(((Feedback and questions are welcome.)))
Benefits of this design:
1 - Double-Wye makes it easy for multiple birds to feed at the same time.
2 - Only one feeder to fill for multiple feeding positions
3 - The use of the compression style test plug on the bottom and the press-in style plug on top makes filling and any necessary cleaning easy and tool-free.
4 - Virtually no waste (I spill more filling it than the flock does eating from it.)
5 - Feed is protected from rain - only heavy, driven rain from the right direction is a serious issue.
Required Materials:
Section of 3" Schedule 40 PVC (Length determines capacity - I kept mine short on this one for the pictures)
3" PVC Double-Wye (Regular Single wye optional) (one)
3" Compression-type test plug (one)
3" press-in test plugs (three)
PVC primer and glue (can of each)
Tools:
PVC Cutter (wire style, miter saw, hand saw etc.)
Drill with bit (optional)
File (for cleaning PVC cuts)
1 - Start with your long section of PVC and cut off two 1" long pieces so you'll have your long piece and two short ones - clean and de-burr the ends of the PVC with a file or knife of some sort.
2 - If you plan on hanging your feeder drill a 5/16" (or whatever size you want) hole about in inch down from the top of your long section of PVC. Once your feeder is fully assembled and glued together you can hang it on a screw using this hole. (Skip this step if you've going to mount it in some other way.)
3 - Take your 3" compression-style test plug and insert it into the bottom of the double-wye - once it's in all the way you'll tighten the wing-nut until the black rubber expands and seals the bottom. This method reduces the "depth" of the feed at the bottom of the feeder and ensures you don't get stale feed sitting where the chickens can't reach it.
It should be this deep: (about as far as it will go.)
4 - Insert the long section of PVC into the "top" of the wye and place the 1" sections of PVC that you cut in step one in the "sides" of the wye:
5 - Next put the press-in test plugs in the sides of the wye (these are helpful to prevent spillage when you're filling it from empty and prevent critter/water entry into the feed as needed)
6 - Finally, here is the completed unit ready to be mounted - the press-in plug on top keeps water and bugs out of the feed - it can be removed easily by hand when it's filling time. There is no need to un-mount the feeder to fill it.
7 - Use a sturdy and well-anchored wood screw at the correct height for your flock and hang the feeder from the screw as shown:
8 - It should hold together just fine without being glued (although you might get some water intrusion at the seams) - but you should definitely use PVC primer and glue to attach the long section of PVC to the wye once you have the sizing figured out for your situation - if exposed to the elements, water will drip down the vertical section of PVC and into the seam at the top of the wye. Gluing the 1" sections of PVC isn't critical, but for maximum waterproofing, just do it.
Benefits of this design:
1 - Double-Wye makes it easy for multiple birds to feed at the same time.
2 - Only one feeder to fill for multiple feeding positions
3 - The use of the compression style test plug on the bottom and the press-in style plug on top makes filling and any necessary cleaning easy and tool-free.
4 - Virtually no waste (I spill more filling it than the flock does eating from it.)
5 - Feed is protected from rain - only heavy, driven rain from the right direction is a serious issue.
Required Materials:
Section of 3" Schedule 40 PVC (Length determines capacity - I kept mine short on this one for the pictures)
3" PVC Double-Wye (Regular Single wye optional) (one)
3" Compression-type test plug (one)
3" press-in test plugs (three)
PVC primer and glue (can of each)
Tools:
PVC Cutter (wire style, miter saw, hand saw etc.)
Drill with bit (optional)
File (for cleaning PVC cuts)
1 - Start with your long section of PVC and cut off two 1" long pieces so you'll have your long piece and two short ones - clean and de-burr the ends of the PVC with a file or knife of some sort.
2 - If you plan on hanging your feeder drill a 5/16" (or whatever size you want) hole about in inch down from the top of your long section of PVC. Once your feeder is fully assembled and glued together you can hang it on a screw using this hole. (Skip this step if you've going to mount it in some other way.)
3 - Take your 3" compression-style test plug and insert it into the bottom of the double-wye - once it's in all the way you'll tighten the wing-nut until the black rubber expands and seals the bottom. This method reduces the "depth" of the feed at the bottom of the feeder and ensures you don't get stale feed sitting where the chickens can't reach it.
It should be this deep: (about as far as it will go.)
4 - Insert the long section of PVC into the "top" of the wye and place the 1" sections of PVC that you cut in step one in the "sides" of the wye:
5 - Next put the press-in test plugs in the sides of the wye (these are helpful to prevent spillage when you're filling it from empty and prevent critter/water entry into the feed as needed)
6 - Finally, here is the completed unit ready to be mounted - the press-in plug on top keeps water and bugs out of the feed - it can be removed easily by hand when it's filling time. There is no need to un-mount the feeder to fill it.
7 - Use a sturdy and well-anchored wood screw at the correct height for your flock and hang the feeder from the screw as shown:
8 - It should hold together just fine without being glued (although you might get some water intrusion at the seams) - but you should definitely use PVC primer and glue to attach the long section of PVC to the wye once you have the sizing figured out for your situation - if exposed to the elements, water will drip down the vertical section of PVC and into the seam at the top of the wye. Gluing the 1" sections of PVC isn't critical, but for maximum waterproofing, just do it.
