(no subject)

[solarbird]

Okay, so we like squirrels; they're funny. However, liking birds more, we've gotten a squirrel-proof feeder. (Suit cage inside a bigger cage; it's genuinely squirrel-proof. They hate us for it.)

So we're thinking of adding a squirrel corncob feeder. But it has to provide visual entertainment. The two best at the local bird store are one that holds four cobs in a windmill-like arrangement, with each cob at the end of the windmill arms. So if you have a squirrel holding onto one and nibbling at it, another squirrel will jump on another cob, and the first squirrel will go flying. This sounds great! However, there's another option (easier to install) which is basically "corncob hanging down from a spring," so when they jump on it, it bounces up and down and they may go fling but may also just fly around in the air while trying to get the food.

Yeah, I'm a bitch. But squirrels are t3h funny. So!

[Poll #381266]

Comments

[emmacrew.livejournal.com]

The squirrels at mom's are almost completely uninterested in the corncobs she puts out for them. There's a family of raccoons that comes and takes them away in the night.

However, this might be because she just tosses them out there, so there's no challenge. Do squirrels like challenges?

[solarbird]

They're called corncob feeders, but we'd actually have vaguely-corncob-shaped squirrel food thingies on instead.

There's also a proper kind of corn to have on it, apparently.

[emmacrew.livejournal.com]

Ahh. This is some random "corn for critters" she found next to the birdseed, I think.

They do, however, loooooove the peanuts she puts out for them.

[hippybngstockng.livejournal.com]

When I was a kid, my mom was always trying to keep them off the bird feeders- She nailed a butt load of thin nails to her wooden house styled feeder to make it uncomfortable for the squirrel to perch on. They were not deterred though, in fact, I think they treated it like martial arts training. It was just extra fun to balance on the nail heads and lean over to get the food! If Ninja squirrels amuse you, you could just hit a few yard sales and get a hammer and have some fun!

[waysofseeing.livejournal.com]

Back when he lived in Pennsylvania, my stepfather fought a mostly-losing battle with the squirrels over the contents of the bird feeders for 15 years.

He eventually acquired one of the windmill-type of squirrel feeders, and took great satisfaction over watching the squirrels send themselves whirling off into space.

One note of caution: corn cobs are Very Very Bad for dogs. If you have an unfenced yard and/or loose dogs in your neighborhood, you might want to avoid the corn-on-a-spring thing.

[solarbird]

Well, we'd get the squirrel-food-shaped-like-corncobs version anyway. Not actual corncobs. ^_^

[toreypet.livejournal.com]

I have seen squirrels that go nuts for these things. They'll learn a surprising amount of 'tricks' to get to the prize... and are they ever funny doing those tricks through an obstical maze of tricks. :>

[chirik.livejournal.com]

Squirrels with wings fly much better! ;-)

[shikyrie.livejournal.com]

that would be fun watching them go "fling"... I remember when we were still putting out food for the birds (the cats loved the free show) the skwirrels would occasionally pay us a visit and we'd laugh when they'd fall off into the bush...