kennett Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Got all my plastic feeders out with spirals and the birds are using them well. However, been given a load of clean metal 45 gallon drums, and have no spirals left. I know a lot of people use them with 3 or so inch verticL slit cut in the bottom. Never used them myself and want to know if they are any good, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 We use them and the birds love them. 4 horizontal cuts 4"-5" long an inch from the bottom then knocked inwards We put tailings in them so the birds scratch out the feed and then spend time scratching through the chaff. Only problem is that Deer, Squirrels and Rabbits can get at the feed too. We bend a sheet of tin which is a foot or so longer over the top and screw it to the barrel with tech-screws. This leaves a gap big enough to get a bag of wheat under to top up but it still keeps the rain out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesstondriver Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 ^^ what he said !! do they have lids ? if not there is a simple trick , by cutting just below one of the bands 2/3 way up the drum the top bit will then fir over the bottom bit !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Forgot to say, we welded a lintel of scrap tin above each cut-out so the rain couldn't run into them and start chitting the wheat. No-Nails or something like that might work if a welder's not available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 (edited) You can buy plastic top hats (maybe 3 feet in diameter) for the 45 gallon drums to ensure the 'slits' stay dry. £17 each, which includes a 'tray' to catch any seed falling out. I have placed the tray and drum on old car tyres to lift it up to a good feed height for pheasants. Also, place an old traffic cone in the centre before filling as this allows all the feed to reach the 'slits'. I find they are best used at either ends of a feed ride and, later in the season, use kibbled maize, instead of wheat. Edited October 15, 2014 by Kes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted October 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 Thanks everyone, I'll get the angle grinder and welder out then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmateX Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 Kes who sells the top hats for £17 ? Quill do them but they are £30 odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 I got mine from a company at 'Uploaders', cant remember the name but it was 'something Dairies', Uploaders, in Dorset/ Wiltshire. I'll have a look and PM you if I can find the address - I get a catalogue every year but with moving ......... Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 I got mine from a company at 'Uploaders', cant remember the name but it was 'something Dairies', Uploaders, in Dorset/ Wiltshire. I'll have a look and PM you if I can find the address - I get a catalogue every year but with moving ......... Cheers I've just tried a few Googles and everything is coming in at nearly twice the price I paid as you said. It was maybe 3/4 years ago but I obviously got lucky. Seems too expensive at £30+ a go. Must be some scope for improvising. I'll keep looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmateX Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 Collins nets are at Upton Dairy probably them but they have the quill ones for similar money. Did you get them recently or a few years back? I will ask Graham what he can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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