Will Hummingbirds go to a feeder on the fence
Its a matter of fact Hummingbirds will come to any type of Hummingbird feeder, wherever it happens to be placed, although it must feel safe and be seen.
Hummingbirds will come to a feeder on a fence, provided its an isolated fence where no pets, pests or predators occupy it on a daily basis. With that, you'd want to pick the sunny side of the fence to hang/mount a feeder, while avoiding the shaded side. Remember, shared fence neighbors could disturb Hummers.
It really can depend on the moment but for the most part, in time Hummingbirds will come to a feeder placed on a fence, in a suspended or mounted position.
Hummingbird feeders don't have to hang at all in fact, and as feeders can be placed on a table or mounted to a window; its a positive sign Hummingbirds will happily come to a feeder, that is probably classed as an unusual location when utilizing a wooden or wire fence.
Hummingbirds will come to a feeder on a fence that is free of pets, pests, predators, and general activity.
Fence location can cause a lot of issues, which is primarily due to movement of people in their yards, and especially the neighbor you share the fence with.
You can do all you can to be quiet, still or avoid going outdoors to attract Hummingbirds to a feeder on a fence, yet your neighbors could be indirectly scaring them off.
You can't just put a Hummingbird feeder on a fence that is frequently disturbed, as Hummingbirds scare easy. Heck, Hummingbirds won't share the same feeders with all other wild bird species, thus you can see how shy they actually are.
I will say Hummingbirds will come to a feeder that is hung/mounted to a fence, but again it may take more time as its usually an isolated, but unusual location.
Go ahead and put up an Hummingbird feeder on a fence, while at the same time don't make it permanent, as you may need to move the feeder elsewhere later - or indeed hang the Hummingbird feeder on an adjacent fence within your yard.
While Hummingbirds can be quite adventurous when visiting a Hummingbird feeder; one that is mounted to, or is suspended off a fence bracket should in theory - see as much success, as any type of bird feeder hung off a bird feeder pole or tree branch.
Fence location popular choice
What you may not have realized is people often choose to hang a Hummingbird feeder on a fence - or should I say fence post - location as it usually comes down to the only option to them, in where to hang a bird feeder within the yard.
Hummingbirds will come to a Hummingbird feeder hung or mounted to a fence post, though it really can come down to how safe the fence location feels.
Presence of pets or predators, including the neighbors pets or children playing on the other side of the fence, will of course keep Hummingbirds away.
Hummingbirds are shy at feeders, thus will avoid any Hummingbird feeder that is busy with other bird species, let alone people or pets.
In spite of that, hanging a Hummingbird feeder someway high up off the ground is enough to reassure them, though it must be an isolated area for the duration of the day.
Hummingbird feeders don't have to hang off a fence when first screwing on a bracket, when a Hummingbird can be mounted which will mostly rely on a mounted style Hummingbird feeder.
If the Hummingbird feeder must be hung, ensure there's enough clearing between the feeder and fence, to avoid the feeder swinging in to the too close wooden/wire fence.
Sunny side of fence only
Where to hang or mount a Hummingbird feeder on a fence really can open up your feeder to many Hummingbirds; or indeed it can go unnoticed if the Hummingbird feeder so happens to be on the out of sight side of a fence.
Rules still apply when hanging a Hummingbird feeder, as it must be suspended in direct sunshine as it means it can be spotted more easily. In time Hummingbirds will find a well hidden Hummingbird feeder, but it relies on local, returning Hummers only.
With that in mind, I would say Hummingbirds will mostly go to a feeder on a fence, that so happens to be the side where the sun shines.
Side of the fence that is mostly in shade for most of the day will stay discreet, thus will be ignored because its unseen.
What you must do is hang or mount the Hummingbird feeder that spends most of the day in direct sunshine - which is what I call the sunny side of the fence.
Don't be concerned if you can only provide a shaded side, as its possible Hummingbird feeders can be mounted on top of a single fence post, as some types of Hummingbird feeders can provide additional ways to display itself off to birds.
Keep Hummingbirds safe
When finding a suitable way to hang or mount your Hummingbird feeder on a fence post, there is such a thing of where NOT to hang a Hummingbird feeder - and unfortunately utilizing a fence placement certainly falls in to that category.
You see this method of positioning a Hummingbird feeder relies on a lot of responsibility, and of course common sense on your part to keep Hummingbirds safe.
Fences are often no taller than 3-4 feet which means the Hummingbird feeder can drop far below the recommended safe level, which is 4 to 6 feet off the ground.
Which means the Hummingbird feeder, and now the Hummingbirds themselves can be within reaching distance of hidden predators, and of course cats who are patient enough to wait until they catch a wild birds out of the air.
With that, its vitally important cats or others predators can't come in to contact with a Hummingbird feeder, that is hung or mounted on a regular fence.
Knowing the next door neighbors have cats of which occupy a shared fence or often stray in to your yard, should tell you hanging a Hummingbird feeder will invite a lot of danger to any wild birds who come to this nectar-filled feeder.
Conclude
I can't recommend it enough, when hanging a Hummingbird feeder it would probably be better to hang it off a bird feeder pole - in direct sunshine as a guarantee it will be found in a sunlit location, as opposite to an unseen shaded spot.
Fence location is absolutely doable if said fence location doesn't see pets, pests or predators occupy the location you intend to hang/mount the feeder, at all.
When cats or even squirrels occupy this space previously, then no, Hummingbirds will probably avoid a feeder that is placed on a fence where predators or pests loom.
Whatever side of the fence you pick must be free of cats or predators - although there's never a guarantee of that - yet it must be the side of the fence that receives most of the sun, as Hummingbirds like to feed in direct, warm sunshine.
Opposite side of the fence could be the shaded side of course, which would mean the Hummingbird feeder will remain out of sight of visiting Hummingbirds.
Hummers come to feeders in the dark, but those Hummingbirds are short in numbers.
In the meantime, its vitally important to put all Hummingbirds, including other species who come to nectar-filled feeders, well being first. Which means any prospect of wild birds coming to harm, must result in a fence location being avoided at all costs.
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