It can take a little while for birds to come to a new feeder. Are there any dogs or cats inside your fenced area? Sometimes that will deter birds at a new feeder.

I've heard of people installing a baffle to deter squirrels but i just accept that they're hungry too which is why I have 6 or 8 feeders around my yard.

That is something to try 'juliet' as I have refuse to restock the "bird" feeders with suet. I am "impressed" by the patience and resourcefulness of these rodents as they stop at nothing to get any and all food.

(Now that I think of it...are you actually using a feeder intended for squirrels?)

If you really don't want the squirrels to get the suet, you need to put it on a pole that accepts a raccoon baffle and no where near any trees or anything the squirrels can jump on to get to the suet on the pole with the raccoon baffle. Just the way it is. I've never had squirrels able to climb up that system of mine. Now the seed I throw into our driveway, they're always there. But that's okay with me.

Hi all, I gave up trying to repel the rodents and instead purchased this "Squirrel Buster" feeder:

https://bromebirdcare.com/squirrelbuster-suet/

In the time we have had it in use I am very pleased with its performance.

Try adding hot pepper. Birds don’t taste it but squirrels do.