DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[moetrout]

This is the counter balance I built for my nest box lid. They get heavy if you shingle them. The white pvc pipe on the right is the weight and is filled with cement. I got lucky with my guess on size for this. When you lift the lid is stays where ever you put it!

Notice the cable that goes from the middle of the lid straight up to a pulley, then right to another pulley and then down to the large cement filled pvc weight. The weight is also on a guide wire the runs top to bottom on the right hand corner to keep it from swinging. If any one wants more detailed pics I have them.

 

[jdeoliveira74]

This is my rain-water collection system under construction.. This will feed my nipple watering system inside the coop. I plan on having removeable couplings so I can take it apart for cleaning and such. So far in testing it catches alot of water and I have several screens for filtering debris out and the water looks great. I wll post more pics as updated. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated....

I just saw something at lowes that you put in the gutter to filter the water before it goes to a collection bucket... may help keep the junk out and water clean. I like the idea do you need to run some type of filter on the water system so the chicks dont get sick??

 

[moetrout]

In his original post he said "I have several screens for filtering debris out and the water looks great."

 

[jdeoliveira74]

well lets see some screens !! I love the idea

 

[Dukeofhawg]

Nice job Trout.... Excellent!!!

 

[Hawgon]

I have regular leaf guards on the gutters and fine mesh at entrance to the barrell...I am looking to put a cheesecloth screen on the exit of the barrell...I was told to not overthink it, these are birds that drink from mud puddles and pick at there own poop.....I know they make a foam filter insert for the gutters but I cant find them locally. Thanks for input...

 

[jaj121159]

This is one of my waterers. I put 12 nipples on the bottom of the tote. It is supported by heavy duty shelf brackets that also make it adjustable. It holds about 14 gallons of water. Right now I have two aquarium heaters on the bottom of the waterer to keep the water from freezing. By being on the bottom over the nipples, the heaters keep several nipples from freezing also. The plywood over the top is screwed on to the wall with hinges. The plywood cover keeps the birds from sitting on top of the waterer. I wasn't sure if this type of tote would be strong enough with the water inside, but it is working great. One nice thing, is that I don't have to take the lid off to check the water level. This is a pretty dusty coop, and the lid seals well enough, even with the cords coming out to keep the water nice and clean.

 

[Hawgon]

Jaj, that is so ingenious.......those totes are pretty tough if u dont cut them up to bad....wondering how I am going to handle cold temp and freezing in the lines and nipples.....might just go with a bucket with nipples during the winter and check water often....do u have an algae problem? Great design!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I have a few pics. This is a pic of a covered outside feeder that is in the chicken yard. I only have to fill it up every 2 weeks. It holds enough feed for 150+ chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, etc. It can stay in the weather and the feed does not get wet or moldy because it has a covered roof.



I"ll look for more pics to post.

I like your range feeder design. I'm going to have to think about making one like it.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I have a few pics. This is a pic of a covered outside feeder that is in the chicken yard. I only have to fill it up every 2 weeks. It holds enough feed for 150+ chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, etc. It can stay in the weather and the feed does not get wet or moldy because it has a covered roof.




I"ll look for more pics to post.

I like your range feeder design.  I'm going to have to think about making one like it.

Thank you. It really comes in handy. I didn't realize how much time I was spending filling up feeders every other day. It was definitely put through the test these last couple of weeks ago when it rained every single day - winds blowing hard and rain blowing sideways. I was a little worried that the feed would get but nothing got wet.

And it works just fine as far as different feeding times because all of the animals eat at different times. The geese and ducks eat later in the evening and the chickens and turkeys eat early in the morning. In addition to this feeder, I still keep a trough feeder under my raised coop as well for those that are pushed out of they way and can't eat at the central station location.

If you decide to make one, please post so we can see. I think you would really enjoy it.