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

[aart]

Quote: Thanks @LindaB220 !!
Didn't have to register....just waited until that annoying 'login or register' popup goes away.

 

[aart]

Above shows the 3 stations. Far left holds Grit, middle holds Feed, far right holds Crushed Oyster shells. Far left and right are capped. 2 foot pipe probably holds over a years supply of grit and oyster shell.

How many birds can feed out of that at one time?

I think it would cause a peckfest clustertangle in my coop with 15 birds! I have 3 feed stations that I divvy the days ration between and they all get used, often with 2 or more birds at a time.

 

[RonP]

I currently have a dozen birds.

As posted, this is only an indoor backup feeder.

It will serve 1 bird at a time.

I find that having a constant food source, none are that hungry as to cause a food riot.

They seem to just wait out the pecking order.

 

[evemfoster]

I posted this on another section.

With all my down time, I came up with this idea for an extended indoor feeding station. I just built it this weekend.

Mind you, the flock spends their waking time, and eats, 90% outdoors, in an enclosed secure run.
I feed them fermented feed whenever possible...

I built this mostly for peace of mind, and as a backup.



Three stations, 3" PVC pipes with Y fitting. Concrete 16" paver block for nail and beak maintenance. It is sitting on 2 8" cinder blocks, I use deep litter.




Middle station is for feed. Picture shows the reserve, a 5 gallon reused water bottle with the funnel, a cutoff of another 5 gallon water bottle for extra reserve. It will easily hold 30+ pounds. It probably will last well over a month, if used exclusively. The reserve empties straight down into the middle feeder.



Above shows the 3 stations. Far left holds Grit, middle holds Feed, far right holds Crushed Oyster shells. Far left and right are capped. 2 foot pipe probably holds over a years supply of grit and oyster shell.



Another picture of the feed reserve, I'm pretty sure I put close to 40 pounds in there.
The reserve just sits in place, no nails or glue.

Everything can come apart easily if needed.

It's only been 2 days, but this seems to be working well

.

Just thought I would share in case someone else needed ideas.

Looks very nice.

Do you have any trouble with the chickens wanting to roost on the blue crate or the bottles. Or do you have something set up to keep the birds of.

 

[RonP]

Hard to see, but no way for them to roost on the crate, funnel keeps them off.

Funnel is cut to size, inches away from the slanted roof.

Not going to happen here. If it did, I would not use it , and reverse it.

I previously used this reversed funnel on top of the old water can to keep them off.

It also worked great.

 

[Chipper Chicken]

If you get access to something like this it works great for all of those issues of wind,snow, rain, etc. I got mine at a greenhouse supply place, but a farm store could maybe order it in for you...I chose it because it's sturdy, opaque, and long lasting. Also easier to work with than the wavy corrugated type of fiberglass type products and cheaper.

http://www.fiberglasssheets.com/Gre...ss/1-16-x-48-X-96-Flat-Clear-Fiberglass-Sheet

I used this on my original greenhouse to make the end walls, but although we get snow and high winds it's lasted about 20 years. Mine is mounted vertical, not horizontal BTW.
These two pictures show what it looks like RIGHT NOW. it is 20 years old and still holding up. Granted it is not as clear as it used to be, but it looked good for a long time.

Outside west end of GH

Inside looking through sliding door

Edited to add, I just checked the price on the website again, it is pretty expensive there, so I would just use this distributors site as a starting point to track some down. If I have more time later I'll see what I can find and repost.

Ok, I finally had some time to do some research, and found something that MIGHT work. These are 24" x 48" (1/32" thick, but they have 1/4" too) clear panels. What I originally bought came in rolls and I couldn't find the exact same thing. If I were to use this for winter run protection I think I would sandwich it between a double 1 x 2" frame and make it easily detachable/ storable. The rate is $11.23 per panel, so 10 panels (20' wide total) was $112.30 plus a flat $37 shipping (to Oregon). I might get some to swap out on the GH doors since I don't need for run yet.

http://www.eplastics.com/Shopping-Cart?whence

 

[Chipper Chicken]

Hard to see, but no way for them to roost on the crate, funnel keeps them off.

Funnel is cut to size, inches away from the slanted roof.

Not going to happen here. If it did, I would not use it , and reverse it.

I previously used this reversed funnel on top of the old water can to keep them off.

It also worked great.

I planning on using a similar idea for my feeder, but I will be using a thrift store find of a macrame (poly rope) hanger to support the the 5 gal water jug turned feeder. ;~)

 

[Leahs Mom]

Ok, I finally had some time to do some research, and found something that MIGHT work. These are 24" x 48" (1/32" thick, but they have 1/4" too) clear panels. What I originally bought came in rolls and I couldn't find the exact same thing. If I were to use this for winter run protection I think I would sandwich it between a double 1 x 2" frame and make it easily detachable/ storable. The rate is $11.23 per panel, so 10 panels (20' wide total) was $112.30 plus a flat $37 shipping (to Oregon). I might get some to swap out on the GH doors since I don't need for run yet.

http://www.eplastics.com/Shopping-Cart?whence

Can you post another link to the specific product? This one was to the shopping cart and there is nothing in it.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Ridoout plastics is local to me and my old stomping ground.... I have made many a prototype from their cast off bin... your shopping cart is private therefore it doesnt show what you selected.

If you chose a Polycarbonate product you are good to go..... drill clearance holes before fastening to wood. Wood expands and contracts at a different rate than plastic. Clearance holes will allow for that movement. Fasten with screws. This will keep your frames from disintegrating...

Polycarbonate also comes in film form as well

http://www.eplastics.com/Film_Thin_Sheets

But for wall panels to be fabricated its probably best to have it affixed to a frame.

deb

 

[LindaB220]

Ok, I finally had some time to do some research, and found something that MIGHT work. These are 24" x 48" (1/32" thick, but they have 1/4" too) clear panels. What I originally bought came in rolls and I couldn't find the exact same thing. If I were to use this for winter run protection I think I would sandwich it between a double 1 x 2" frame and make it easily detachable/ storable. The rate is $11.23 per panel, so 10 panels (20' wide total) was $112.30 plus a flat $37 shipping (to Oregon). I might get some to swap out on the GH doors since I don't need for run yet.

http://www.eplastics.com/Shopping-Cart?whence

Trying to find which one you had in mind at eplastics. Can you point it out?