Bird seed

Instructions

1. Rinse out a 1-gallon milk jug with hot, soapy water. Rinse away the soap residue with clear water and allow the jug to dry completely.

2. Cut a 3-inch diameter hole out of one side of the milk jug, approximately 1 inch up from the bottom of the jug. Use a utility knife to make a clean cut through the plastic. Cut a second hole out of the side opposite the first hole.

3. Drill a ¼-inch diameter hole on either side of the jug spout. Thread a 12 inch length of heavy twine through these holes and tie the ends together to form the hanging loop.

4. Spread a coat of household cement glue onto the bottom of the milk jug and apply a second coat to the inside of an aluminum pie plate. Allow the glue to cure and become tacky for 15 minutes or for the time recommended on the package.

5. Stick the milk jug to the pie plate once the glue cures. Place a heavy rock inside the milk jug to help weigh it down as the glue dries. Household cement usually requires 24 hours to dry completely.

6. Fill the bird feeder with bird seed up to the level of the 3-inch holes. Leave the rock inside, as this weights the feeder so it doesn't blow around.

7. Hang the feeder from a tree branch or pole. Birds stand on the pie plate rim while they feed from the milk jug.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint or otherwise decorate the plastic jug before hanging it outside.

• Use a sturdy plastic plate instead of a pie plate for the feeder base.

• Only adults should use utility knifes and power tools.

References

• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Growing Fruit: Bird Feeders for Flying Berry Eaters! Milk Jug Bird Feeder