Why don't birds come to my homemade platform feeder?

Question

I made a platform feeder out of weather resistant boards and put it in the same place as my other feeders. It is about 5 feet high from the ground to the platform. Since I have put the feeder up, all my other bird friends are gone away and all my feeders remain filled. What is wrong?

Answer 1

If you've just recently put it up, give them time to get used to it. Birds will be fearful of it until they get used to it being there. Eventually the seed will tempt them too much to keep them away for long. Also, are the weather resistant boards treated with something? That may keep them away, too. Good luck!

Answer 2

Well obviously they don't like it! Take it down and they'll come back.

Answer 3

The weather resistant boards may give off an odor that you and I can not detect. Also, I have two birdbaths very close to one another in my backyard.  One is a blue/turquoise glazed pottery one and the other has a plain, old white/gray cement basin. The birds almost never drink or bath in the blue one but LOVE the near-white colored one. Therefore, I suggest that you completely paint the platform feeder in a weather resistant, outdoor paint in white or cream color.  That way you are masking over any detectable, offensive odor and will attract more birds.  It's worth a try, huh?