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

[jimmywalt]

just made mine....works great thanks.

Your welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure you will love it and never use anything else.

I just don't understand why they don't sell these pre-made in the stores. People like things "instantly" and I'm sure would pay $15 to $20 for one of these.

 

[CrunchyNana]

I use what I guess is called crumbles, it's not pellets. Will this not work? The hens always have some finer stuff left over that I have to mix with something else and refeed, which is fine but...

 

[jimmywalt]

I use what I guess is called crumbles, it's not pellets. Will this not work? The hens always have some finer stuff left over that I have to mix with something else and refeed, which is fine but...

It should work in the bucket feeder, but like you said there is always fine stuff left. I switched to pellets after using the crumbles for only 1 bag. I'd never go back to crumbles.

 

[CrunchyNana]

Cant find organic no soy non gmo in pellets.

 

[LaurelC]

Do they sell cracked grain in your area? That may be a viable option.

 

[JaceAgain]

How could I do this with chickens of different heights? If I keep one at the bottom and raise a second one would that work ok as long as I keep it filled?

 

[jimmywalt]

How could I do this with chickens of different heights? If I keep one at the bottom and raise a second one would that work ok as long as I keep it filled?

Look at my pictures, I have it a "medium" height and my Bantam and full size chickens eat just fine.

 

[jimmywalt]

The instructions given by Solway for their DIS feeders will show you how to safely do it. Here is the link just look at the 10 or 12 pictures they posted.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321318797857?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

In their pics you need a drill, and jig saw.........

You'd be SOOO much farther ahead to spend $6.75 on this hole saw set from Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-carbon-steel-hole-saw-set-68114.html

It's $8.99 but with the 25% off coupon I've attached you will only spend $6.75 and will have a PERFECT ROUND hole.

 

[bhwk40]

this is great and i plan on making one. I dont understand why a cut needs to be made on the elbow part if using the 90degree elbow without a flange on one side, will the feed not push out without shortening the end that goes in bucket?

 

[jimmywalt]

this is great and i plan on making one. I dont understand why a cut needs to be made on the elbow part if using the 90degree elbow without a flange on one side, will the feed not push out without shortening the end that goes in bucket?

The cut is so that the chickens can reach the food. If you look at the elbow you will see that it's too far to get their necks all the way in without making the cut. You want to make it easy for them so that they will use it. Also the "cut" is just below the round hole in the bucket - keeping the food INSIDE the bucket.

Good luck and post some pictures and let us know how it worked out.