IKEA's genius $3 solution lets you hang your bird feeder in seconds

Whether you love birdwatching or your yard attracts beautiful species, feeding birds in the winter can be a rewarding experience. And as temperatures drop, this is the time when our feathered friends rely more on our feeders for survival.

While bird tables are a good choice, bird feeders offer a flexible alternative, as they can be hung from a pole or tree, or mounted directly onto a wall. Trouble is, putting up a bird feeder on a tree or pole can sometimes be tricky due to small hooks and handles that are hard to manage around branches. Plus, you’ll need to ensure that your feeder won’t fall (and be safe from predators).

However, I’ve just discovered a brilliant hack online that offers the perfect, easy solution for hanging a bird feeder. The IKEA HULTARP Hook will only take seconds to install, is durable to hang, and costs only $3.

IKEA HULTARP Hook, black: $3 at IKEA

These s-curved hooks are designed to hang items on a rail and free up countertop space. Made from a sturdy material, these can hold a maximum load of 9 lbs — making them ideal for hanging up items such as bird feeders. These come in a set of five and in three different colors.

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How to use the IKEA HULTRAPP Hook

Originally designed for use in the kitchen to maximize worktop space, the HULTRAPP hooks prove to be a handy tool outdoors, too. For an easy way to hang a bird feeder, simply place the S-hook onto a branch.

It’s recommended that the branch has a diameter of less than three-quarters of an inch to fit properly into the hook's top curve. What’s more, if you need more stability, you can always secure the feeder by screwing through the hook's pre-drilled hole to be on the safe side.

Another thing to bear in mind is to ensure your feeders are located in an open space and are high enough to keep them safe from predators.

Alternatively, you could make your own coconut shell feeders. These can be made from suet and seed, and are rich in protein. Simply drill a hole in the coconut shell and insert a tie string to create a loop. Next, melt one cup of lard or suet in a saucepan and mix two cups of bird seed into it. Once the mixture is packed into the shell, allow it to set for an hour. Your homemade bird feeder is then ready to be hung on a tree.

And if you really want to get up close and personal, you can always invest in a smart bird feeder like this Birdfy smart bird feeder. This also features night vision that allows you to capture movement on 1080p video quality, so you can watch your favorite birds feast any time of the day. And you can't get better than that!

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