I had to do something. With every feeder we tried, they either tipped it over, got debris in it, ate it, pooped in it, or all four. These new chicks — BCM crosses — are growing very quickly and are much more rowdy than our BRs ever were. They're 8 weeks old and act like unruly teenagers. So, we needed a feeder that was portable, tip-proof, poop-proof, and heavy!
The first thing I did was build a wooden base — a "box o' rox" — for weight, and also to elevate the feeder floor to make it more difficult for them to get debris and bedding inside. The box o' rox is 2.75" high, and 8" X 7". (Those measurements are just because that's what my scrap lumber would allow.)
Before I fastened the lid, we filled the box with rocks and gravel. Then I built the actual feeder on top of the box o' rox. The sides were inspired by an old toolbox design: solid wood pieces that flanked the rock box and extended above it four inches. I then installed a divider board between the two end pieces in order to make two feed bins. Next were the front and back plywood panels to contain the feed. I decided on 1.75 inches high. I nailed the panels to the end pieces. Almost done now. Last to go on was the "roof." That was a scrap of stair tread left over from cutting the end pieces. It had a radiused bullnose along one side, so I planed and sanded the other side to match. The roof is 1 inch narrower than the feeder, and centered front to back. The idea was to improve access to the food but make it difficult to poop into the food bins. Then I screwed the roof onto the top of the end pieces. My wife filled it with feed, then I lowered down into the day pen with a dog leash. Our chicks attacked the food, then walked on top, but couldn't pull it over. Yay! My wife just checked on them and the feeder is *still* upright and clean inside. Double Yay!
Here are some photos —
The first thing I did was build a wooden base — a "box o' rox" — for weight, and also to elevate the feeder floor to make it more difficult for them to get debris and bedding inside. The box o' rox is 2.75" high, and 8" X 7". (Those measurements are just because that's what my scrap lumber would allow.)
Before I fastened the lid, we filled the box with rocks and gravel. Then I built the actual feeder on top of the box o' rox. The sides were inspired by an old toolbox design: solid wood pieces that flanked the rock box and extended above it four inches. I then installed a divider board between the two end pieces in order to make two feed bins. Next were the front and back plywood panels to contain the feed. I decided on 1.75 inches high. I nailed the panels to the end pieces. Almost done now. Last to go on was the "roof." That was a scrap of stair tread left over from cutting the end pieces. It had a radiused bullnose along one side, so I planed and sanded the other side to match. The roof is 1 inch narrower than the feeder, and centered front to back. The idea was to improve access to the food but make it difficult to poop into the food bins. Then I screwed the roof onto the top of the end pieces. My wife filled it with feed, then I lowered down into the day pen with a dog leash. Our chicks attacked the food, then walked on top, but couldn't pull it over. Yay! My wife just checked on them and the feeder is *still* upright and clean inside. Double Yay!
Here are some photos —
