Perky-Pet102 4 lb Squirrel Resistant Easy Feeder

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.

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.

First, thank you Amazon for making returns simple. This arrived with the inner plastic tube broken. I took a careful look at the design to determine if it was worth replacing or just returning--conclusion, returned it.Pros: 1) I really like the simplicity with which this thing comes apart. Not only should it make filling easy, but more importantly cleaning, something that is very needed and very hard to do with most bird feeders. 2) I has feeding holes all the way to the top--something that should allow more birds and keep the seed fresher.Cons: 1)the inner tube is a cheap, brittle plastic--doesn't appear to be UV resistent either. I think that means even in the best of worlds this would only last one season. 2) the only "squirrel resistent" design is the metal screening. No weighted springs, no shutters, etc. I think the metal screening would likely simply be a nice holding spot for the squirrels in my neighborhood. Ditto the grackles which are my main plague.If you actually want to deter squirrels, I strongly recommend buying a very large bottle of cayenne pepper. Mix the pepper with your seeds--be generous. Squirrels have the same receptors for hot and spicy that we do--and they don't like it. Birds do not have the receptors and hence don't even notice. After a couple of fillings with Cayenne, the squirrels are trained to stay off. You can then skip the cayenne until the next generation of squirrels.

Great size. I was surprised at the size of it when it arrived. Easy to fill, but as soon as the birds discover it, good luck keeping it full. I would recommend this for anyone.

It was my fourth bird feeder as all failed to prevent squirrels or chipmunks feeding. This is a good capacity product. Good value highly recommended.

Rubbish, fell apart, fixing not secure

This feeder has been a frustration. For weeks now we have only been watching squirrels climbing in this thing and eating the seeds. No birds have landed on it but the seeds get scooped out by the squirrel’s paws.

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