Peanut Bird Feeder

Have you ever tried attracting wild birds with a peanut bird feeder?

Meaty, nutritious peanuts will be eagerly accepted by many of the backyard birds visiting your wild bird feeders. Woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, creepers, titmice, and wrens are among the wild birds attracted by peanuts.

The peanuts that I use are out of the shell and roasted without salt. If you choose to leave the peanuts in the shell, you are likely to attract only crows and jays. Peanuts left in the shell are just too big and cumbersome for most birds to crack open. Peanuts offer a great high-protein meal for wild birds in the winter.

Many birdseed stores now sell raw, shelled peanuts in bulk. If you can't find peanuts in a birdseed store in your area, try buying the cheapest unsalted roasted cocktail peanuts (sold in cans or jars) at your local grocery store.

Peanuts should be checked often for signs of black mold or darkening in color. In hot, wet weather they can be subject to mold and may become rancid. Put out only as many peanuts as the birds will eat in a few days, if the weather is warm and damp.

Peanuts can be offered in wire mesh tube feeders, in mesh bags, or in platform bird feeders and hopper bird feeders. There are several styles available on the market but here is peanut bird feeder that you can easily make yourself.

Materials Wire Mesh (one quarter inch hardware cloth) (2) Plastic Peanut Butter Jar Lids Plastic Zip Ties Short Piece of Wire of Chain
Tools Wire Cutters Drill Drill Bit
Process Measure across the inside of the peanut butter lids. Then roll a piece of wire mesh to match the diameter. Cut the wire mesh one half-inch larger than needed. Overlap the edges and attach with the zip ties. Drill five holes in the edge of one of the plastic lids and six or more holes in the bottom for drainage. Attach the bottom using the zip ties. Drill one hole in the plastic lid that will be used for the top. Use a small piece of chain or wire to secure the lid to the feeder.
Now attach the rest of the wire or chain at the top for the hanger. Now fill your new peanut bird feeder and watch for the wild birds to come flocking to it. I hope you enjoy building this. Please try one of my other backyard bird projects.