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

[seminolewind]

@seminolewind does that bucket say Homer? cool.

Did you set it up with only one hole/pipe opening?

LOL. I had the best intentions. Yes my geese use it. I had a 4 inch pipe and a 3 inch hole cutter and used a small saw to enlarge it. Then I realized it was too low. So I cut more hole on top and held the pipe at the angle I wanted and coated everything with adhesive.

 

[LindaB220]

LOL. I had the best intentions. Yes my geese use it. I had a 4 inch pipe and a 3 inch hole cutter and used a small saw to enlarge it. Then I realized it was too low. So I cut more hole on top and held the pipe at the angle I wanted and coated everything with adhesive.

And it works fine, doesn't it? Good for you. Nice to see that everybody isn't a pro. Makes me want to try it by myself. Kudos.

 

[Bs Peeps]

Do any of you have trouble with critters getting in at night and eating the feed? Do you cap the opening shut?

 

[seminolewind]

I made a cap. They do sell caps for some of the pvc pipes. But mine was the same size as the pipe.

 

[Alaskan]

Do any of you have trouble with critters getting in at night and eating the feed? Do you cap the opening shut?

I have lots of rodents..... I haven't seen any jump into the feeder...it probably helps that I have it in the very middle of the run.

However, you can buy caps that fit the tubes, and put them on at night.

 

[Bs Peeps]

I have lots of rodents..... I haven't seen any jump into the feeder...it probably helps that I have it in the very middle of the run.

However, you can buy caps that fit the tubes, and put them on at night.

Oh, if I end up with a rodent problem, then I'm going to have a chicken problem.

 

[seminolewind]

If you have a rodent problem check for droppings in the food. That's what I look for. And in the coop, when I cleaned it, I used to check for droppings around the wall. Now Everyone's food is on a cement flat patio block, and gets a Home Depot bucket over it. No feed available at night. Just bait stations. Sometimes the bait disappears quickly, then it slows down to not being eaten. It's like a cycle. But locking all the food up at night and removing any spillage is the only way to reduce the population. And bait stations give them something to eat.

 

[tntchix]

Anyone manage to get this to work with both bantams and large fowl?

Maybe easier to set up two separate stations?

I put a brick paver in front of the opening for my bantams and the bigger chickens don't even notice it's there. Same for nipple waterers.

 

[MeepBeep]

Just bait stations.  Sometimes the bait disappears quickly, then it slows down to not being eaten.  It's like a cycle.  

Word of caution on 'poison' bait stations, you really have no idea where the rodents are hording and/or storing that bait before it takes it's toll, nor do you have any guarantees the 'mouse' isn't going to drop over in the coop where the chickens will eat him the next day... In both instances you pose a risk of poisoning your chickens...

 

[tntchix]

I have 2 of these. I love them. I can get almost a whole 50lb bag in 2 feeders. I keep excess feed in 3rd bucket without holes and tight lid. I have not had any spillage or spoilage. For 28 chickens, I fill them 2x a week.

My only complaint and it's mostly my fault is they can roost on top of them and mine do. 2 specific hens sleep there.