DYI Feeder that hold 200lbs of feed for $24...

[casamc]

Hi All,

For the past couple of years I have been working on designs for an inexpensive homebuilt chicken feeder that would hold a significant amount of feed.

Well, I think I have finally figured it out and I thought I would share it with everyone. All you need to build it is a drill and a razor knife!

I don't know how to import images on this page so I put detailed instruction on my farm blog.

You can see the feeder at: http://www.ajoyfulnoisefarm.com/?p=172

Let me know if it works for you.

Craig
www.ajoyfulnoisefarm.com

 

[1mommahen]

Very Cool!!!!

 

[Mahonri]

I'm looking to do something like that along the south wall of my coop. hmm...

Nice work!

 

[CluckyChuckCrazy]

fab idea i will try it out and let every1 knw how it goes

 

[briteday]

I had the exact same thing going up until this Spring. Then we had the mouse invasion and switched to feeding twice per day. I still have the feeder though! The only caution I have, besides freeloaders, is to be careful of the weight vs the thickness of the plastic can. Buy the thicker walled can. The plastic will begin to buckle if you put too much weight inside of a cheaper can. And also be sure to attach it to a wall or such so that it doesn't tip over onto your birds. My birds liked to sit on top of the can and when enough of them got up there, sort of like everyone shifting to the same side of the boat...The center of gravity, especially when the can is full, is pretty high, then add a few heavy birds up there...I just used a couple of bungie cords through the handles into a few eye bolts in the studs of the coop to be sure it stayed upright. And if anyone has birds that are billing food out you could make a platform of cinder blocks to raise the feeder up a bit off the floor.

 

[casamc]

Hi Briteday,

That's great feedback.

Mice are always a problem. Even when I tried hanging the feeder cans off the ground the little buggers would climb down the chain and eat the feed. I have found that having a pest control plan is the best way to manage mice throughout the year.

Maybe I need to invent a mouse proof feeder?

So far so good on the weight. The can does not seem too stressed and the feed is flowing well out of the can.

Tipping over has not been an issue thus far. The base is fairly wide and sits on the ground.

 

[TigerLilly]

Thanks to this post, I did a smaller version using a 5 gal bucket & a 6 qt (?) feed dish. I used a 1" hole saw attachment & went around the bottom of the bucket. At this time it is just sitting in the feed pan. When empty, I just take the top off the bucket & fill it back up. Awesome idea, casamc!

 

[casamc]

Sure thing!