Pumpkin Bird and Squirrel Feeder

Have you ever wondered what to do with your old pumpkins after Halloween? If so, making a bird/squirrel feeder is the perfect solution. This is a pretty easy project and takes about an hour and a half. The other great thing about this is you do not need any bird seed, only the pumpkin guts and seeds!

You will need the following:

• A pumpkin (it could be cracked, carved, or still untouched!)
• A big bowl
• 4 thick sticks, about a foot long
• A cutting board
• A big kitchen knife
• Some twine
• Scissors
• You might need a hot glue gun (I did not)

The first step is to cut the pumpkin in quarters. Cut the pumpkin in half on one side of the stem (as shown in the first picture) Then cut the pumpkin in the same way on the other side. You should have two halves and a part with the middle of the pumpkin. After that cut both halves in half so you have four quarters of the pumpkin.

On to the next step!

For the second step you have to gut the pumpkin slices. This part is pretty easy, just scrape out all the guts and seeds from the pumpkin slices. Now we are going to cut up a piece of the middle with the stem. You do not have to cut up the whole thing, just about five or six small chunks. (Squirls like to chew through the rind of pumpkin!)

That's all for this step!

Now we have to put the sticks through the edges of the pumpkin! Take a small knife and drill a small hole through the corner of the pumpkin wedge. Do this to both sides of all the pumpkin slices. Once that is done, slide the sticks through both holes leaving about an inch of stick sticking out on each side.

Time for the next step!

In this step we will be tying the slices together on one side. First, line up all the slices take the slice with the thickest stick, this will be the top one. Cut six twenty-four inch pieces of twine. Tie a double-half-hitch knot to one side of the stick on the first slice in line using a piece of twine. Take the other end of the string and tie a double-half-hitch knot to the next slice in line. Continue until all the slices are done.

Knot image credit: Pinterest

This step can be tricky, tying the other side of the pumpkins together. The reason it can be tricky is you want to make sure the pumpkins will hang evenly. Using a double-half-hitch knot tie the other sides of the sticks in sequence, the same way you did step one. Pull on the pumpkins, so the string is tight, to make sure the pumpkins are even when you tie them.

Knot image credit: Pinterest

This is the final step! Cut a forty-eight inch piece of twine and tie the two ends together. Loop one end around the stick of the top pumpkin slice. Then around the other side. This is your hanger.

Hand the feeder on a strong branch and fill with the guts, seeds, and small chunks.

Watch the critters enjoy!