Ideas and Suggestions Wanted

[Lisa]

Here at CJs we are always striving to provide new products to help care for UK wild birds and wildlife.

We welcome any suggestions for new products or improvements to existing products.

We would also like to hear from you if you have any comments or suggestions regarding the service provided by CJ Wildbird Foods.

We look forward to reading any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Lisa Veale
New Product Co-ordinator, CJ Wildbird Foods.

[Janet]

There are two products I have wanted for a long long time and cannot get anywhere. Well they’re not exactly new products, could be just adjustments to current ones. :)

Bird Table with Roof and Wire Sides
I shall within the next few weeks be purchasing one of CJ’s Pole Mounted BTs with the mesh bottom to it. However I have a problem with pigeons and need the table to have a roof and wire sides so access is only for small/medium birds. Therefore I am going to have to add my own roof and use garden mesh for the sides.

The design of the one you have seems great with the mesh floor (more hygenic and easier to clean than a wooden floor I imagine) and perfect that it is pole mounted. But would it be possible to design and sell one with a top and sides?


Peanut Feeder with Solid Centre
I have been feeding peanuts from a wire feeder for a few years and find that the peanuts do not keep longer than a few weeks. There must be rather a lot of feeders around with some mouldy nuts, as I’m sure not all realise how fast they deteriorate and check and replace them often enough. As mouldy nuts can kill birds it is something I have tried to overcome without wanting to simply throw them away. Just put less in you may say, but then with a half ull feeder there is only roon for one or two to feed. What I needed was not too many nuts but large surface area.

I have been using a thin upturned spice jar inside my nut feeder (just a normal cylinder wire nut feeder). It means that the nuts are only around the outside of the feeder for the birds. There is then a large surface area of nuts but not loads piled up in the middle. With a smaller quantity in the feeder they don’t have time to degenerate.

It has certainly helped me but a spice jar isn’t ideal! As it moves around whilst filling the feeder and is too short. I would love to see a wire nut feeder with a solid centre piece to keep the nuts around the outside. Ideally this would be screw in so it could easily be removed for cleaning. If it means less mouldy nuts about then it can’t be bad.

Hope you understood all that! Bet you wish you hadn’t asked!! LOL! :D

[Lisa]

Thank you for the feedback, both are excellent ideas and I will certainly put your suggestions forward as potential new items for the future.

[Birdman]

Although a newbie in this forum but not with CJ, but I would like to pass comment on the trays that are screwed onto the bottom of seed holders, and my point is...'rain water'...it's ok having small holes drilled in for water to disperse, BUT it never does since the birdseed blocks the holes and eventually it become a drinking station for them instead ( Oh!, that's good you say, and I agree ) but since the design is to allow water to drain away...would it not be better if a wire mesh of sorts was used instead?

And on another somewhat humourous note, pidgeons seem to use it now as a feeding platform..

Always a good service and good food...continue with your good work.

[Shamal]

Although a newbie in this forum but not with CJ, but I would like to pass comment on the trays that are screwed onto the bottom of seed holders, and my point is...'rain water'...it's ok having small holes drilled in for water to disperse, BUT it never does since the birdseed blocks the holes and eventually it become a drinking station for them instead ( Oh!, that's good you say, and I agree ) but since the design is to allow water to drain away...would it not be better if a wire mesh of sorts was used instead?

And on another somewhat humourous note, pidgeons seem to use it now as a feeding platform..

Always a good service and good food...continue with your good work.

Hi Birdman, welcome along.

A cracking suggestion, I have the same problem and I expect many others do. I did enlarge some of the holes but it didn't really help.

I know what you mean about the Woodpigeon and Collared Doves getting on them, so I utilise the holes and wedge some very thin but stiff plastic in them so they act as spikes. It deters the Pigeons but not the small birds.

Shamal

[Birdman]

I know what you mean about the Woodpigeon and Collared Doves getting on them, so I utilise the holes and wedge some very thin but stiff plastic in them so they act as spikes. It deters the Pigeons but not the small birds.
-------------------
Also a excellent idea Shamal and thanks for the warm greetings..

Talking of scattering 'wild' bird seed on the lawn, oh such a lovely thought but now I have more wild wheat growing than I do grass..(smile) maybe that would be better than grass seed, it certainly grows faster and thicker..LOL
And all for the sake of our feathered friends..LOL

[Birdman]

Here at CJs we are always striving to provide new products to help care for UK wild birds and wildlife.

We welcome any suggestions for new products or improvements to existing products.

We would also like to hear from you if you have any comments or suggestions regarding the service provided by CJ Wildbird Foods.

We look forward to reading any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Lisa Veale
New Product Co-ordinator, CJ Wildbird Foods.
-------------
Lisa.

