Are the metal parts a problem in cold climates? Does bird flesh stick to the metal parts?
1239358
I've used exclusively this thistle feeder over the last 20 years in Pennsylvania and never experienced this issue.
1239359
No, they don't. From Audubon: Will birds' feet stick to metal perches in winter? A bird's feet sticking to a perch is an extremely rare event. Birds do not have sweat glands on their feet, so they do not have the problem that people would have putting a wet finger or tongue on a freezing cold metal object. The only way a bird's feet would stick is if they were standing on a perch during freezing rain, and the rain froze around their feet. In the remote chance that happens, pouring cool or lukewarm water on their feet is the best way to thaw the ice.
1239360
No, they don't. From Audubon: Will birds' feet stick to metal perches in winter?A bird's feet sticking to a perch is an extremely rare event. Birds do not have sweat glands on their feet, so they do not have the problem that people would have putting a wet finger or tongue on a freezing cold metal object. The only way a bird's feet would stick is if they were standing on a perch during freezing rain, and the rain froze around their feet. In the remote chance that happens, pouring cool or lukewarm water on their feet is the best way to thaw the ice.
1239361
We live in a snowy state, feed year round and we have never seen any problem with the birds and the metal perches.
1239362
Did not make it through the winter. Birds broke through brittle clear plastic.
1239363
I have had two Droll Yankees thistle feeders for at least five years and have never had a problem getting the lids off in extremely cold weather - in fact it was only 7 degrees this morning when I went out to top them up. Also I have never noticed the birds having a problem with metal perches on these feeders or on the other similarly equipped feeders which I use. It probably helps that no bird stays very long on the perch - they tend to come, grab a seed, fly off and then come back.
830688
They are a harder durable plastic. We live in an area where the temps fluctuate and I was afraid of plastic, but they seem pretty tough. The feeder is very popular with finches and chickdees.
2019793
Yes. Have had it since July 2013. It has weathered freezing winter and still running fine. I just have cleaned algae, leaves and debris, replace water flush tubing out twice and runs nice. Pleased with purchase great price and the birds love to drink and take bird baths.
1128480
No problem... It has a plastic insert-it might get slightly wet, but the birds don't seem to mind. I live in PA if that helps & I've had this feeder for several seasons & it's the best I've owned.
926499
It is made out of powder coated metal. Not sure if it is steel or just a mixed metal. The powder coat is very durable. I have had my cage for almost a year and it still looks like new. There is plenty of room for the birds to fly from perch to perch and top to bottom.
1104477
Here in Sequim, WA, we don't get snow like MN, but we already got dumped on twice this year. Neither time did the birdseed freeze, or perhaps, the double paned window kept the AWCH slightly warmer. Currently, our temps. are in the upper 30's, and birds are feeding round the clock. One suggestion, since the lower house portion, slides SO easily out from the roof portion affixed to the glass, is to simply bring it in during the night, and remount it when the sun comes up. That's just another beauty of this feeder---all parts snap apart for dismantle and easy cleaning. Good Luck!! K
137953
My guess would be 40° F or less. I know our very small bird bath (28" diameter) froze at 20°, even with this, so it can't be very warm. For northern Michigan it was way to cold / small.
853851
We live in Vermont. Temps go down to 0 degrees in winter. This is not well insulated and I would not recommend using in temps below 30 degrees F. Also, as it is plastic-like material, I would not recommend putting a warming light in it. We used this in warm weather for some new (4 week old) chicks. Perch was not useful. Only 3 inches high. Once you put pine shavings in the bottom, perch got lost. Overall, not a useful hen house to use as a primary. It worked fine for getting new chicks ready to join flock though.
1693951
I wouldn't recommend it. The coating seems more like a polyurethane glaze and, unless it was submerged in the stuff, I doubt that the metal is impervious to the cold and moisture in a freezer. I would recommend something made of rubber, coated with an epoxy substance or a freezer-suitable plastic for such use.
2092502
I live in South Dakota, and it's been a brutal winter. My chickens have done very well in this coop. I've seen a little bit of frostbite on some combs, but since I will not use a heat lamp, I'm not sure that would have been prevented no matter what coop I used. Other than the frostbite, my girls are in very good health. I love my SnapLock coop. It was a great investment.
836694
I've not taken the temp of the heated water. I don't know what birds can tolerate but none of them seem to have a problem. We've had maybe a total of 10 days below freezing this winter and a few of those had lows in the teens. That's really cold for us. Because I have a shallow bird bath, I didn't give a second thought to adding water ever day. Evaporation due to the heater? Maybe a luttle bit.
204204
I live in Colorado. I have had mine since September it's now the end of November & have had no trouble with it cracking because of freezing temps. The water is even frozen inside it & it doesn't leak .....I love it & the birds do too!
308085
I have had this item for over a year, and it looks like new. It has been a far more efficient feeder in that birds are less likely to throw the seed on the ground. It might be a problem in areas where it rains and snows a lot (unlike here) since it acts like a big dish for all of that water and ice.
320001
not sure if the metal is copper or an alloy.., bronze, or anodized aluminum? But definitely metallic. No matter, it will last long enough to please you and the birds.
1122447
It came assembled w/ stapled nails that you don't see the nails because it gets buried. It survived this past hard winter. I had to file a bit so I wouldn't get any splinters. I also added a hole on the bottom and nailed it on the tree with two nails to secure it; one nailed at the top and the other at the bottom that I added. I've been using it for the second season and as of now, a squirrel is sitting in it, eating. I like it very much because it not only entertains me during winter but also my neighbor. In my community, we are recommended to feed wild animals only during winter.
1044525
I painted 2 metal bird that I had outside & then sealed them with a spray epoxy once the painted cured a couple of days. I had no problems.
1506570
Since the box hasn't made the burn pile yet - here's what it says: UV stabilized ABS and polycarbonate resins (a very clear hardened plastic!that is "dishwasher safe"), rust-proof/powder coated aluminum and stainless steel components. So - it has a clear hard plastic tube, metal top and base, and the ring for birds to perch upon seems to be a coated metal, as well. It also has a "patented seed ventilation system to circulate air through the seed, keeping it dry" ----- so there you have it - a quality item to thwart squirrel seed theft.