Make your own - No waste - 5 gallon (25# feed) bucket feeder for about $3

[Alaskan]

I also got one of those nipple water systems that you screw into the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket I think there is four nipples and they love it plus it leaks a little water from time to time which creates a nice wet moist spot and they love playing in it

I am glad that you are having fun with your chickens. Chickens are great.

I wonder if the little damp spot brings the worms to the surface?

 

[MeepBeep]

I promise some pictures of my feeder awhile back, well here it is...

This tub will hold a full 100 lbs of feed, and has 8 feeding ports, with the cinder block 'step' on the two short sides, so that the bantams and young birds can get up higher it works for all the chickens and guineas... My peafowl refuse to use it so they get a traditional feeder up high, not that bad since the peas don't throw food around like the others and being up high the others don't use that feeder too often...

I used the drainage street 90s (from post 3) I cut off of the flange (as in post 3) and drilled the holes with a hole saw, the bottom of the elbow is about 3/4" off the bottom of bin... The drilled holes were about 1/8" too small so I went around with a heat gun and warmed the edge of the holes on the tub and then pressed the elbows in, once cooled they are held firmly, so no other securing method was needed...

 

[vehve]

That heat gun trick is pretty good, I'll have to remember that one. I think it might actually be better to saw the hole a bit small and then do it with the heat gun for a good fit. Mine works well too though, you can remove the pipe/vent I used for cleaning, but since it is pushed in from the inside, the feed will hold it in place.

 

[hennible]

I promise some pictures of my feeder awhile back, well here it is...

This tub will hold a full 100 lbs of feed, and has 8 feeding ports, with the cinder block 'step' on the two short sides, so that the bantams and young birds can get up higher it works for all the chickens and guineas... My peafowl refuse to use it so they get a traditional feeder up high, not that bad since the peas don't throw food around like the others and being up high the others don't use that feeder too often...

I used the drainage street 90s (from post 3) I cut off of the flange (as in post 3) and drilled the holes with a hole saw, the bottom of the elbow is about 3/4" off the bottom of bin... The drilled holes were about 1/8" too small so I went around with a heat gun and warmed the edge of the holes on the tub and then pressed the elbows in, once cooled they are held firmly, so no other securing method was needed...

I love this one!
As a back up if I can't keep the fermented feed feeder from freezing I'm building that one.

 

[jmp-pdx]

I made the 5 gallon bucket feeder but my girls are sending the food flying... help?! What did I do wrong?? (See pic, food on ground)

 

[tntchix]

I promise some pictures of my feeder awhile back, well here it is...

This tub will hold a full 100 lbs of feed, and has 8 feeding ports, with the cinder block 'step' on the two short sides, so that the bantams and young birds can get up higher it works for all the chickens and guineas... My peafowl refuse to use it so they get a traditional feeder up high, not that bad since the peas don't throw food around like the others and being up high the others don't use that feeder too often...

I used the drainage street 90s (from post 3) I cut off of the flange (as in post 3) and drilled the holes with a hole saw, the bottom of the elbow is about 3/4" off the bottom of bin... The drilled holes were about 1/8" too small so I went around with a heat gun and warmed the edge of the holes on the tub and then pressed the elbows in, once cooled they are held firmly, so no other securing method was needed...

I thought about something like this but wasn't sure about how well it would work. Obviously, it is perfect for a large flock. Come spring this is next feeder. That way I only need one feeder and not a bunch of buckets taking up valuable space in coop.

I love the heat gun trick too.

 

[MeepBeep]

I made the 5 gallon bucket feeder but my girls are sending the food flying... help?! What did I do wrong?? (See pic, food on ground)

Did you cut down the elbow on the inside? From the pictures it appears so, you might have cut too much off and thus the feed is too high and the birds don't have to stick their head far enough in... This is just a guess without more pictures...

To remedy this put a small section of pipe or a coupling on the outside of the elbow and extend it out a bit, maybe an inch or to the longer reach will prevent the spillage...

Alaskan had a similar issue with spillage see post 380 https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...d-bucket-feeder-for-about-3/370#post_14231585

 

[jmp-pdx]

I did cut it down, I used a .75" spacer when installing the elbow, so there really isn't much feed/isn't too high. argh! Thanks for the info!

 

[Alaskan]

I really like this feeder, that @MeepBeep did:



but I worry that if you set it up outside, that rain would get into the ports. I do think that the shape of this feeder would maybe be better to counter any bullying around the feeder. Eating on one side is more hidden from the opposite side than with a round trashcan. I think that my trashcan holds more feed, and probably feeds into the ports at a lower feed level, than yours.

Mine is not as pretty, but the slant of the garbage can, as well as the slight overhang of the lid, looks like it is keeping the feed dry.






Anyway, I am trying to think through the pros and cons of both feeders, since I need to make two more of them.......

 

[hennible]

My feeders are indoors, and I have the Rubbermaid bins, hence the appeal for me. You could build a little roof... Or cut down plastic containers to make "dormers" for the feed ports....
I do love the garbage can though Alaskan.