Seemed this may would prove to be a mighty worthy subject to address ... Geez, we've all got our 'druthers', don't we ?!?
I'm sure many of us would like to share some insight into which brand/type we each have used or favored over the years .. and the ad/dis-advantages of each.
Heck, even the size 'quantity' ranks much importance ...
I'm most curious (& simply canNOT be by myself here!) .. of any folks that have 'constructed' their own .. or, even found that some particular brands need a wee bit of modification .. and/or repair !!
For so many of us have had to devise some way or another .. to ensure thorough cleaning of the bottles. (Of which I've found can, and are .. very difficult!!)
We've had to modify a baby bottle brush .. by adding some length onto the handle .. to ensure that every crook and crany is clean!! It does the job fantasticly, and makes it far easier too!! hee hee I'll submit the pic a bit later ...
Please, share the wealth of info ...
Hummer Feeders!! Brands & types we favor & use .. ?
I don't have anything to input as I'm still in hummer preschool. I have learned that my 2 feeders are very hard to clean. Looking forward to your pic. And maybe learn sumpin.
I prefer the saucer type feeders. There is no bottle to scrub or nooks and cranies for mold to hide in. Just take the top off and rinse.
Sandy D,
Where do you purchase feeders like that? I have never seen one. I am about due to add another feeder and this one looks very nice. Thanks, Chuck and Loida
Like Sandy, I prefer the saucer feeder.. easy to clean and maintain and the food stays fresher a bit longer as it isn't cooking in the clear glass all day. I use little pipettes to clean the feeding holes with. NEVER use any dishwashing liquid.. just hot water and elbow grease.
I prefer the saucer types too. I have 3 Humzingers (8 oz. 3 port kind, but they make bigger ones.) They can also be put in the dishwasher. They clean easily, I use cotton swabs to clean the holes. I have a chameleon that drinks out of the ant trap on one of them. He and the hummers have an ongoing battle as to who 'owns' the feeder. I got them locally at a Wild Birds Unlimited.
I perfer them also, Got mine at a local farm and ranch supply. The one I have has a clear base and colored top. That way I can monitor the liquid level.
The one pictured is by kfeeders. The others with the clear bottom are humzingers. Just do a google search for aspects hummingbird feeders.
After admiring them here, I bought a saucer a couple of weeks ago and am thinking it is not too good for southern CA. They built the whole town on an ant hill. Even with the water moat, the ants are the worst I have ever seen on this feeder. They tromp over the bodies of their fallen brethern and overtake the feeder in no time. It is very easy to clean, I will admit, but I will not buy another one.
frogrus,
Do like alot of people do and put an antrap on top. I make them out of tops from spray cans. They have to be the ones with the extrs cap inside so you can drill trough it,and the big part hold the water. Best of all it's free, and easy, and it works.
yep.. it sure does (spray paint can top)
SandyD, MzMunchken, got pictures?
Imway2dumb,
read the male ruby throat thread the first pic. shows one in use.
ok, gotcha. Seems simple enough. "A picture is worth a thousand words"..... Thank you.
The water moats do not work around here. They jut wait until there are enough dead floaters and go their merry way. A girlfriend just told me that she saturates cloth with bug spray and then wraps it at the top of the hook-make sure it is not dripping! I tried this and it is working so far. I put some on the base of the butterfly feeder too and the ants are now avoiding it. Hooray!!
frosrus,
If it's that bad than I wouldn't use this type of feeder. Never would I concider using any kind of bug spray. Who knows what just the fumes alone could do. What if a bird or butterfly landed on this cloth? Sorry but to me this is a bad idea.
I use the kind that hold about a pint of food, I change their food often and clean with just water. on real hot days I change and clean them more often to keep the food from going bad . Is it me or are there a lot of hummers out this year?
SandyD, amen to that! But, how would a repellant like Off work I wonder?
Now, it haint nuffin' purtee mindja ... but a lil ingenuity can go a long way .. to aid in getting into some of those wee tiny small mouth hummer jars and bottles!!!
Tah-dah!! Here's my marvelous 'wonder hummer container cleaning tool' !!! (say THAT fast 5 times!) LOL
.. just try to overlook all of the shoes in the picture!! (.. the back of my sofa was the only place it seemed I could get the doggone brush .. to 'show' up !!) .. ha!
Oh my ... Doesn't the 'thumbnail' here .. (on first glance!) .. make ya think, that it's one of the older type of 'domed' lid bar-b-que thingies ??!!??
.. LOL LOL ..
It works ... And, I can bend the brush in such ways to enable thorough cleaning of the sides of the jars also!
Get yours .. while they're 'on sale' now .. at .. (LOL LOL)
Wanted to mention that I use a little bit of bleach and dish liguid in the hottest water I can possilby stand .. to thoroughly clean the bottles (glass & plastic) and the plastic feeder 'tray'. The bleach ensures that any and all build up and whatever molds that may possibly exist - are removed and cleaned! Naturally, everything is well rinsed before filling again, too. I do this most faithfully, during these very warm and sometimes humid days of summer!
I've found .. that sometimes, even after needing to re-fill any of my quart bottles after only a single days' time - that the heat and sunlight exposure, can truly do a number on the mixture! I can open them to clean, and sometimes find it's a wee bit slimey 'mess' that has accumulated. Find it's well worth the extra precaution in using the bleach in cleaning ...
You forgot to add that the bleach is also an disinfectant. Kills mold and bacteria intheir tracks! :)
why thank ye thar 'imway' !! .. 'Preshiate it bunches! hee
I have a clear plastic "cup" filled with water that hangs between the feeder and the hook. No problem with any bugs (except bees sometimes) and the other birds sit on the edge of the cup and drink water. Got it at the wild bird store here. Works great.
