I did but they told us we can’t feed wild animals and I was unable to stop squirrels from using the feeder.

Who is they?

I have lots of squirrels, but they are unable to get to the feeders.  I had to cut a limb out of a tree to keep one enterprising young fella from jumping off of the limb onto the top of the feeder rig.  It was fun to watch, but I had no desire to feed him, also.  There's plenty of acorns and hickories in the back.

They are the city and their officials. 

 

Findlaw

Is It Legal to Feed Wild Animals?

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While the Humane Society of the United States cautions against feeding wild animals in just about every other capacity, feeding birds and squirrels in your own backyard is generally harmless. But that doesn't mean you can't get legally dinged for setting out a bird feeder.

Some cities or municipalities may have ordinances preventing bird feeders, while others can issue fines against owners whose feeders are not in compliance with the law. You aren't likely to be arrested for illegal bird or squirrel feeders, but you may be facing hundreds of dollars in fines.  https://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2014/07/is-it-legal-to-feed-wild-animals.html

What is the specific ordinance prohibiting feeding birds or setting impossible conditions for legal bird feeders?

I don’t have the ordinance in front of me but I was told by LE that steep fines can be levied on people for feeding wildlife from their homes because of the dangers of illness or attracting other animals.  The main problems are in areas with coyote or mountain lion or other dangerous animals.  Or a lot of rats. Squirrels are rodents and are considered vermin.

I'd like to know the wording of the ordinance.  Not feeding birds who need it because there's an ordinance against feeding squirrels seems a tad rigid.  No one in your community feeds birds?

Yes, they do. I did for a while.  Then I took a course in environmentally beneficial gardening and replaced the feeder with plants that birds like.  My plants attract birds and bees, and sometimes even butterflies and bugs.

That's a good thing.

The bird feeder was old and falling apart. But it was a nice one before that.