How to make a homemade feeder? And, is whole corn good to feed?

[Sally_Faverolles_20]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knows how to make a simple, easy, whole corn/layer pellet feeder for chickens? I would like something that keeps the food dry when it rains. I was also wondering if it is a good idea to feed whole corn?
Thanks!
- Clucky

Hi cluckmecoop7, I don't know how to make a feeder, maybe look it up on YouTube? It is definitely fine to feed your chickens whole corn as long as they have access to grit. I feed my chickens corn and they love it!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thank you!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Hi cluckmecoop7, I don't know how to make a feeder, maybe look it up on YouTube? It is definitely fine to feed your chickens whole corn as long as they have access to grit. I feed my chickens corn and they love it!

As their main feed? As a treat? Daily?
How old are they?
How long have you been keeping chickens?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

As their main feed? As a treat? Daily?
How old are they?
How long have you been keeping chickens?

They are a little over 1 year. (Like, a few days!). I've had them since they were two days old.
I give them mostly layer pellets but yes, I'm feeding to much scratch. I want to cut back asap.

 

[21hens-incharge]

They are a little over 1 year. (Like, a few days!). I've had them since they were two days old.
I give them mostly layer pellets but yes, I'm feeding to much scratch. I want to cut back asap.

Mostly was asking @Sally_Faverolles_20.

@cluckmecoop7 If you want to cut back on the scratch.....why not just cut back now?

 

[A & H]

Um, sort of....

I don't want to throw away good corn... (if that's what you really mean't..)

You can stuff a beanbag chair with it if you really cant use it any other way. Corn is actually pretty comfy

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Mostly was asking @Sally_Faverolles_20.

@cluckmecoop7 If you want to cut back on the scratch.....why not just cut back now?

Oops!

 

[Manhen]

Hi cluckmecoop7, I don't know how to make a feeder, maybe look it up on YouTube? It is definitely fine to feed your chickens whole corn as long as they have access to grit. I feed my chickens corn and they love it!

I used 3 feet of 4" plastic PVC pipe with holes drilled around the pipe about 12 inches from one end (small holes) and 4 inches from the other (top) end. Hang the pipe from the top end (I used 1/8 inch aluminum wire). Hang a small (8-9") baking pan that has holes drilled near each corner near the top edge of the sides. run wire through these holes through the ones at the bottom of the PVC pipe, noting you want the pan against the bottom of the pipe. This will not work, and good, the gap lets your feed fall out of the pipe into the pan. Keep it tight enough and they will not spill. With the wires being in the way, keep a funnel nearby to fill it.
I built mine from a junk pile. Another similarly. Then I spent money on commercial ones. I use the home made ones. Go figure.

 

[Fallenone05]

I've got a goat trough in my chicken coop that has pellets and crumble in it for my birds. The pellets are an All-Flock type feed (as I have a rooster and some pullets/cockerels) and the crumble is an 'All-way Feed' that I'm 90% sure is just another All Flock, but is non-medicated and good for chicks.

I live in the state of Oklahoma, and Big V Feeds makes some super nice quality feed that they sell locally! I've noticed my egg production has really gone up since I started using the All-Way Feed and giving oyster shell on the side instead of just layer feed. The All-Flock/All-Way has more protein than Layer feed.

About twice a week I'll throw them some whole oats or sunflower seeds in the yard, and my next bag of fresh goodies is wheat seed. I'd like to sprout the wheat for some extra protein and goodies this coming winter so my birds have greenery when everything is cold and dead.

My girls and boy(s) also free range my yard, weather permitting, for 2 to 3 hours+ daily. We're starting to see the ground turn green with lots of henbit, deadnettle, bluets, some buttercups and other miscellaneous greenery. They /LOVE/ the different flowers and weeds, and their eggs have been absolutely delicious.

I used to give them corn and scratch as I was copying my neighbor, who also gave me most of my chicken advice, but once I read up on chicken care and saw the difference in my birds and hers, I dropped the scratch and corn altogether. Use up your corn, but definitely consider a better whole grain for their treat. I don't know where you live and what's offered around you, but if you've got a good farm supply store maybe check and see if they've got wheat seeds or buy a thing of black oil sunflower seeds (or BOSS as commonly used on these forums). They'll definitely need the grit with the BOSS, though.

Another good treat that's slightly healthier (but should still be limited) are Soldier Worms. They're the freeze-dried larva of black soldier flies and are pretty high in protein and calcium. They're a little expensive but are better for your birds than mealworms, as mealies are mostly high in fats. However, in the summer months, you can make a soldier fly breeding area and gather the larva daily before throwing them to your critters.

Good luck!

 

[Jedstar]

I've just recently found out that dry corn or fresh corn if fed to much of it to the chooks.it tends to make the hens go Clucky/broody.

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knows how to make a simple, easy, whole corn/layer pellet feeder for chickens? I would like something that keeps the food dry when it rains. I was also wondering if it is a good idea to feed whole corn?
Thanks!
- Clucky