A simple cedar tray feeder that hangs from a branch. A good rainy-afternoon build with kids.
How many feeders?
feeders
This fits in a car
About 28 lb of materials. Comfortably inside what a car carries (200 lb), so any shopper can take it. ⚠️ 3 items on the list have no weight on file, so the real load is a little heavier than this.
Before you start
Sand every edge before small hands handle it. Use cedar, not pressure-treated wood, for anything kids touch and near bird food. A grown-up runs the saw and drill, and hang it from a sound branch or hook so it cannot fall on anyone.
It lands in the shopping form, where you can edit anything and say what you think each thing costs. Nothing is ordered until you send it.
How it goes · about an afternoon · beginner
Cut two 12 in lengths of 1×6 for the base and four 12 in lengths of 1×2 for the rim, with the grown-up on the saw.
Sand every piece, then screw the rim around the edge of the base, leaving a small gap at each corner so rain drains out.
Drill a few small holes in the base for drainage too.
Twist a screw eye into each corner, hook on the chain, and join the four lengths at a split ring.
Hang it from a branch about 5 ft up, near cover but at least 10 ft from anywhere a cat can hide, and fill it.