Cat proof bird table

tomsolomon

We have five cats and not many birds., although I have put a couple of trees and large plants in the garden. It would be nice to have a few more birds around, they just seem content to sit on the fence atm.
I was wondering if anyone had a design for a cat proof bird table? If there is such a thing.

noonesperfect

Hi hope this helps:-

Position bird feeders high off the ground, in a place where a cat cannot jump from another surface. There should be bushes nearby for the birds to hide in, but not close enough for the cats to use to creep up on the birds. Prickly bushes are best, as the cats will avoid them.
To prevent cats climbing the post of the bird table, use a metal pole, place an up-turned cone halfway up, or wrap plastic bottles around the pole.
Install an electronic cat deterrent. These typically work by using an infrared detector, which emits a burst of ultrasound that only affects cats, on detection of movement or body heat. Sometimes, though, the cats learn a 'safe route' to avoid triggering the sensor, so it is probably best to move it around a bit. Plus it obviously won't work on deaf cats!
Squirting cats with water pistols will deter them temporarily, but they may keep coming back.
If the cat is your own, fit it with a bell to warn birds of its presence. It is possible though that the cat will learn to be even more stealthy to avoid triggering the bell. The RSPB recommends keeping your cat indoors when birds are most vulnerable: at least an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise, especially during March-July and December-January. Also after bad weather, such as rain or a cold spell, to allow birds to come out and feed.

Plus

http://www.nassl.org.uk/animal%20essentials%20-%20birds.htm

Davesnave

The above post was scrutnised by my two cats and declared a little OTT, but they agree that our bird table is beyond their, or any other cat's, leaping capabilities.

I can't remember the manufacturer, but bought it recently in a garden centre. Basically, it is a square wooden frame with a stainless steel mesh stretched across it which holds the food. This is suspended from a tree by four chains. It stays level and the food is retained well by the frame, so there is a lot less spillage. Unfortunately, it is large enough to accommodate a pigeon, but I'm working on that.

However, all my fat feeders, nut stations etc are hung in trees or bushes and none of the local cats has tried to access them.

It takes time to attract birds and, as the post above says, they do like cover, but cats won't necessarily put them off. Our birds seem to know how far they can risk it with the cats, and the cats know that the birds know! There is usually equilibrium, but at this time of year there are babies around and that's when disaster can strike.

So far, touch wood, the only scare the local blackbirds have had was with a jay, but they soon saw it off.

tomsolomon

My cats were thinking the exact same thing, but didn't realy want to say anything so as not to offend.
Although I have found something on Google now regarding using pole's.
Only trouble is I think they are all tied up working in the factory's and on building sites.........:eek:
Or I could always ask the missus for the one out of the bedroom...
He's been hiding in the wardrobe for almost a week now :rotfl:

tomsolomon

Here we go a cat proof bird table for a moneysaving price busting £1.48...:D

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll307/TrevorLloyd_uk/DSC00096.jpg

The stake was 89p from Wilko and the ply was 59p from Bradfords....

mary43

Nice one Tom............must show that to OH.
We've got three cats (one too old to bother with birds now) and I've always worried for the birds safety and have to admit to losing a few. Can't be helped -it's the cat's nature really.
We've got several trees in the garden and always put the bird feeders up in the trees hoping the cats can't get them. The big holly tree seems to be the safest.........the cats don't seem to like the thorns -and we've for a twisted willow tree which is ideal for bird feeders and the branches aren't sturdy enough for cats so they steer clear of that.