DIY PVC Feeder Design - looking for feedback!

[PNW keeper]

I've been researching different feeders for my flock of 8 chickens (half are bantam size, half are med-large).

Some of my design parameters include:

- no daily visit required (no capping for rodent prevention, but coop is fully enclosed and has a 12" skirt of hardware cloth vertically and horizontally around the perimeter)
- can be filled from outside of the coop (thus the 45 degree angle pieces)
- minimal mess
- can handle a flock as many as 8

I was inspired by a few other DIY feeders:
https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/diy-no-spill-chicken-feeder/
https://www.instructables.com/PVC-Chicken-Feeder-1/
https://patchtotable.com/diy-chicken-feeder-manual-info/

Here is my design below. All uses 3" piping and connectors. The base of the unit would be filled with sand + crushed oyster shell so its not just food pilling up.
I would prefer to glue it all together to prevent moisture getting in, but may sacrifice the ability to do as well of a cleanout.

Looking for thoughts / feedback / builds. Please be constructive with your comments!

 

[NatJ]

Here is my design below. All uses 3" piping and connectors. The base of the unit would be filled with sand + crushed oyster shell so its not just food pilling up.

I would not fill the base with sand and oyster shell. It's usually best to have those separate from the food.

Is there a reason to fill the base with anything?
Maybe you can make it shorter so there is no extra space, or maybe you can pour in something that dries into a hard lump to take up the space. (I'm thinking of glue, epoxy, concrete, or something of the sort.)

 

[PNW keeper]

I would not fill the base with sand and oyster shell. It's usually best to have those separate from the food.

Is there a reason to fill the base with anything?
Maybe you can make it shorter so there is no extra space, or maybe you can pour in something that dries into a hard lump to take up the space. (I'm thinking of glue, epoxy, concrete, or something of the sort.)

Putting sand and oyster shell was just meant as a way to take up that space but still have the ability to empty it, not for the chickens to eat. I've read that people with similar "Y" type feeders end up with caked feed at the bottom that's hard to remove and is more likely to mold.

Epoxy or concrete is an interesting idea. I'll consider this.

 

[DavidReaves]

I'm interested in seeing this once it's finished.