Not Store-Bought Bird Feeders: Upcycle An Old Ladle For A Creative DIY

Bird watching is one of life's simplest pleasures, but buying a fancy feeder can turn this natural hobby into a commercial affair. If you want to make your birding practice more sustainable and save money simultaneously, there are tons of easy DIY bird feeders you can make from repurposed kitchen items. An old ladle has the perfect shape to hold bird seed, and there are a couple of ways to transform it into a unique, homemade feeder. While a ladle and a hook are all you really need to start feeding birds, you can make a cuter yard feature by using a few pieces of scrap wood. This allows you to add a roof and a perch to make your DIY feeder more comfortable for your feathered friends.

Upcycling prevents old, unused utensils from sitting in a landfill, and this simple project will clear a piece of clutter from your kitchen, too. The deep spoon acts like a platform feeder. For people that don't have an extra ladle taking up valuable drawer space, check thrift stores to keep this DIY budget- and eco-friendly. Any metal ladle will get the job done, but older, vintage-looking utensils will make for an adorable, whimsical bird feeder. Mount or hang your soup ladle bird feeder from a fence or porch post to get a closer look at your flying friends and enjoy the added benefits of putting a bird feeder in your yard.

Wash and rinse your utensil before using it as a feeder. Mounting the ladle to a wooden board gives this DIY feeder a cute, rustic look and steadily holds it in place to prevent spills. Either screw the handle of the ladle into your wooden backing, or use fence staples to hold the handle against the plank.

This basic feeder can be hung in your garden, or you can spruce it up to be more functional and aesthetically pleasing. With screws or wood glue, attach two small boards to your feeder, creating a triangular roof over the ladle. Align the center of the roof with the middle of the handle. This will help to keep the seed dry, and looks more like a classic bird house. Secure a short, round dowel beside the spoon of the ladle. Now, birds will be able to perch next to the platform while they eat.

An easier way to upcycle an old ladle into a bird feeder is to simply hang it outside. Many utensils have a hole in the handle for easy hanging storage, which allows you to simply place it on a hook outside. However, the ladle may sway in the wind and spill loose bird seed. If you love the look of the project, you could also make an adorable hanging planter with an old soup ladle.