external seed hoppers/feeders, do they work?

bohnnco · Post by **bohnnco** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:49 am

Hi,

Sorry for all the posts, I am obviously new to this. I have seen a few tubular seed feeders that have the tube on the outside of the cage with the seed cup on the inside, the idea obviously being that you don't have to open a large door to feed. This could solve the problem of finding a cage that works for me that has no feeder doors. If anyone has these, do they work? I have had similar feeders in my yard and they tend to clog.

Thanks,
Brett

Post by **Sally** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:11 am

I have not used the tubular seed feeders, so I can't speak for them. I do use the tubular waterers, and have no problems. I use the seed hoppers for my seed--you can hang them inside the cage, or outside in a proper-sized door opening. They will hold enough for up to a week, depending on how many birds are in the cage, but the little catch tray underneath for the seed hulls has to be emptied more often than that. I love these seed hoppers, less mess and waste, and I could go out of town for a couple of days and not have to worry. The only time I had one clog was when I got infested with seed moths, and the webs created clogs, but now I either freeze the seed or treat it with orange oil and haven't had seed moths in ages.

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:05 am

I use seed and water tubular feeders in all my breeding cages and the work great.

I still change the water every day and once a week I empty the seed tube and wash and disinfect it.

Just a tip: Don't keep the water and seed stations too close to each other as spilled water clogs the seed.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:39 am

I am with Sally....I love the seed hoppers for all the reasons she mentioned.

jabo322 · Post by **jabo322** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:37 am

Sally wrote:... I either freeze the seed or treat it with orange oil and haven't had seed moths in ages.

How do you treat the seed with orange oil? I freeze the seed for my finches, but I buy 40-50 lb bags for the wild birds that I keep in a metal can outside. Yesterday I had to toss about a 3rd of a bag because it was infested with some sort of tiny brown weevil.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:54 am

Some people add a little orange oil directly to the seed, but the thought of trying to stir up 50 lbs. of seed sounds like too much work to me. I get orange oil at the health food store, put about 6 drops on a cotton ball, then I put the cotton ball in one of those cheap disposable plastic storage containers (1 cup size) with holes punched in the top. It seems to work.

I also found some storage containers at my local feed store. I have no idea who makes them. They are made of white plastic, round, about 1 1/2 feet across and a little over a foot deep. Once you put the lid on, you secure it with a plastic sealing ring, so the top is on very tight, and it keeps out all kinds of critters, ants too. I use them for dog and cat food, seed, anything I want to keep clean. I can't remember what I paid for them, but think it was about $5 each.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:51 pm

Orange oil i had never heard of, I had a BAD moth infection finally got rid of it and now see a few coming back, HATE them buggers,

Ive tried the airtight containers and all, Cant freeze seed as I bought 25 pound is the smallest bag.

jabo322 · Post by **jabo322** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:34 pm

Maybe I should buy a chest freezer to keep my seed in.

I'm pretty sure my husband would think I had finally gone off the deep end, lol.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:36 am

Jabo322.....I have my fridge full of birdie veggies and other goodies...AND I have lots of seed in the freezer. I mark everything that is for my birds. My Hubby comments on there's more Bird food than people food in there...hehe!