Placement of Bird Feeders

After several seasons of moving our feeders around, trying to find a spot less convenient for squirrels, we thought we'd finally found the right place: in the middle of our dogs' run. The fence and deck are far enough away so that the little furry moochers can't jump onto the feeder. We also hung the hummingbird feeder in the same area. However, we're wondering if maybe that's not a good spot--will the birds be turned off by the dog scent, even when the dogs themselves are not out there? If yes, we'll continue our search for a better spot.

I finally purchased a couple of squirrel-proof bird feeders that seem to work. At least so far, so good. I've seen squirrels and chipmunks checking them out but so far the amount of feed seems to be holding. The weight of a squirrel will close the feeding ports but the weight of the birds isn't heavy enough to do that.

BrachGirlNJ,

I'd say give it a try for awhile, watch how the dogs react to the situation. If they go after the birds, I'd move the feeders to a different spot. In our case, the only time our dog was a threat to the birds is when one fell out of its nest too soon and he got it. Oh, I was miffed... Birds can smell, but they do not relate it to predators. They use their other senses to let them know of a possible threat.

I hope this spot ends up working for you.

Chillybean, thank you, that's reassuring that it may work out. We don't know anything about birds except that we enjoy seeing them, and this spot is a perfect vantage point, right out the kitchen window. Just this morning we were watching a beautiful female cardinal (we looked it up to confirm that's what she was). We know if the dogs are out the birds will be scared off; at least we can see them otherwise. Thanks for your input!

CVille, our feeders and bird houses are made by my father-in-law and they are so unique and cute (and of course sentimental) that we want to use them instead of store bought. We do have those plastic rounded thingys under the feeders but the squirrels are rather acrobatic so those things don't always work. They leap from the fence and somehow balance long enough to reach the feeder. So far this spot in the dog run, too far from any critter launching spot, seems to be working pretty well. Thanks for your suggestion, though--much appreciated!

Our enjoyment of the birds began with a simple milk jug feeder. One of the children just had to know the names of all that visited, so we began identifying them. We've expanded our feeders quite a bit and now are striving to make our property a refuge for birds and other wildlife.

My in-laws have a feeder like CVilles with a baffle above it, but their squirrels are pretty smart. They cannot get a lot of seed, but get a little to drop to the ground.

Your feeders sound special and am glad you are able to use them.

My kids had outgrown the sandbox so I had moved the bird-feeder into it. Sheltered against a Southeast facing wall it was sheltered and the birds liked it. The dogs did not deter the squirrels - once the squirrels found it, they would wait for the dogs to be inside and go to the feeder. The fact that I was feeding a mix with peanuts in it probably encouraged them. If the dogs spotted them out the window, they would rush out the dog door and chase them off - but they waited and returned.

Now I have a grandson and I am turning the sandbox back into a sandbox. I have moved the feeder outside the fence. The baffle keeps the squirrels off the feeder, but they still hang around underneath. The birds do not like this location so well - I think perhaps they just aren't used to it.

I do not know why the picture keeps flipping sideways - it looks fine before I load it.

This message was edited Apr 19, 2016 7:31 AM