Platform Ground Bird Feeders

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Platform ground bird feeders are a type of tray or platform feeders. Platform feeders are basically flat, slightly raised surfaces where you can spread bird seeds. They are very easy to make and are one of the most popular feeders. A disadvantage of this type of feeder is that they are not squirrel resistant. They also donÂ’t have any protection against the weather. A good kind of platform feeder should have holes for drainage and should be easy to clean. Cleaning this type of feeder should be done regularly. Bird droppings should be removed and only a dayÂ’s worth of bird seeds should be set out.

Platform bird feeders that are used as ground feeders are simply screen-bottomed trays that rest a few inches above the ground. The screen bottom helps keep the seeds from coming in contact with bird droppings. These feeders typically attract ground feeding birds. This feeder caters to birds like doves, goldfinches, cardinals, towhees and other sparrows, also larger birds such as jays. Ground feeders largely prefer white proso millet.

Making this type of feeder is quite simple. Platform ground bird feeders are usually made of wood and have simple designs.

Here is a free plan on how to build your own bird feeder:

Materials:
- Table saw
- Miter saw (power or hand saw can also be used)
- Push blocks
- Metal screen (12 1” by 18 1”)
- Board (26” 1 x 12)
- Board (36” 1 x 3)
- Dowel (3/8”)
- Measuring tape
- Hammer
- Drill; (cordless with 3/8” drill bit)
- Saber saw or Jig saw
- Nails
- Clamps
- Pencil
- Compound Level
- Safety Goggles

Steps:
1. Mark and measure the 1x12 board to cut the parts of the feeder. Make two pieces cut to 13” lengths to form the supports or end pieces.
2. Mark and measure the 1x3 board to cut two pieces of wood, 18” in length each. These will be used for the side pieces.
3. After carefully measuring and marking the boards, cut the pieces of wood with a power or hand saw using the marks you made as guides.
4. For the support legs, measure and mark positions 3” from each side of the 1x12 pieces. Using the angled section of your compound level, make 45 degree angle marks for the wedge shaped sections that will be cut from the midpoint.
5. Cut out the angled portions using your jig saw once both pieces have been marked.
6. To accommodate the tray, make grooves on the sides by setting the fence on the table saw to 1 3” away from the blade, with the blade raised to 3/8”. Cut out a 3/8” groove along the top of the two ends and the two sides. Cut the groove at about 1 3” from the top edge. You can use the push blocks as guide for this step.
7. Measure a 3/8” hole at 6” and 12” along the length of the side portions. These holes should be made under the groove that was cut. Drill out the holes. This will hold the dowels to support the screen bottom for your feeder.
8. Fasten the long side sections to one of the end pieces using nails. Insert the dowels between the side portions.
9. With the dowels in place, put the screen into place by sliding down into the groove.
10. Nail the second end section to the other end of the side sections.
11. Your feeder is now complete. Choose a suitable location and fill with mixed seed or white proso millet. Set your feeder outside and wait for the birds to come.

Contact Information

Email: enquiries@allbirdfeeders.net

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