Fermented feed feeder

[Beekissed]

From the looks of those slop feeders they have a galvanized feeder tray....not something you want FF sitting around in for long. It will corrode those kind of feeders and the metals will leach into the feed. And it doesn't take long at all for that to happen...a day will do it.

 

[aart]

Brilliant I was thinking nipples for it too but I've never used them before, is there a non leaky sort? I would be concerned that the water part of barrel design would run dry. I agree on the 500 gallons! My bad it's 45 gallon drum that I would be putting the 5 gallon mash bucket into. I just figure with the power used it would be more sustainable in these broke *** times lol

Actually, shorter but same diameter barrel might be better 30-35gal....
....and, well, it's not really a feeder, per se, as I don't know how they could feed out of it(and you'd have to keep them off the top of it),
but rather a warm place for fermentation right in the coop where it's easy to dole out for eating how ever many times a day.
Keeping it from freezing while they eat is a whole nother story.

This is what I use for winter watering, just top it off everyday.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples

 

[Denise6333]

I have an opposite problem from many of you ladies in that I live in the southwest USA with late spring, summer,early fall temps in the 100+ range and covered or not my fermenented feed will mold.
I only currently have 3 hens so keep tupperwares in my pantry in rotation. I make enough for apx 2 says at a time. One fermenting, one dry and ready to go. The current in the frig. I feed twice a day. Once after I collect eggs and again in the evening to make sure to entice them back in. (they run/co-op at night and have address to the and my yard all day)
My hardest part is keeping the dogs from sneaking in and gobbling up the fermented feed. They love it too.

 

[Leigti]

Just thought I'd check in to see if anyone has come up with the holy grail fermenter/feeder! Great thread regardless, thanks for sharing all of the brainstorming.

I have been using a vinyl gutter put between two cinderblocks. It’s been there for a couple years now and is working great.

 

[LindaB220]

I was pretty turned off of fermented feed because of going out multiple times a day to dish it up for the birds. I have two flocks and two coops, 2 to open 2 to close that's enough coop trips for me. Adding in changing water, filling the feeder ( every few days ) and collecting eggs I did not feel like increasing my work load so no FF for me....
Then I had a thought after seeing this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...te-5-gallon-25-feed-bucket-feeder-for-about-3 Maybe I could make a FF feeder and make my feed in it while the birds feed from them. Another down fall of FF for me was making it indoors ( ok well my husband didn't want it inside

) and this feeder is taking care of all the things we didn't like about FF.
So for about a week and a half maybe two I have been using this

The PVC price cost $6.99 CDN. With my first feeder I used a household silicone, after 5 days the seal broke, my second feeder I used a marine silicone ( $20 or so ) the bond is holding well still.
I've used 2 kinds of FF the first is just a warm water and feed mix, the other I tossed some "critical care" probiotic mix in. The latter mix matured much faster in the cool coop temps, say 3 days the first took around 6 to develop. Now when I go out in the morning I stir it and replace the lid, every 3 or so days I need to add a bit of water to keep it moving into the PVC ( I keep a small jug of water in each coop ). Once the FF really gets going you can't keep the lid sealed tight or the build up of gas pushes the food out before it can be eaten, and makes a mess. Holes in the lid would also help this, but as the feed level gets low the gas is helpful... I'll have to do a bit of a test run and see if holes are the way to go

Trace and cut your hole exactly if not smaller than the size of the pipe ( I used 3" PVC)






Run the silicone around the both the external and internal seams of the hole, let it cure, and proceed with making your FF.


Now bring it out to you birds. This feeder works for both chickens and ducks, and its low enough for my bantam hen. It's not perfect, but for me it works. During the first few days while fermentation picks up I found that a little water sits atop the feed in the feeding pipe, I scoop it out and add it back into the main bucket when I stir the feed in the morning.
Any thoughts on improvement would be appreciated.

I'll be eagerly watching to see how this works for you. I don't have enough chickens this winter to do it but I will in the spring. For both coops. Good luck. And keep posting.

Edited: I went back and looked at the pics again. You use only the bucket and a 3" pvc shoulder pipe. Correct? And good silicone.

 

[BriardChickens]

Brilliant idea! I will have to try it come spring. If I start to ferment feed this winter, I could only feed it twice a day, not free freed as it would freeze (my prediction anyway).

I do wonder if you turned the pipe 180° would the chickens be able to reach the bottom of the pail as it empties? Or would the feed just dump out on its own

I'll take my silly thinking hat off now...

 

[hennible]

Just a bucket pipe and silicone

Once the feed is level with the pipe opening it's not easy of the birds to get... The ducks can reach but not the chickens.... And then you have to add more feed so it sits at the top of the pipe, so next time I'd like to try this

And see if it works... The pipe would have to be a "U" and I'd attach it to the centre on the bottom, then build a stand...
I think the feed would run out if I turned it to a 180 rather than a 90... It's amazing how fast the stuff feeds down and until it's nearly empty it fills up the pipe nicely

 

[lalaland]

this is brilliant! I am going to try it next spring - it would freeze here soon.
Please keep us posted on how it goes, how it holds up!

 

[hennible]

I will. It will freeze here soon so the feeders won't work much longer... Unless I put it on one of those cookie tin heaters maybe... Hmmm might try it.

 

[Double Kindness]

I'm trying to figure out how to keep water unfrozen and ff unfrozen and not stuck on my chickens

Let us know how it goes with a cookie tin warmer.