bucket feeder

[Chicken Rustler]

I have one of the big metal feeders hanging and it does the same thing but as the chickens peck at it the food does come down slow. Also if ya have layers are ya gonna have somebody gather eggs and check on yer flock? If so have them shake the feeder !

 

[sotelomary]

Well it's feast or famine!

I made the rectangle 3" cuts but they were about 1" wide instead of the 3/4" recommended. The holes were already that wide so we could'nt do anything about that.

Now the feed is on the ground! I think that with very little pecking the chickens are spilling it. The tray is pretty full on some parts. But I think that I can now go on vacation without worrying about my chickens starving. When I get back, I'll get another bucket and make the rectangles narrower to see if that works. I'm getting closer!

Thank you arizonaness for your great idea!
Mary

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Raise the feeder so that the feed itself is level with the backs of the chickens and it will lessen your feed on the ground. I never get feed on the ground and I use crumbles. You want it to where the only thing the chickens can do is just stick their head over the lip and get the feed. You don't want them to be able to look down on the feed because then they can use their beaks to sling it out of there. Oh and I guess maybe I should have mentioned that if you are using a five gallon bucket your planter bottom should only be 16in and not 20 inch. Anything bigger than 16 inch and there is too much space for them to play around with. Have a great vacation.

 

[sotelomary]

Thank you arizonanessa for those great tips!

I do have the bucket raised but it is not at their back level even though I knew that. My husband raised it and I didn't want to bother him too much. He already grumbles about all that he has to do for my chickens! Lucky for me, he still does everything I ask.

I will have hubby raise it. He will prefer this than to make another one.

I can't remember if I have the 16 or 20" tray. I will check and do as you suggest. I don't know how crucial that 3/4" measurement is. I will do the above changes first and if they don't work, I'll make another bucket with exactly 3/4" wide rectangles.

Mary

 

[ptjeff]

i chose this method and so far its been great.

the tube out the side is actually a 3 1/2" elbow with about half the ring cut off.
look on you tube for robbob