You know the wife came home with a packet of unshucked peanuts, something we always used to buy but seems to have faded from sight of late,
So I was wondering if such a item could be brought back into circulation, unless you consider them to be a messy food to handle.....The hours, over time, we have watched a squirrel squatting on the lawn just nibbling at the husk before gaining the nut inside, also would stop the pidgeons and doves from consuming them..they have their own rations...LOL

[nocturnal_nancy]

Although a newbie in this forum but not with CJ, but I would like to pass comment on the trays that are screwed onto the bottom of seed holders, and my point is...'rain water'...it's ok having small holes drilled in for water to disperse, BUT it never does since the birdseed blocks the holes and eventually it become a drinking station for them instead ( Oh!, that's good you say, and I agree ) but since the design is to allow water to drain away...would it not be better if a wire mesh of sorts was used instead?

And on another somewhat humourous note, pidgeons seem to use it now as a feeding platform..

Always a good service and good food...continue with your good work.

Just like to say that I have this problem too and find that any bird seed dropped in to the tray (by the birds) become an unedible and horrible mess, and yes it blocks the tiny drain holes.

A mesh tray would probably be a better option as currently tiny holes do not drain rain water away.

Which brings me to the suggestion that I have.

With heavy rainfall, I find that the water still somehow gets in to the feeders via the feeding ports, making the food wet, which the birds (mine anyway)don't like and therefore don't eat.

What I would like to see are rain guards that can be placed on top of the (pole mounted) feeders in order to try to stop the rain from getting in. Something similar to the clear squirrel guard domes that you can get. They'd have to be an optional addition though as during the summer months where we may get a few days or even weeks if lucky without rainfall, they would not be needed.

NN

PS. My pigeons don't need a tray to perch on, they've discovered how to use the perching rings at the feeding ports :eek:

[Birdman]

Greetings Nancy
That sounds a suitable idea Nancy although I would have modified it slightly with a wind breaker attached to one side so as to prevent the wind direction of the capped seed holder being buffeted and saturated by the prevailing wind and rain, since rain never really falls down in a verticial plane.
Oh the things we do and devise in order that our feathered friends receive the greated attention..
Best wishes.

[storye_book]

Here at CJs we are always striving to provide new products to help care for UK wild birds and wildlife.

We welcome any suggestions for new products or improvements to existing products.

We would also like to hear from you if you have any comments or suggestions regarding the service provided by CJ Wildbird Foods.

We look forward to reading any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Lisa Veale
New Product Co-ordinator, CJ Wildbird Foods.

I would like to use your candelabra arms to get the height for several feeders, and would like to fix the large (1-litre) fat feeder on top - but it has a socket-fixing underneath it which will not fit over any top-fixings on the candelabra arms (according to what I can see from your catalogue photo). Please could you produce an attachment to solve the problem?

I imagine it would be something like: a piece of dowel/tubing about 6 ins long, with something halfway along it to prevent it falling through the candelabra socket - e.g. a nail stuck through the dowel, or a skirt moulded onto the tubing. Then the bottom half goes in the candelabra socket, and the top half sticks up so you can slide the fat feeder socket over it.

I don't really want to hang the fat feeder on its chain, as I bought it to attract blackbirds, starlings etc which like plenty of room to stand on top. Thanks.

[Lisa]

I would like to use your candelabra arms to get the height for several feeders, and would like to fix the large (1-litre) fat feeder on top - but it has a socket-fixing underneath it which will not fit over any top-fixings on the candelabra arms (according to what I can see from your catalogue photo). Please could you produce an attachment to solve the problem?

I imagine it would be something like: a piece of dowel/tubing about 6 ins long, with something halfway along it to prevent it falling through the candelabra socket - e.g. a nail stuck through the dowel, or a skirt moulded onto the tubing. Then the bottom half goes in the candelabra socket, and the top half sticks up so you can slide the fat feeder socket over it.

I don't really want to hang the fat feeder on its chain, as I bought it to attract blackbirds, starlings etc which like plenty of room to stand on top. Thanks.
Thank you for your comments, it is a very good point. We will look at this and see how we can make this improvement.

Many thanks

Lisa

[storye_book]

hi. please would you urgently ask your webmaster to clear out the pornographic messages on this system? thanks.

[Lisa]

Thank you for making us aware of this. We apologise for any offence caused, this has now been deleted from the forum.

[storye_book]

Thanks Lisa. It didn't really offend me - it just got in the way when you tried reading the proper messages. Cheers and thanks for removing it.

[ExtraMedium]

It would be really nice if CJ would come up with a sampler sized pack of each feed, so we could try new feeds out without fear of waste or staleness.

We have a local department type market/store called Instore, I think they are also called Poundstretchers in some parts of the country too. They sell packs of nuts at say 50 pence that are just enough to fill one of their feeders, or maybe not quite fill them. They also do black sun flower seeds and loads of others, in that same sort of size.

