Should bird feeders be painted
Feeders are available untreated to allow you to finish it off in a desired color of paint, or left unpainted to allow the feeder to weather naturally.
Bird feeders should be left unpainted as a way to prevent unsafe, poor quality paint bleeding on the bird food that is in contact with the painted feeder. I would paint a feeder in non toxic paint only, but if a guarantee of excellence. Apply the paint deep into the grain to prevent it peeling, with staining a better option.
If you are referring to painting a metal or plastic bird feeder, then they can be spray painted with non toxic paints, but I would personally replace these options.
What I am referring to when understanding if you should paint bird feeders is not, is only painting or staining for that matter, wooden bird feeders.
Sure, a wooden bird feeders lifespan is shortened if no treatment is used, so to use a preserve only can extend a bird feeders life - while allowing the natural color of the pine or cedar to remain.
Preserving a bird feeder is vital to its life, so I would paint a bird feeder for that reason.
Much as you can paint a bird house to retain its quality; same applies to bird feeders to actually create a more hygienic bird feeding area.
Left unpainted, bird droppings, dampness and stubborn bird food leftover would gradually latch into the wooden bird feeder grain; discoloring its in due course with damp and stain patches.
If it was painted, and then repainted once or twice a year: a clean, wash away surface can be created to retain high standards.
Its also easier to clean a painted surface over one that is left unpainted.
You can only preserve a bird feeder made in wood, but personally I like to stain a bird feeder if I can to retain that incredible grain.
Preferably left unpainted
Much as a painted bird feeder can benefit the feeder in the long run, an unpainted bird feeder is preferable, and a safer solution for feeding birds.
And if you paid any attention, you'd notice unpainted bird feeders are commonly sold.
But that is not to say you cannot paint a bird feeder, in fact if a painted bird feeder would compliment the yard, then go ahead and paint away.
Unpainted bird feeders is still an option if you wish, with the weathering effect happening later, only helping to blend in the feeder in its natural surroundings. Truth being an unpainted feeders can compliment most landscapes.
Unpainted bird feeders they may be, but that natural color of pine or made in cedar bird feeders could be enhanced by a special, non toxic preserve or waterproof treatment.
To leave a bird feeder untreated with paints of the exterior grade, superior wood finishes are unable to bleach onto bird food in the process.
Painting feeders is an option
When painting a bird feeder, you should only follow strict guidance on how to apply that brand of paint, by being extra sure its suitable on backyard birding products.
It must be non toxic but it helps to make sure its doesn't leave any lasting, strong odor.
More importantly it must be exterior grade paint so would normally be promoted as for garden furniture - so if its good for outdoor furniture its OK for bird feeders.
Mind you, you'd need to be absolutely sure its the non toxic kind to keep birds safe, in case a small amount is ingested.
What color you paint bird feeder is up to you, but often the choice of colors is limited.
But what you are looking for is something to compliment your garden, for example picking a shade that matches your fencing or shed.
Feeders should only be painted really on areas where bird food is not set on.
Unlikely to happen but poor quality paint can latch onto bird food in the summer sun, thus the bird feed would be eaten with paint attached to it.
Paint can act as treatment
Feeders that are painted not only act as a way to help blend the feeders in with your backyard landscape, but are sure to help compliment the decor.
Paint can also act as a sort of wood treatment in its own, even though its not advertised as such.
Paint can protect the wooden bird feeder exterior, thus the weathering effect can be delayed if its protected under a layer of paint.
Bird feeders would need to be repainted once a year but this can certainly extend the lifespan of any kind of wooden feeder.
With that in mind, to paint bird feeders in a well known paint brand with a preserve combination is something to think about.
What most people would resort to is in fact first finish the bird feeder is preserve, then only paint the bird feeder after.
Non toxic paint only
It is only safe to paint bird feeders with non toxic paint, with no dangerous chemicals in its ingredients likely to cause harm to delicate backyard birds.
Non toxic paints is a growing trend in outdoor paints, as families look to protect children and their pets with outdoor toys and furniture coming into close contact with vulnerable people and animals regularly.
With that in mind it shouldn't be too hard to buy a suitable exterior graded paint that is only promoted as non toxic.
And while your at it look for something that is promoted as waterproof when cured; then rain water would simply run off or sit on top of the feeder surface, rather than bleed into the wooden bird feeder.
Non toxic paints have the benefit of not smelling when applied to the feeder, nor do feeders retain any odour once the paint is cured.
Feeders painted in non toxic paint is sure to benefit you, and the birds that come into contact with it in more ways than you can imagine.
Painting a feeder or only applying preserve is safe to do, but staining is a better option.
Stain is a safer option
Have you thought about staining your bird feeder instead of painting it, as stain could retain its color and quality over how both are applied.
Painting wooden surfaces with any common paint brush tend to see paint only be applied on the surface, in one to two coats to create the desired effort.
With stain, its a more water like texture that not only bleeds deep into the wooden feeder, but its near impossible for stain to peel off. If scrapping a feeder, the stain is still in tact as its sink deep into the grain.
Stain is a safer option because where birds can peck at paint, stain becomes part of the wood itself, thus its near impossible for birds to accidental eat it, unless they feel the need to ingest wood.
Once again you can only go for non toxic stains, applied with a brush then wiped off for the beautiful grain to remain visible.
If this is the effect you want then go for a stain finish, as a brushed on thick coat of paint can leave an uneven finish, whereas stain creates a wonderful finish.
Conclusion
I would first advise you to not paint a wooden bird feeder if you can help it, but that isn't to say you shouldn't paint a bird feeder.
Unpainted bird feeders can guarantee bird safety, whereas people often forget poor quality paints can become damp and run, thus the paint is likely to bleed onto bird food where its in contact with the painted finish.
With that in mind, paint a bird feeder if you wish, but only do so if you can be sure the quality of paint is guaranteed not to wear off.
Paint can act as a barrier between the weather and the wood itself, thus the feeder can last far long if painted.
I would prefer a paint with a preserve combination to protect the feeder for longer, but wood preserve can be applied first if its not a special paint and preserve treatment.
When applying paint to a bird feeder for outdoor use, it must be exterior grade paint.
On top of that it must be promoted as non toxic at all times, with a waterproof promoted paint a bonus - as it stops water penetrating the wood, while allowing dampness to stand on the surface instead.
If you want to be extra cautious, go for a wooden stain that bleeds deep into the grain, as it can't peel off or be ingested by birds so easily.
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