How to Make a Trellis Pod Bird Feeder

Turning your Trellis Pods into a bird feeder is easy, and offers a perfect winter project for kids and nature-lovers alike!

Why Build the DIY Bird Feeder Out of The Trellis Pod? 

With the ongoing avian flu outbreak posing serious risks to bird populations, gardeners are being urged to reassess how they feed wildlife. While bird feeders have long been a reliable way to support wildlife, they invite birds to gather and congregate and thus can become breeding grounds for the virus to spread.

To slow the transmission of the virus, many biologists and wildlife agencies recommend removing traditional large bird feeders and replacing them with smaller feeding designs - particularly those that use suet balls - that promote one-at-a-time feeding.

Luckily, the Eggologic Trellis Pod, while great in the spring and summer for plant support, doubles as the perfect one-at-a-time feeding solution throughout the winter months!

How to Build a DIY Bird Feeder Out of the Trellis Pod

To build your bird feeder, you will need:

• 2 large suet & seed balls

• a pair of garden snips or cutting shears

• 10-12 thin, straight sapling or willow branches (pick branches no larger than 8mm in diameter and with as few offshoots as possible)

• 50-100cm of string or gardening wire

• your Trellis Pod front shell

Step 1 

Remove the front shell of your trellis pod from the mounting shell and place it face-down on a table or garden bench.

Place two large suet & seed balls in the center holes. (The suet balls should be large enough to not fall through the center holes when the trellis shell is lifted.)

Step 2

After first trimming your sapling branches to remove offshoots, begin weaving them through the outer holes of the trellis shell in an “X” pattern to begin securing the suet balls against the shell. Try making two “X” patterns and then one “H” pattern as shown. 

If the suet balls slip out, gently tuck them back under the weave.

If the weave doesn’t feel secure, use a small piece of string or garden wire to hold them in place at the center. If using wire, make sure to secure sharp ends away from the suet balls.   

DIY Bird Feeder Step 3

Turn the Trellis shell over and place it front-side up on the table

Weave the remaining branches through the outer holes to provide perches for the feeding birds. The weaving pattern on the front can be symmetrical or organic - whatever you prefer. 

Use string or garden wire as needed to secure any loose portions of the finished weave. If using wire, make sure to secure sharp ends away from the outer surface where birds may place their feet.

Step 5

With your weave design complete, cut the long branches 20-30cm from the front with garden snips or cutting shears.

Step 6 - The Final Step of Your DIY Bird Feeder!

Secure the Trellis Pod mounting shell in a sheltered area or on a wall facing north or northeast (away from rain and wind). This will help protect the suet and seed balls from the elements and allow your native garden birds to enjoy them longer. 

That’s it! Now sit back and enjoy watching the birds take advantage of this extra food source during the winter!