Customer Reviews

Heritage Farms Bird's Choice Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Last one lasted us ten years and five drops by a raccoon that figured out how to lift it out and get to the food. The sixth did it in. This one is getting a lock and clip. Figure that one out buddy!

We got this feeder not because of the squirrels but due to Grackles (an annoying, gluttonus large black bird whose feathers look purple or blue in the sunlight they're so dark). Those stinkers were sticking their beaks in and raking a bunch of seed out onto the ground for their buddies who were waiting. They'd empty a regular feeder of 2 lbs of seed in less than an hour! This feeder comes with the spring on the tightest setting, supporting the most weight. Move the spring to the next hole over until you find the right spot for you. For us, we wanted a cardinal or smaller to be able to use it, but not the grackle or larger. No problem whatsoever. After a week of trial and error, those pesky grackles were mightily confused when they landed and the food was cut off!

I have watched dozens of squirrels try to get in it, and none are successful. Most slide right off the roof. We had mounted it on a tree where the cats could see it, so the hanger wasn't an issue. If you have highly gymnastic squirrels, you're going to want to get the one on the post so there's no hope of hanging from back legs over it. I went to Wild Bird's Unlimited and their suggestion was to only feed safflower. Which on the surface seemed to solve the problem, but is three times more expensive than the custom mix I do, and I want there to be something for everyone in there.

Seriously, this thing works...

We purchased this product to replace another squirrel-proof, metal-construction product of a similar design that had finally worn out after about 15 years. This one won't last that long.

First, the metal is a lighter grade.

Second, the bracket for overhead hanging is attached to the housing by tension of the bracket only. It's come loose twice already as a result of squirrel activity on the roof. It will be necessary to attach the hanger to the housing with the addition of metal brackets and screws or bolts.

Third, the closing of the feeding tray is controlled by a flimsy spring on each side. The springs can be changed among three placements to accommodate different bird weights but still close on the weight of a squirrel. One of those springs has come loose once, requiring a resetting.

Fourth, large holes were created in the sides of the metal housing to provide slots for attachment of the hanging brackets and spring adjustment settings. These holes are large enough to allow leakage of small seeds, and at least one on each side is large enough to provide temptation for squirrels to work on getting larger sunflower seeds through the slot.

The first truly squirrel-proof bird feeder we owned had a counter balance on the side opposite the roost for accurately adjusting the tension on the closing mechanism. That concept was much better than the use of the springs here.

This unit does have the advantage of a metal perch for the birds. The roost on the older unit we had was made of wood and had to be replaced twice in its 15-year life, but overall this "squirrel-proof" bird feeder is a poor design.

I intend to look for a better one.

An update: I installed brackets to secure the hanger. Then, using an assortment of machine bolts, washers and nuts, I secured the chosen tension setting and filled all six holes in the side of the bird feeder. Hopefully, it's now squirrel-proof. Time will tell.

Unlike the reviews below, this feeder has given us excellent service. I purchased this for my Mother to use. Her backyard is Squirrel Central and she is always on the lookout for a feeder for feathered critters, not furry ones.

This feeder is very easy to fill and to date no squirrels has been observed successfully getting any seed out of it. Which isn't to say they don't try, but so far their schemes have failed them. The saga continues....

It's really amazing how your seed cost goes down when only the birds are dining! I am very pleased with this feeder. I'm glad I chose this color, since the birds stand out on it much better than any green feeders I have. Very attractive with its copper roof. I'm getting another. Don't be discouraged, because it takes awhile for the birds to give it a try, but they catch on.

In more squirrel news (they don't go away just because they can't get in!) I recently bought a water gun - one of the big pump action models, and use it to scare squirrels when they come around. This is great fun, hurts no one, and makes the feeder area a much less desireable location for furry creatures. Birds only, thank you!!

I've had this feeder several years. While I haven't noticed the squirrels getting into it like the reviewer above, I have had a problem with the feeder being balanced to the rear. This effectively pushes the seed away from the opening after the birds eat everything they can reach in the opening, making it necessary for me to go and shake the seed toward the front way too often. I have several other feeders of this type which are much more satisfactory. On the plus side, the birds like eating from it.

We don't have squirrels, so we just got this as a large hopper feeder. We've had it for a year now, and it's done pretty well. It keeps the seed dry, and holds a ton. The position of the perch bar also prevents the birds from pooping in the food. I have noticed that when it gets down to about 1/3 full, it needs a little shake to move the seed forward (ours is just sunflower; smaller or rounder seeds would probably flow better). Even with a few dozen regular customers, this is only once or twice a month though. We mounted ours on an aluminum post meant for chain-link fencing, which has worked quite well. Whatever support you use, it will need to be pretty sturdy.

Our main customers are house finches and gold finches, and some other common finches or sparrows that I haven't been able to identify. In the fall, Chickadees and nuthatches also visit. Juncos usually like to pick up the leftovers on the ground, but we've had one or two clever ones figure out where all that seed was coming from.

My squirrels saw through this feeder in a matter of days. They hang off of the side, so that their weight doesn't tip the feeder, and then they eat till they are full. There are also larger cracks in the side that allows them to get at the seed. Its a nice feeder, but it doesn't keep the squirrels out.

I got this for my Grandmother. The setup was fairly simple, though changing the sensitivity might be a bit hard for some very young or very old users. Loading new feed is very easy, and construction is great. Squirrels have so far been completely thwarted. Highly recommended.

Worthless, as is. There are three holes for adjusting the spring tension on the bar. These are large enough for squirrels to eat from all day long. Solution: Simply put a galvanized or stainless steel bolt, washer, and nut through the holes, all three on each side. (They will fit if you pry off the metal flaps for the holes you don't use, and work the bolt in the hole that supports the spring tension by prying the flap up a bit and then back down.) Then you are good to go. Squirrels will climb up any length pole you will use, or jump onto it. It seems to be squirrel proof once these large holes are capped off.

Update: Worthless even after plugging the holes. The squirrels simply perch on the top of the pole and reach under the bar from below (in the space between the feed and the bar), grab seed with their hands/claws, and munch all day. The Squirrel Wars continue. Darn furry rats!

Can't tell you how much feed I've wasted in this feeder. Finally just threw the feeder away. The squirrels just land on top of it, hook their foot on the hanger, lean over the side and put their other foot on the seed port (totally bypassing the door that's supposed to close). Then they lean in and gobble up the seed. In addition, the raccoons get on top of it at night and shake it until all the seed just falls out. I've tried adding a dome over the top, a longer hanging arm so that they have to jump father to get on top of it, a lighter setting on the counterweight (which meant it closed when the birds alighted on it). Nothing has worked. The squirrels simply outwit this feeder which totally defeats its intended purpose.