How to easily make your own DIY bird feeder pole from an inexpensive piece of EMT pipe.
I've wanted a bird feeder for our back deck ever since we moved into the cottage so I could do some bird watching.
The hubs wasn't interested in having one (he didn't want to spend $$ on a feeder and food). So, instead of waiting for him to change his mind, I went out and got supplies myself.
Supplies to make a bird feeder pole for under $5
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- ¾" x 10' EMT (electrical metallic tube) conduit
- conduit bender
- drill
- hook
- screws
The bird feeder and all of my other supplies were easily found at the hardware store but I wasn't crazy about the bird feeder poles that they offered. They were all pretty short and skimpy, plus they cost more than I wanted to spend. It took me a hot second to decide that I needed to find something else to make my own pole, and spend less money, so I searched the aisles.
It didn't take long to find exactly what I needed in the electrical section, a 10' piece of ¾" EMT conduit. I could make the perfect DIY bird feeder pole with it and it was super affordable at just under $5.
One issue though, was that the conduit was straight and I needed a bend in it so I could hang my bird feeder. We don't have a conduit bender at home so I borrowed one from the store and put a quick little bend in it.
Once I was home with my new bird feeder and pole, I quickly got to work hanging it. First I drilled a hole in the curved end for my hook.
Next, I used a spade bit to drill a hole in the deck railing, making it just large enough to fit the pipe in.
I snaked my conduit, or feeder pole, into the hole and added 2 screws at the bottom to secure it to the deck.
I hung the hook in the hole I drilled at the end of the conduit, and hung the filled bird feeder on that.
Easy peasy...and less money than a regular bird feeder pole. Not only was my bird feeder going to feed my feathered friends, but I was going to be able to see them up close and right outside our window.
I was worried about the birds wanting to come so close to the house but, when I came back to the yard after putting my tools away, I already had a visitor. Less than 5 minutes after it was up!
I really enjoy watching all of the different birds come to visit and trying to identify them all. The hubs has also been enjoying it, just like I knew he would.
And then there were squirrels...
It didn't take long for the squirrels to come calling so we scrambled to find a solution.
It took us three tries but we finally found a way to stop the squirrels from climbing the bird feeder pole. Now my feathered friends can eat uninterrupted from those nagging squirrels.
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Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows says
Love this idea! Watching the birds is always fun. My husband is in charge of filling the feeders all year. I'm happy to let him do that and to watch the birds that come and go.
Kristi says
Thanks Stacey! We're having fun watching the birds and I like that the feeder right outside our dining room window. 🙂
carol bittner says
It's such a good feeling to 'make' an item for yourself. Saving a bunch of money is a great plus. I recognize your conduit feeder pole because we have several made just like you did yours. I loved seeing (and reading your post). Nothing better than watching those pretty lil birds eating from a feeder in your own yard; one of my favorite ways to relax!
Kristi says
Great minds think alike. 😉 It was such a simple project but it gave me the size pole I needed so I could put the feeder closer to the house. Plus I saved some money. That's always a good feeling.
Thanks so much for stopping by Carol!
Debbie Halcomb says
Wow, love your idea for the bird feeder. Watching birds is a relaxing thing to do.
Kristi says
Thanks Debbie! I have been enjoying it and find myself checking it often. I just wish I would have put one up sooner.
Mary Beth says
You are so creative! What a wonderful DIY.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Mary Beth. 🙂 It's a simple project but it gave me exactly what I needed to do some birdwatching. 😉
MaryJean says
Hello Kristi, First, thanks for having the link party! Second, you didn't mention if you have problems with squirrels. It doesn't seem like they could climb that pole, but I've seen some very ingenious squirrels! The wildlife is the biggest problem in my backyard. Having a woods so close to the house and being, I would say, sort of rural brings many animals to our yard and my gardens. Since I got a dog through the deer have stayed by the edge of the woods. Before they would come right up to my patio. I stopped with the bird feeder because the squirrels would tear it apart trying to get to the birdseed. With the many hickory nut trees here you would think they wouldn't be interested! LOL
Anyway, let me know if it is squirrel proof, that might be a good way to hang a feeder. I did enjoy sitting in my kitchen watching the birds come to feed before the squirrels would get to the feeder. ?️
Kristi says
Thanks so much MJ, I'm glad you enjoy visiting the other links.
