Perky-Pet 102 4 lb Squirrel Resistant Easy Feeder

The BEST birdfeeder I have ever used.
I bought one of these feeders about 6 years ago at a home improvement center (at a higher price than here on Amazon), and it quickly became my absolute favorite of the many birdfeeders I’ve bought or made through the years. It’s so easy to fill. You just hang the feeder and then simply twist open the bottom and slide out the plastic cartridge to fill it. No stool or ladder needed. It holds LOTS of seed…the package says 4 pounds. There are 12 openings, and I’ve definitely had a dozen birds perched on this feeder at one time. I like to put sunflower seeds in to half full and then a mixed seed in to the top. That way I can attract different birds at the same time.The exterior cage design gives lots of area for perching. The squirrels still climb on this one and dig for seed, but they aren’t able to reach the seed as easily and can’t dump and spill the seed like they do on so many other feeders.The metal exterior cage and plastic seed holder are very durable and can withstand years of harsh Minnesota winters, daily acrobats by the squirrels, and tug-of-wars with the local deer. The ONLY thing that finally took it out was the second time it was ripped down, shaken, and rolled by the black bear last fall. I salvaged it the first time, but he finally managed to dig the plastic tube out and break its seam on the second try. The exterior was still totally intact, but I decided not to bother trying to fix the plastic. After all, it had served me well for six years.I can tell my birds have missed their feeder. Not nearly as many came to my “substitute” feeders this winter or spring. A couple of weeks ago I went on the hunt at each of the local home improvement centers and hardware stores for a replacement with no luck. Fortunately I found it here on Amazon. You won’t be disappointed with this feeder.

Well-Designed for Feeding and Cleaning, But Broke After 5 Months
SUMMARY: This bird feeder is very well-designed for feeding and cleaning, and I really like it. But there are some design flaws that bring the rating down, particularly, the small plastic extensions that lock the tube in place at the bottom broke after just a few months, and the squirrels were able to eat through the tube. Details are below.Here is the good:- It has multiple ports up and down the tube so many birds can access the seed.- The birds seem to like the challenge of clinging to the wire cage to get the seed; this feeder attracted more birds than my previous feeders with perches.- The bottom opens up for cleaning. This is a major plus, since the dust from sunflower seed accumulates on the bottom and after a while will block the bottom ports. Opening up the tube from the bottom makes it so easy to remove the dust accumulation. Feeders with stationary floors are difficult to clean on the bottom.- It’s large enough to hold enough seed for a full day or more.- The seed is protected from the rain. I’ve had other feeders that were open mesh, and the birds did not like the seed once it got wet and compacted.- The directions are clear, and show how to remove the cage, slipping it up off the tube for pouring the seed into the top of the tube.Here is the bad:The plastic tube that holds the seed locks into place at the bottom with a narrow plastic extension of the tube. A twist of the tube releases the tube from the bottom for cleaning. After just a few months, all the extensions broke, and the tube can no longer be held into the bottom. The only solution was to tape the bottom plate to the tube.The squirrels managed to subvert every obstacle to the feeder, and one of them not only got to the feeder, but actually ate through the plastic leaving an enormous gash in the side. So it might be squirrel resistant, but it is not squirrel proof, and the cage is no deterrent to the squirrel’s getting to the plastic underneath. They can start opening up the tube by breaking the plastic at the port, and chewing it from there.I think this is a serious design flaw, particularly when it broke so soon. Without this flaw, the feeder would definitely rate a 5.

This can hold an awful lot of seed, its much bigger than you think, the birds love it and you don’t have to fill it up everyday. We get loads of birds on the feeder all day long.We have squirrels in the garden and although they have climbed all over the feeder, they soon gave up and went away.Just the job!So, why did I only give it 2 stars? Well, we got up one day and the plastic insert had dropped out of the cage and broken. Not just cracked, the thing has broken in two along the joins and the bottom edge has broken, so you can’t even glue it back together. It is poorly made with fragile plastic.The feeder was empty the day before so I can’t imagine anything climbed on it and dislodged it. It was a bit windy, but nothing that would make you worry. None of our other feeders were damaged, but they are all different types.I

love it; holds lots of seed so I’m not having to fill it daily in the winter; lasts about a week.