It means you can just give a certain type of feed a try, to see how it goes in your locality. If CJ would do this it would be great, but I'd rather like to see a pack that does maybe two fills of a small Defender or something like that, it would be a great way to try something new out, especially since many report buying a lot of a certain type of feed and then finding the birds are not interested, which seems a shame due to wasting the stuff really.

This would allow you to find a firm favourite first and only then stock up if it's a really popular one for your area, and not just novelty value that made them go for it to start with.

Also good for this sort of time of year when birds can get a bit choosy about what they actually fancy eating! You could switch feeds very often
if that's what they want.

The small packs stay fresher for each and every refill they do too. Actually a strip of these "one fill" pouches would be great. Like a string of sausages if you like! Seed in layflat tubing, and just tear/cut one off as needed! That could be so neat and definitely handy! Why has that not happened before I wonder? You could make it economically viable too then.:)

[angie a]

I used a piece of plastic water pipe, cut to the height of the feeder. This gives a gap of about half inch around the edge to fill with nuts.. This means the nuts get eaten before going off. Much more economical when you haven't go a lot of bluetits etc.

[Hil]

Nesting material (ie wool) in a hanger. I find the tits use this a lot when building their nests.

Fat that comes in pellets

And as suggested above easier to clean perch ring feeders

[bird lady]

I have many of your bird feeders for seed & nuts and have 2 round trays that screw on to the bases of feeders but for one I have lost the plastic screw part. Would be great if spare ones were able to be boight would save me having mess!

[Nuthatch]

I have many of your bird feeders for seed & nuts and have 2 round trays that screw on to the bases of feeders but for one I have lost the plastic screw part. Would be great if spare ones were able to be boight would save me having mess!

Hi Bird lady. Have you tried contacting CJs asking for one? I had the same problem with a guardian and feeder and CJs responded instantly and sent me a couple free of charge. An excellent service as usual.

[Hil]

Hi

Yes do try requesting from CJ. I've got a few replacements free of charge as they do break every now and again. I phoned once and since then when I order online, if necessary, I put the request in the "any other comments" box. Great service.

[Alastair]

Birdman, I told CJ about the seed trays when the floods were on and redrilled mine the best I found was 11/64ths size drill. The size they have doesn`t work
Best
Alastair :)

[ExtraMedium]

Do get in touch with them as they do indeed seem to look after customers well enough.

It would be truly great if spare parts were readily available to buy if one would like to. Things can wear out from time to time, and I've no objection to paying a reasonable amount to easily order and get the parts I need when it suits me time wise.

I make great use of the online purchase as I don't always find that the time I have free allows for phoning, and getting to a post box often has issues for me too. Online however I can do whenever I find I have time, so it's very convenient I have found for buying items, but not spares sadly.

I would also like to see standard metric sizes used more and more with CJ stuff - getting things to fit if you have to find a way of custom fitting a feeder makes it very challenging indeed sometimes. OK if you have a workshop I suppose, but not if you just buy nuts and bolts, metal tube and bar etc. from local stores, who now sell items only in metric in many cases.

[bird lady]

I have many of your bird feeders for seed & nuts and have 2 round trays that screw on to the bases of feeders but for one I have lost the plastic screw part. Would be great if spare ones were able to be boight would save me having mess!


Many thanks CJ rec'd one FOC from you in the post.:)

[Jenny]

Lisa,

I'd like to thank CJs for their help in sorting out my problem with garden poles.

I'm more than happy to pay for spares (like the spike that got lost recently when the workmen were in or when - after some years' hard service, the screw system for a seed tray fails. I don't know how much this would affect CJs sales, but if customers could have a list of spares and pay for them with their ordinary order, how much would CJs lose???

Second question (on basis that you have to be losing money getting goods to my remote location - hence trying to balance a big order against a pensioner's income:eek: ) is there some way that customers sign up to a DD scheme of X per month to help spread our costs and your cash flow? I suspect this wouldn't be economically viable but just asking!

[Jenny]

Hi Lisa

Take it this is a no go, then??

Jenny

[AmandaMoo]

Hello

I'd like to make a new suggestion on something that would be useful. I hope I'm supposed to just continue under Jenny's post?

They are called WindowAlert which are shapes designed to warn birds to prevent window strikes. They work by reflecting ultraviolet light which is visable to birds but not humans. Do you think this might be something you will stock in the future CJ's?

AmandaMoo 80)

[Lisa]

Thank you for your suggestion.

It is certainly something we could look at trialling. We already stock Window Webs and Sentinels which serve the same purpose and are very successful.

I will pass your suggestion onto my colleague for consideration.

