How to Build a Bird Feeder With Copper Tubing

Use scissors or a wire cutter to cut a circle out of plastic mesh that will fit across the large opening of the funnel. It is important that you use plastic mesh instead of wire mesh, as birds' feet could get caught in the wire mesh. Place aside.

Bend the copper tubing so that you make a circular base a little smaller than the mesh circle. The rest of the copper tubing should be standing upright while the circle rests on the table or other flat work surface.

Insert the straight section of the copper tubing through the funnel to measure how long you need to cut the copper tubing. To measure correctly, place the large end of the funnel on top of the circular base of the copper tubing, and make sure that a few inches of copper tubing sticks out of the small end of the funnel. Cut off the excess copper tubing from the straight end (not the circular base) with a wire cutter or saw.

Drill a hole just below the straight end of the copper tubing. Cut several inches of hanging wire and thread it through the hole. Tie the wire in a loop if you will be hanging your bird feeder from a nail, or leave it untied if you will be hanging it from a branch.

Mix together the birdseed, whole wheat flour, gelatin and water with a mixing spoon in a large bowl. When finished, add the molasses to the mixture and stir thoroughly.

Place the funnel upright sitting in a small bowl. Dump the bird seed mixture into the funnel, using the spoon to compact and smooth the top of the mixture in the funnel.

Put the copper tubing through the center of the circular plastic mesh. Push the copper tubing and the plastic mesh down through the center of the funnel. Press the large end of the funnel, the plastic mesh and the copper tubing so that they are all flush together. The straight end of the tubing will stick through the small end of the funnel.

Pick up the funnel, plastic mesh and copper tubing and place them in the vase, making sure to keep the large end of the funnel facing up. Let this sit overnight.

Remove the funnel from the vase, turn it over and gently press the seed mixture out of the funnel from the small end. Make sure to keep the copper tubing and plastic mesh intact.

Hang the bird feeder in your yard making sure the small end is up. If you did not tie the hanging wire, be sure to secure it to whatever you are hanging your bird feeder on.