C J Wildbird Foods Cj Ground Guard Small Mesh Green

Ordered this to supplement the large mesh one. Have a problem with pigeons who arrived about 2 years ago, so the small birds were missing out on their food, they are all back now and enjoying the food. Did have a squirrel get halfway in and when the pigeons came nearby he got right into the cage (see attached photo) He tried to get out going to each corner of the cage, I thought I was going to have to let him out, but eventually he managed to squeeze through with a grate effort, he has not been back since. Many more small birds come now, its a joy to watch. Quite easy to assemble even with arthritic hands, although the clips are strong and need a bit of force to join the frames together.

I knew from past experience that these ground feeding cages attracted rats, and that they could easily get in through even the so-called ‘small mesh.’ We are having our latest outbreak of rats under our shed, so it’s time to get out the bait boxes again. The trouble is, although the bait boxes are strong and have very small entrance holes that would exclude hedgehogs and particularly our small dog, I’m still paranoid about having them lying around in our garden just in case any other animals might possibly get at the poison. . So I thought I’d try setting them up within the safety of this feeder cage.The cage sides are strong and once assembled they make a good cage, but the plastic clips are rubbish. They are very hard to squeeze round the bars, and positioning the sides to take the clips is difficult as they tend to move when you’re trying to line them up. Use pliers. The two clips acting as a hinge to the door at the top kept falling apart when I lifted the lid, so I used garden wire to sew the door in place (see photo.) There is no way to fasten the door, so any passing squirrel, or rat, would instantly get inside the cage. I used a carabiner to latch it together, (see photo) but again, this wouldn’t be satisfactory to keep squirrels out. It comes with 4 thick and sturdy metal pegs, which go through holes at the bottom corners to hold the cage down - but as these are only 3” long, they are pretty useless! There is room for two bait boxes, but it would be better to have two cages and set up two separate feeding stations with one bait box in each.I topped the cage with an offcut of roofing felt, to keep it dry and a bit darker for the rats. See photo. Of course, used without a cover as a bird feeder, any food would quickly get wet and mouldy in rainy weather, which the rats would love. I don’t think these cages are suitable for feeding birds. It’s probably better to set up hanging feeders within a guardian cage which will exclude large birds, squirrels and rats. However, they are a useful bit of equipment, not only as a safety cage for rat bait boxes, but also as a temporary cage for an injured bird or hedgehog, perhaps, although there are some design flaws which could have been sorted out.Buy this from Amazon - it’s much more expensive on the CJ Wildlife own web page!

I purchased this item because I was getting fed up with the neighbouring cats eating the food I was putting out for the hedgehogs.This worked a treat. Took a bit of time to cut the wires and fold them back to make two openings opposite each other (and cover the ends with tape as they were sharp). I put it outside with a plate of food in the middle, made a trail of dry food and the hedgehogs found it the first night and were eating happily - came in one hole and went out the other and more importantly, no cats. Only made the trail the first night - they found the food and the entrance without any problem.Any food the hedgehogs left, the blackbirds ate in the morning.Purchased from Marketplace trader Mighty Oak Trading and was very pleased with their service and speed of delivery.

Although this states it stops starlings getting to the food, I can safely say it doesnt, so far in one week ive had no less than 12 starlings inside. I have a normal feeder which as a cage around it and the starlings can't get into that. Only problem with that its not big enough to cover my ground feeding tray. If this cage had holes as small like my normal feeder it would be brilliant. So if your looking to buy this to stop the starling eating all the food i wouldnt bother waste of money.

Well made but it doesn't stop the squirrels in my garden getting inside. They can squeeze in through the mesh. So, I have stopped using it.

Good sturdy product which works well at keeping Seagulls, Crows, Pigeons away from food for the smaller garden birds.

It is a little flimsy. The plastic clips pop off with the slightest of provocation. I have used zip ties as a back up. Once secured, the cage does its job admirably and is worth every penny to see frustrated squirrels while the birds feed happily.

Nice condition just big enough for small birds keeps out the magpies