How to Make Gourd Bird Feeders

Bird feeders come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. They are available commercially, or you can make your own. Most store-bought feeders are plastic or wood. However, the different shapes and sizes of dried kettle gourds make for a natural bird feeder for your yard. Instead of spending a lot of money purchasing a premade feeder, make your own for less money using a dried kettle gourd and a drill.

Dried kettle gourd
Mild dish soap
Dish-scouring pad
Dishtowel
Drill
Hole saw
Metal spoon
1/4 inch dowel rod
Darning needle
Twine

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the outside of the kettle gourd using mild dish soap and running water. Some kettle gourds have a discolored, mold growth on them. Use a dish-scouring pad to remove this mold. Scrub until the surface is smooth. Some color discoloration may remain. Dry the gourd using a dishtowel.
- 2
  Drill a 1/8-inch hole at the top of the gourd, in the neck. Place a second hole opposite the first.
- 3
  Drill four 1/8-inch holes in the bottom of the gourd for drainage.
- 4
  Drill a hole for the 3-inch hole in the side of the gourd for the entrance hole using a hole saw.
- 5
  Clean the inside of the gourd using a metal spoon. Scrape the walls to remove the fibers. Discard the innards.
- 6
  Drill a 1/4-inch hole below the 3-inch hole. Insert a 4-inch-long dowel rod through the hole. Press it through so that 1 inch is inside the gourd and 3 inches are outside. This creates a perch.
- 7
  Thread a darning needle with a piece of 18-inch-long twine. Feed the needle through the two holes in the neck from Step 2. Remove the needle. Tie the loose ends together. Hang the gourd on a tree branch.
- 8
  Fill the inside of the gourd with your choice of birdseed.

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