Pet Bird Supplies: How to Repair a Chipped Birdseed Container

Pet bird supplies can become as costly as bird food when it comes to keeping your feathered friend happy and healthy. Between beaks and claws, your pet bird can be hard on the accessories you put into his cage. After your bird’s perch, his bird seed holder will receive the most wear and tear over the years. A chipped bird seed dish is dangerous for your bet bird, as he can either eat plastic bits that have broken off or cut himself on sharp edges. Instead of spending your cash to replace your bird’s food dish, you can repair it with a simple fix.

Step 1 – Clean Feeder

Remove your bird seed feeder as soon as you notice that it is damaged to protect your pet bird from getting hurt. If there are large chips missing from the dish look for them in the bottom of your bird cage before your bird mistakes them for a tasty treat. Use warm soapy water to wash your bird seed feeder thoroughly, careful not to cut yourself on any sharp edges.

Step 2 – Assess Damage

When the bird seed tray is dried, inspect it closely for damage. Damage to look for includes rough edges, large chips and cracks. If large pieces have been chipped from the bird seed dish then try fitting them back into their correct position. Once you know the extent of the damage, you can begin repairing your bird seed tray.

Step 3 – File Edges

Unless they are in their original state, you will need to file down the edges on your bird seed tray. Use a nail file to clean chipped edges until they are smooth. For outside edges you will want to start up one side of the edge and come back down the other side to create a soft, rounded edge. Larger chips will also need to have their edges filed before being glued back together. Filing edged before gluing will allow for a cleaner fit and space for the glue to adhere.

Step 4 – Glue Large Pieces

Larger pieces will need to be glued back into place so your bird seed feeder will work the way it was intended to. Use a toothpick to spread crazy glue along the broken edge of the bird seed tray. Fit the chipped piece back into its original location, holding it in place to allow the glue to adhere to both pieces. Allow the glue to dry overnight before finishing your repairs and reinstalling your bird seed tray in your pet’s cage.

Step 5 – Tape Edges

To protect your pet bird from any sharp edges you might have missed you will need to tape the seed tray’s edges with electrical tape. You will be able to find electrical tape in a color to match your bird seed tray at the local hardware store. Use sharp scissors to create crisp cuts. Use electrical tape to also repair any cracks you find in your bird seed tray, taping along the outside of the feeder.