Can you get the saucer type feeder in large sizes? I hate cleaning mine with a bottle brush.It is just the standard type. I also have a blown glass feeder but it is also hard to clean. Does anyone know about young Rubythroat hummers?
Does it take two years before the male has a red throat?
Teresa in KY
Male Ruby's will have a complete red throat their 2nd yr. When they return next spring, that would be considered the 2nd yr. They go thru a molting process in late winter or early spring before arriving back in the states.
We have hummingbirds all year long and with 3 feeders around the house I've happy hummers in the hundreds all the day long. Over the years I've been frustrated by the commercial feeders - especially cleaning those ridiculous yellow plastic flowers!
Last year I finally found it -and no removable plastic blossoms. Plus its all made from recycled materials which is a big plus in this house.
It's a small operation in Poteet, TX. No website, but they do mail order and I'm sorry I don't have a picture. The insect barrier is a used plastic film container with a small hook. You just put a little vaseline in it... the rest of it looks similiar to others, but the red tray the bottle goes into has tiny ports already in it so you don't need those plastic blossoms.
If you're interested here's the # 1.800.772.3604. He's friendly and will answer any of your questions. Prices, I think, are inexpensive: Red Bottom tray $6.50. 32 oz Bottle $4.50. Port brush $1.00. Insect barrier $4.00.
Here's to happy hummers! Bye for now
Thanks for the info. I knew there had to be a better feeder somewhere. That would be awesome to have them all year.
Teresa
Karuna, great post! Will call him asap. Thanks for the info.
the thread "Counting hummers we go!!" has photos of the one I described above. I think they were taken by "Magpye".
Here's a few pics .. of some of my hummer feeders; those still in use, and one or two that have gone by the wayside ... for one reason or another ...
This is relatively easy to clean, although it's a very small mouth .. the design of the glass bottle makes it easy to get everywhere and clean thoroughly. Especially with my new 'wonder hummer container cleaning tool' (modified & extended baby bottle brush)! hee
The bottom two parts just snap apart .. and super easy to clean. The little yeller flowers are just painted on. The hummers love these. But geez, for holding a mere quart - they don't last long before time to fill again!
Found them at a Farm Feed & Seed store ... only identifying marks are the letters & words .. ' BPC Chattanooga, TN ' .. on the bottom of the red plastic tray.
Just sure wish the various manufacturers would make the bottle 'mouths' just a bit larger!!
Colors are absolutely no issue for the hummers around here. Heck, the hummers would come and feed at these little beauties regularly! But, are a proverbial pain to clean! The large 'body' of the plastic bottle, made it very difficult to clean ... And with the little tiny bottom trays and perches, seemingly so close ... just didn't offer any assurance in trying to clean them. So, they've been put out to pasture for a couple of years .. (unless the dire need arises)! hee
Now, THIS one .. I just wish that I could find at least a half dozen (or more) .. to purchase and hang!!
Found it during a visit back down south, to Louisiana .. at another one of those feed & seed stores. The only one they had in the store, and it had a tiny little part missing. Had it priced @ about $25 .. I nagged the dickens out of the lil store clerk, till she went and asked management .. if I could have it for half the sticker price .. and, they agreed !!
We brought it back and we got 'er fixed up, filled, and hung the next day!
The design is that of plastic tubular/cylinder .. with one end being the 'bottom' of the jug, the other end is completely open .. with NO 'mouth', so to speak! You just slip the bottom tray down onto it, and then .. it 'seats' .. and then, just give it a 'twist' .. and it's fastened!
Holds about 3 quarts ... and is SO easy to clean! I, and even the hubby .. can stick our hands with our sponges into this one and clean it with such wonderful ease!
Believe the name on the side of it is ' Perky-Pet'. I have found the manufacturer on-line, but have been unable to spyball this particular feeder!!
I'll bet some of you, have thot I've been pullin' your layg .. about the amount of shuga-water I've been preparing every few days -?- Here ya go ... See!!
Pic #1
The amount of shuga-water I've been preparing every few days -?- .... Pic #2
Ended up being 3 1/2 gallons! After it cooled .. I filled the plastic jugs, and
put it in the fridge, ready for use .. first thing in the mornin' ...
I believed you magpye, I believed you!
After seeing SandyD's feeder I went to Lowes and they had this. The Ruby guys like to sit. This holds 6 guys and 16 oz. of nector . The top pops on and off all plastic and it has a moat that you put vegetable oil in , not water. PICS!
Side shot.
This is the box. $9.98 Sweeeeeeet!
They also had a big bottle one like Magpye's . I thought since I don't get a lot of them this little one would make it easier for me to shot their pic. The big bottle one was $14.98, not bad ,easy to clean and fill. There is a Lowe's almost everywhere. Check it out. Tomorrow it goes online! We shall see. I got this today.
Beautiful pic mont!!
Ahh, those little tiny feetsers of the hummers ... You do put the 'flowers' back
on, ever so often .. so they can actually rest sometimes, 'ey? hee
Nice feeders! I've been reading about those posted above. Do look to be ideal little ditties!
Are you saying you saw the big BIG'un there @ Lowes - like I've got? If so, looks like I'm
gonna hafta plan a 'trip' to check out our 'local' Lowes - an hour & 1/2 away!! Hee hee
The Lowes here had it. I was looking at it. I thought no ,I have one or two little friends not the army you have. The one I got is ready to go in about 30 minutes I will know if it works.