Many thanks

Lisa

[Jandy]

Hil, If you're a member of the RSPB, you'll find in their catalogue an apple-shaped wool pot complete with sheeps wool filling for nesting birds, & they also do a refill. They also have 'Sunflower drops', coated in suet, & 'Fruity nibbles', made from suet & raisin. CJs have suet pellets, with insects, with berries, or original.

I recently put out CJ's Ground Treats, but - be warned - I put them in one section of my new 3-part ground feeder tray, it rained heavily, & they turned into mush, completely blocking the mesh. I now just sprinkle them on the grass.

[Jandy]

It is obviously extra important at the moment to clean feeders regularly, and I have for a long time used CJ's Ark-Klens, but I find it has two major disadvantages in use.

Firstly, when quite a large quantity of feeders need to be cleaned (I currently have 7), a bottle of Ark-Klens runs out relatively quickly, and I think it would be helpful if it could be produced in a larger size (500ml?).

Secondly, I find that the design of the bottle makes using it very laborious and time-consuming. The business of filling up the 10ml section takes forever, and squeezing the bottle doesn't seem to help. I would like to see a standard bottle with a single child-proof cap, and the cap to double as a 10ml measure. This, combined with the larger bottle mentioned above, would see me cleaning my feeders in record time, and so not only assisting me in my busy life, but also getting the food put out for the birds sooner.

[wanda]

does anyone know how to take care of a baby squirrel that was cut by a chainsaw?

[Pine Marten]

best thing is to take it to a wild animal hospital. A word of caution, if it is a grey one it is not allowed to be put back into the wild.

Pine marten.

[Jandy]

How did this come about, Wanda? Was the baby squirrel in a drey at the time, or was it half-grown? I would think if it weren't tiny, the noise of a chainsaw would have it half a mile away in a matter of minutes!

[Lisa]

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the delay in replying to your recent comments and suggestions.

Regarding spare parts that some of you have queried, we are moving towards offering those for sale that are most frequently requested and now offer the pole plugs for sale in our handbook and online. Unfortunately it is difficult for us to offer all our components for sale as there are so many but if you ever have any problems with any aspect of a product you have bought from CJs, please do not hesitate to contact us and we shall do our best to correct the problem for you.

Jandy, regarding the problems you are having with Ark-Klens, I am going to pass your comments onto our quality control department and ask that they look into this. Also, regarding your question about a direct debit scheme, this is something we are looking into and more information will be sent to customers if/when we are able to offer this service.

Wanda, I would suggest contacting the RSPCA who will be able to advise you, their 24 hour advice line is 0300 1234 999.

Thank you again to everyone for you comments and questions.

All the best

[Jandy]

Re spare parts, I have four Defender seed feeders, each with four ports, two of which are now quite old. I've noticed in the case of the latter two, wear and tear has resulted in damage to the polycarbonate tubes beneath the bottom ports, and also one has a crack on its top edge. All the metal parts are fine, so I'm wondering whether it is possible to get the tubes separately? Also, are you any further along with the possible supply of feeders which are easier to reassemble? My hubby says he always knows when I'm cleaning them because of the poorly stifled bad language echoing through the house!

[Jenny]

Hi, I've same problem as Jandy with tubes. I think it could be because of the wear and tear with cleaning, particularly with removing the metal base.

Can anyone let me know if the round base supporting candelbra pole set-up would be any good for helping keeping a single feeder on a pole standing in soggy ground from leaning - due partly to prevailing winds and also pigeons? I was thinking of getting one and inserting long pegs to help hold it in position.

Thanks,
Jenny

[Alastair]

Hi Jandy,
I have had CJ send me replacement nuts and bolts for the feeder you mention and also the polycarbonate tubes which cracked those came at a price.

I have looked at all the bird food and hardware suppliers and I think CJ are the best nationwide. OK on some items you might find them a tiny bit cheaper elsewhere but CJ have been really good to me so I stay with them for everything.
A Happy New Year Jenny
Best wishes
Alastair :)

No I am NOT a shareholder in CJ - - - - - - lol :) :) :)

[kittieconnor]

It is not very easy at all to find where the button is to post a new thread. I have tried on several occassions and then logged out as I could not find it!

[Penna]

It is not very easy at all to find where the button is to post a new thread. I have tried on several occassions and then logged out as I could not find it!

I am a very long way from being even average on my computer, so the forum sometimes makes my brain hurt.
The new thread button is a third of the way down on the left, you click on that and type your title , post your message and away you go.....................

http://www.cjwildlifeforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8

I hope this helps ...if not i'm sure Lisa or another poster will help.:)

[Lisa]

Thanks for your post Penna. I am working on some instructions with screen shots but I am having trouble making the file small enough to upload.

I will persevere and upload it as soon as I can.