How to Build a Homemade Squirrel Feeder Jar

Cut the piece of wood along the length so that every single piece you cut has a side that measures 5-1/2 inches. The lengths of the pieces are as follows: 16 inches for the back wall (A), 16 inches for the floor (B), 17-1/4 inches for the two side walls (C), 8 inches for the front wall (D), 8 inches for the roof (E) and the remaining for the supporting wood block (F) and the stopper wood block (G).

Cut the piece of wood 17-1/4 inches long into two pieces for the side walls. Cut at an angle so that the pieces will have one side that is 8 inches long and one side that is 9-1/4 inches long. The box will have a slanted roof to prevent rainwater from accumulating on top.

Take the piece of wood that remains for the supporting and stopper wood blocks. Place the widest part of the bottom of the jar on the edge that measures 5-1/2 inches long. Trace the outline of the half-circle of the bottom of the jar onto the wood. Cut along the curve. The half-circle will serve as the stopper and the other piece as the supporting wood block.

Lay one side wall on your working surface. Measure 3-1/2 inches from highest point of the slanted top and draw a circle with a diameter of 3 inches. Use a compass to draw the circle and cut out the hole. Repeat with the other side wall. Discard the excess wood from the hole.

Measure the radius of the jar's mouth. Lay the jar on its side and measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of its mouth. Add the two measurements and add 1 inch. Lay the front wall on your working surface and mark the measurement from the bottom of the board. Use a compass to draw a circle with a diameter that is 1/2-inch larger than that of the jar's mouth. Cut out the hole and discard the excess wood.

Hold the side walls up with their short side against the front wall. Drive in the 1-5/8-inch galvanized deck screws to keep them in place.

Lay the floor on your working surface. Place the front and side walls onto one end of the floor. Drive in 1-5/8-inch galvanized deck screws to keep them in place.

Place the stopper wooden block on the other end of the floor with the convex edge facing up. Measure 3 inches from the stopper and place the supporting wood block on the floor with the concave edge facing up. Use the 1-5/8-inch galvanized deck screws to keep them in place.

Lay the back wall on your working surface. It will also serve as the mounting board, so there will be excess area above and below the feeder. Place the attached pieces on the back wall, adjusting the position along the length of the back wall according to your preferences. Attach the back wall using 1-5/8-inch deck screws.

Lay the roof piece on your working surface. Measure a 15-degree angle on its back edge and cut it. This allows the roof to meet the back wall tightly. Place the roof on the slanted top of the side walls and attach the rood using 1-5/8-inch deck screws.

Mount the feeder on a tree trunk using 2-1/2-inch deck screws. Fill the jar with peanuts, cracked corn or birdseed and fit the jar into the hole in the front wall.