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

[Rod-T]

i like that idea alot.  Does the lid lift off?  how much feed can you put in it?   holes on all four sides?

yes lid lifts off it holds about 25lbs of feed. You could make it taller or a little wider.to hold a whole bag.Holes on all 4 sides ya..no fighting. . So far it's working great.. I'm really surprised how much feed it saves.. the other feeder i had they must been spilling the powder..once that powder gets mixed with the dirty coop floor..its lost..sure they scratch in it but the proof i know its lost because im using alot less now..I'm feed ing grower since those chick that are using it..2 months old..so crumble.
I'm sure pellets will work too .
Thanks for the nice reply. ..

 

[Rod-T]

With the wood box style u don't think you can fill it to the top without it spilling out. Or can you? The nails is a very innovative idea but it does risk injury to the birds.

I filled to the top.... yeah I may rethink lid.. but chickens seem deterred from trying since they can't see a landing spot.. and it's stayed clean that way.. I thought about the pyramid idea as someone eles suggested. . But I figured I'd try this first.

 

[MeepBeep]

Nice design using the wood, but I don't think I'd do that nail thing, one of the birds could get seriously injured...maybe building a pyramid with your scrap wood for the top would be a safer idea?

I thought about that.. I'll keep a eye on it.. had it near the roost so far all they did was peck at the nails..so far it's kept them from trying for it since they can't seem to find a spot to fly too. I could try a pyramid top. . I'll be building a second one maybe I'll try that

My concern for injury would be when the chickens get spooked (especially at night) or if they are simply chasing each other around and not paying attention...

A lifelong farmer once told me if there is a potential in your animals environment for injury it's just a matter of time before they injure themselves... His comment to me was on the subject of nails backing out slightly on wood like fences or walls in a barn, he said over the years he has seen many an animal find that single loose nail and gash themselves open...

 

[Rod-T]

My concern for injury would be when the chickens get spooked (especially at night) or if they are simply chasing each other around and not paying attention...

A lifelong farmer once told me if there is a potential in your animals environment for injury it's just a matter of time before they injure themselves... His comment to me was on the subject of nails backing out slightly on wood like fences or walls in a barn, he said over the years he has seen many an animal find that single loose nail and gash themselves open...

Good point.. I may try the pyramid top when I make more of these. I'll make a extra lid for this one too

 

[Cluckies]

@lalaland Rod-T's Idea may be perfect for you and your rodent issue, you could put hinged wooden doors over the openings, then you could lock them open during the day, and lock them closed at night. I wonder if my husband would want to have a winter project...

 

[lalaland]

hmm, if he does you are so lucky!

I'm thinking on this one. I might try it.

Wonder if the inside is just straight? there must be a way that the feed isn't coming out that I am not understanding, but then, I am absolutely no good at anything spatial.

 

[Rod-T]

hmm, if he does you are so lucky!  

I'm thinking on this one.  I might try it.

Wonder if the inside is just straight?  there must be a way that the feed isn't coming out that I am not understanding, but then, I am absolutely no good at anything spatial.

Each opening has a roof over it ..s keeps the feed from falling down..
The side walls inside are 7/8 of a inch up.. so when you pour feed it fills along the walls inside..
The chickens can put there head in and feed from that 7/8 gap.inside

 

[Rod-T]

Works just like the bucket feeder. . Just wood and square

 

[daxigait]

Each opening has a roof over it ..s keeps the feed from falling down..
The side walls inside are 7/8 of a inch up.. so when you pour feed it fills along the walls inside..
The chickens can put there head in and feed from that 7/8 gap.inside

any pictures?

 

[Rod-T]

any pictures?

Not of inside.
The opening is 3 inch wide and 5 inches tall.. side walls inside are 7/8 off floor..then just put a roof over that opening..so the only feed the get is at bottom. I'll take pictures on the next one.. but really it's just a measuring type of thing.. the feeder is about 12 inch wide.. you could make it 14 wide. And taller. . So it would hold more feed..

It's probably not cheaper then the bucket if you don't have the scrap wood.. since I do it cost me nothing. . And being 5 inch tall opening probably better for roosters with big comb