Actually, the squirrels have not bothered the feeder at all. I've caught one on the deck a couple of times but they haven't attempted the climb. I'm not sure if it will stay that way but right now it's strictly a bird feeder. I'll let you know if the status changes. 😉
Michelle says
What a wonderful idea! We have a lot of finches in our area and I hang out feeders for them. I have them hanging in a tree now, but I'd love to get the feeders closer to our house so we can see them better. This is the perfect solution! Thank you for sharing it! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks so much Michelle. I wanted to be able to watch the birds right outside our window so this was the perfect solution. The only problem is that now I want more. 😉
Pat M. says
A really great inexpensive way to feed the birds - and don't you just love Cardinals??? I have several feeders, and while the squirrels eat more than their share, I've decided to not stress about who gets what. I just keep them stocked with bird food and enjoy each and every critter who comes to eat. My birdbath, that I can't seem to keep filled due to evaporation in the summer, has become the squirrels' shelled corn feeder, which goes a long way keeping them from the bird feeders. The ground feeders around the spilled-out seeds are also interesting - raccoons, possums, chipmunks and turtle doves, who don't like to perch on a feeder because they are heavy birds and not very coordinated. I don't see deer because I have two dogs, but the dogs and the small wild animals have grown to respect each others' space and I don't try to control nature, so all are welcome. There are also community cats that I try to keep so well fed that they leave the birds alone and so far have been successful. It's like my own little non-petting zoo and I love each and every one.
Kristi says
I do love the cardinals. They are ruling the roost though and scaring other birds away. I had a beautiful blue jay visit and Mrs. Cardinal went right after him. Haven't seen him since.
Wow, it sounds like you do have a little zoo there. It's fun welcoming and watching wildlife. I'm trying to make friends with our squirrels but they want no part. I had a squirrel friend in Chicago that came to the door when he wanted a nut. He even took it out of my hand. Not here though. They won't give me the time of day. Lucky for them...I don't give up easily. 😉
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your wildlife adventures. 🙂
Kristi Dominguez says
Oh my gosh...I love that you were able to capture that sweet Cardinal coming to your bird feeder for a snack! What a great project, too...we're bird nerds and would love something like this.
Kristi says
He is always there so I can get tons of photos. Not sure what I'll do with them but it's fun. I like that they're right outside my window so I don't have to put my glasses on to see them. 😉
Kim says
You're so crafty. We have tons of birds but no feeders. We used to have kitties and I was afraid to feed the birds. It felt like I was baiting them. Perhaps now we should!
Kristi says
Thanks so much Kim! I'm really enjoying sitting in my sunroom and watching the birds. I never thought about cats. We have a lot of neighborhood kitties running around so I'll have to keep an eye out.
Sandra says
Your bird feeder came out awesome! How thrilling to have a visitor right away! In case you have squirrels taking over, my friend swears that adding vegetable oil to the pole will keep the squirrels at bay! They will just slide down. She saw that on YouTube!
Kristi says
Thanks Sandra! It's been fun watching the birds. Thanks for the squirrel prevention tip. So far we've been ok but I'll definitely keep it in mind. 🙂
Julie Briones says
LOVE this DIY, Kristi! And so glad the squirrels have stayed away! Extra bonus for the win! (Pretty little cardinal shot, too!)
Kristi says
Thanks so much Julie! I'm having fun watching the birds. I just wish I'd done it sooner. 🙂
Bliss says
Now that’s using your nogg’n!
Kristi says
It comes up with some good ones every once in a while. 😉
Meegan Fast says
Kristi,
What an impressive DIY project! You did an incredible job.
I love birds. I like to collect bird's nests.
We have a nightingale that sings outside our balcony every night from 8:30 to 5:30 every morning.
I absolutely love it.
Gave a wonderful weekend.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Meegan. I've been enjoying watching the birds come to visit.
Your singing nightingale sounds lovely. We have an owl close by and I like to listen to him at night. 🙂
Donna says
Hi Kristi,
Ran across your post on Pinterest. I know someone else asked about squirrels invading the feeder but the question was asked a couple of months ago just after you installed your new feeder. Since the hubby isn't crazy about the idea of a pole stuck in the middle of the yard so he'd have to mow around, am really considering using your idea but wanted to ask again about the squirrels. Now that a couple of months have passed, have the squirrels been a problem?
Kristi says
Hi Donna! Thanks so much for stopping in. We did have an issue with squirrels shortly after I posted my bird feeder pole. I quickly figured out a solution though and plan on sharing it on the blog. Super easy to do and it has stopped the squirrels. 🙂