Automatic feeder!

[Rich386]

Quote:

 

[ringfinger]

Here is mine I made with a 3/8" x 8" eye bolt and a 5 gallon bucket. Doesn't get cheaper than that. I made the hole larger than shown in the pictures, just shy of 1" diameter. It works like a charm! It took 24 hours for the first to learn the trick, and I ended up tying a small piece of ribbon to the bolt to encourage pecking.

 

[hosspak]

What type of feed do you use in your feeder?

 

[ringfinger]

Layer pellet. 5 to 10 fall out with each peck. I'd definitely test a few sizes on coffee cans to get the right setting.

 

[jimmywalt]

Here is mine I made with a 3/8" x 8" eye bolt and a 5 gallon bucket. Doesn't get cheaper than that. I made the hole larger than shown in the pictures, just shy of 1" diameter. It works like a charm! It took 24 hours for the first to learn the trick, and I ended up tying a small piece of ribbon to the bolt to encourage pecking.

Now that is one nice set up, but what does your wife think about you using her outdoor table?

 

[vegaschick]

I love my trigger feeders!!! Best product ever...well, along side the chicken nipples! My girls had no problems learning how to use them because I cheated! I filled the bucket half way with BOSS (the girls favorite treat) and it worked like a charm. After a few days, and refills, I switched to pellets and the rest is history. I loved the saucer on a stump idea but had no stumps available so this is what I came up with....


I filled the pot with big rocks so that it is very heavy and steady! Not shown in picture, I also placed blocks and rocks around base to allow easier access for the hens.


This was a great way to recycle a holey canner! We affixed the two bottoms together and set big rocks inside. Strong, sturdy and I love to hear and see the girls use this awesome product. Revolutionary!





This summer we tried using a spoon in place of the trigger ... it worked. Just saying!


Also, we worried about the feed not funneling out properly so we re-purposed the top of a big water bottle and duct taped it in. Here are some process photos.








Keeps feed clean, dry, safe from rodent/wild birds and teaches chickens better foraging habits. No wasted feed here! Totally worth the shipping money not to have wasted feed!

 

[hosspak]

I love my trigger feeders!!! Best product ever...well, along side the chicken nipples! My girls had no problems learning how to use them because I cheated! I filled the bucket half way with BOSS (the girls favorite treat) and it worked like a charm. After a few days, and refills, I switched to pellets and the rest is history. I loved the saucer on a stump idea but had no stumps available so this is what I came up with....


I filled the pot with big rocks so that it is very heavy and steady! Not shown in picture, I also placed blocks and rocks around base to allow easier access for the hens.


This was a great way to recycle a holey canner! We affixed the two bottoms together and set big rocks inside. Works like a charm!





This summer we tried using a spoon in place of the trigger ... it worked. Just saying!

Well done, You could have cut that pot across about 4 inches from the top, then placed the pan on top, for better access. Good job.

 

[allergymama]

I know this post is a little old, but I am inspired by this idea. Will/does it work with non-pelleted feed?

 

[oldcaptainrusty]

Allergymama I have fed both crumbles and pellets with my trigger feeder, you cut the hole in the bottom of the feeder based on what size feed you are using. I started with the layer crumbles and used a 1/2" hole, when I went to the pellets I had to increase the hole size to 5/8". My girls liked the pellets better than the crumbles. HTH

 

[hosspak]

I know this post is a little old, but I am inspired by this idea. Will/does it work with non-pelleted feed?

Cap is right, it's all about the size of the hole and the bolt.






You can use smaller buckets, you can also use a large PVC tube and out the hole in the end cap and a small eye bolt for mash or crumble feed.