Not A Traditional Birdbath: DIY A Cheaper Version With An Old Item In Your Garage

Many people love watching birds, and adding a birdbath provides water for their feathered friends. However, traditional concrete birdbaths can be expensive and hard to keep clean. If you're trying to create a bird-friendly garden at home, skip the store and head to your basement or garage for any old plastic sleds you have in storage. With minimal effort, you can turn them into a cheap but effective DIY birdbath for your yard or garden.

Plastic sleds are fairly good at holding water, since they have a solid bottom and raised sides. They're also generally safe for birds, although you should check it for sharp edges or cracks. If you have an old metal sled, you may be able to use that as well, as long as it can hold water. Depending on the style of sled you have and how much time you want to spend on your birdbath, you can simply leave the sled on the ground or craft a beautiful and functional yard fixture. At minimum, you'll need supplies to clean your sled and some water-safe rocks or objects to place in the bottom. However, feel free to spruce it up with outdoor paint or use rope or chains to hang it up. You can also affix it to a stump or another tall, sturdy object to make a base for the birdbath.

Start by giving your sled a thorough cleaning, even if it just seems a bit dusty. Check the edges for any sharp bits of plastic, cracks that might let water leak out, or any peeling paint that might flake off and get eaten by a bird. Sharp areas should be sanded until they're smooth, and cracks will need to be sealed with waterproof glue or a silicone-based crack filler. Peeling paint can be covered with another layer or paint and sealant, or you can skip the paint and just seal it.

Once it's clean, you can add rocks or other waterproof items to the bottom of the sled, giving the birds something to stand on, then fill it with water. Place it in a shady spot, ideally with some shrubs or trees nearby for them to flee too if a predator shows up. This is the most cost-effective option if you want to keep things cheap across the board, since you can use whatever rocks or items you already have. You can even wait for the rain to fill it naturally instead of using your hose if you prefer. 

Planting bird-friendly landscape plants near your sled will make it more appealing and help attract birds to your yard. Smaller sleds can be hung or attached to the top of a post or pedestal. Alternatively, add a small solar-powered fountain, bubbler, or dripper to your sled birdbath, as the movement of water is more natural and appealing to birds.