Goodbye Boring Bird Feeders — The Adorable Idea You Can DIY With Milk Jugs
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Standard bird feeders are adorable when they're a hive of activity, but when your feathery friends leave, you're left with a plastic tube, suet-filled cage, or wooden hopper that does little for your backyard's aesthetic. Why not make a gorgeous DIY bird feeder instead? There are plenty of decorative options for sale online, but these can set you back up to $30 or more — and that's before purchasing wild bird seed mix. Thankfully, you don't need to break the bank to get an adorable bird feeder. In fact, the main components could be sitting in your refrigerator right now. Savvy crafter @Sunny took to TikTok to share how she turned empty milk jugs into an adorable mushroom-shaped bird feeder, and the results will have you considering the potential of these containers.
Assuming you already have a milk carton and milk jug, you just need a box cutter, paint and brushes, and jute rope. The bottom of the jug is used to create the mushroom's distinct toadstool shape, while the rectangular carton acts as the stem and seed dispenser. @Sunny strings a piece of rope through the bottom of the carton and up through the top of the "mushroom," then secures it to a hook. Simply lift up the toadstool when you need to refill the container. One commenter remarked, "Such a fun and unique feeder!" While there are mushroom-shaped products available online, none of them seem as large and eye-catching as this budget-friendly DIY feeder that will keep birds flocking to your yard year-round.
Tips for recreating this mushroom-inspired bird feeder
If you want to make your own mushroom-style bird feeder, there are a few necessary tips to keep in mind. First, make sure you rinse the cut-off sections of the milk jugs with water to remove any beverage residue. Allow some time for them to dry before adding the birdseed because leftover moisture could contribute to mold or bacteria growth and make the feed go bad. Next, use outdoor-suitable paint to prevent the surface from deteriorating and chipping off into the bird seed mix. FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint on Amazon comes in a range of colors, and each bottle averages around $5 to $7. This way you don't have to buy a $30 acrylic paint set.
@northwoodsfolk Milk Jug Mushroom Bird Feeder 🍄🕊️ I went a little extra on this one and made my own eco-friendly acrylic paint as acrylic paint is plastic. Plastic is impossible to avoid, but when it comes to things like crafts (unessentials) I like to avoid it when I can. This paint is from @naturalearthpaint and I can't wait to see how it holds up! I might touch up some spots, add some shading, another coat, and maybe some greens to the bottom of this tomorrow 🌿 Oh, and dowel through the bottom to make it easier to perch on 🕊️ Until then, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! If you enjoy it, it hold mean to much to me if you'd like, save, and share it ❤️
To optimize the design, make multiple cutouts on each side of the carton so more than two birds can access the feeder at the same time. In the video's description, @Sunny pointed out that she wanted to add a perch to the base to make it more functional for the birds. Consider poking one or two wooden dowel rods through the sides of the feeder. If they're long enough, you could poke them through the other side, thus creating two perches per rod. Another thing to consider is how weather-hardy the feeder is. One reason for a moldy bird feeder is if it's made of a moisture-absorbing material. Since the carton base isn't made entirely of plastic, there is the possibility that repeated water exposure could cause mold to develop. If you're worried about this, consider swapping the carton for a plastic jug that has a similar rectangular or cylindrical shape. These tips will help you ensure your adorable bird feeder stays functional for longer.