Steel pail feeders

[Matzwd]

Has anyone tried using steel 5-gallon buckets for the hanging feeders with eye bolt in the bottom? We love these feeders made with plastic buckets, but the squirrels have been chewing through the lids. I can't keep up with the cayenne pepper. It rains, and then they start chewing the rims again. We have had feed ruined because of rain leakage through the chewed bucket lids as well. I'm tired of replacing feeders. I've ordered the steel buckets. In just wondering if anyone has tried using them with good results.

 

[reddogmaster2]

Steel buckets should work and a .410 works wonders on squirrels!

 

[Matzwd]

The steel buckets are here and have been made into feeders. The squirrels definitely know when I'm sitting out there waiting for them and don't come anywhere near. We might have to trap before "pelletizing."

 

[Tre3hugger]

The steel buckets are here and have been made into feeders. The squirrels definitely know when I'm sitting out there waiting for them and don't come anywhere near. We might have to trap before "pelletizing."

Would love to see a pic of the feeder!

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

The steel buckets are here and have been made into feeders. The squirrels definitely know when I'm sitting out there waiting for them and don't come anywhere near. We might have to trap before "pelletizing."

I know it’s been awhile but I’m considering the same,,, how did you cut your hole in the bottom of the metal bucket? How’s it working out? Thanks!

 

[saysfaa]

The person you are asking hasn't been here lately. I don't have a feeder like that it is just a hole. It shouldn't be much different than the holes I put in steel 55 gallon drums used as burn barrels. A standard drill people usually have around the house works. The hardest part is catching or picking up the shavings. A piece of cardboard for most of them and a magnet for the rest works well. If you put a piece of paper over the magnet, you don't even have a clean the magnet.

 

[Al Gerhart]

You pay for a treadle feeder even when you don't have one.

We just did another redesign on our feeder so it will defeat squirrels even if there are quite a few of them around which is rare. The old design could get overwhelmed with five or six tree rats.

What we did was add another spring and move both springs to the door pulling directly up and removed the 2# counterweight as all it did was balance out the weight of the treadle and wood step. The springs are adjustable by removing the front cover, you can even use just one spring or we left the spring adjustment holes for the old spring location which means even more adjustable range.