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

[Alaskan]

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.

thanks...yep, it is nice to see different kinds of containers be used. I need to make one for my bantam coop, and I need a smaller one (smaller space) and I am trying to figure out what would work the best. But I need it to be outside, I like forcing the chickens to go outside...helps to cut down on the stir craziness that they might start to feel.

 

[hennible]

Clever... They sure hate the snow.

 

[tntchix]

Mine is indoors too but I love the garbage can idea for outside.

 

[MeepBeep]

I think that my trashcan holds more feed, and probably feeds into the ports at a lower feed level, than yours.

The garbage can probably holds more, but with the way I spaced out the elbows it pretty much feeds down to empty, the only place any feed gets stuck is in the four corners, and that is only a small amount, maybe a pound or two total the rest of the feeder goes bare bottom if I let to go that far... Next time I lapse and let it go empty I will snap a picture of the inside...

 

[mowgli457]

what kind of bucket ?? are there ports already there to screw nipples into ? I'm pretty new so I'm learning each day !!

 

[MeepBeep]

what kind of bucket ?? are there ports already there to screw nipples into ? I'm pretty new so I'm learning each day !! 

For water nipples, a common 5 gallon bucket works well (or heated dog bucket if you want a heated bucket)... For the nipples you drill a 3/8 (or 9mm) hole and screw them in... If you want to make it easier get a 10mmx1.00 bolt (or even better a 10mmx1.00 tap) and tap the holes before you screw the nipples in...

IMO it's simply not worth buying then already done, unless you are really not handy at all... The 5 gallon bucket and lid can be had for free (ask your local bakery for an empty one, even the Walmart bakery) and tell them to save the lid for you... If not you can get a bucket and lid for about $6 from any hardware store... The vertical nipples can be had on Ebay or from Amazon for dirt cheap, I paid $7 for 25 delivered,there is also a seller on Amazon selling a 10 pack with the bolt for tapping for under $4 delivered... So you are out about $5-10 if you DIY, vs the $20+ I have seen them for sale at animal shows and feed stores...

Horizontal nipples (available one Ebay) are a little more costly if you go that route... I'm currently switching over to horizontal as I have found the verticals drip/waste too much water... Since my watering system is in the coop and on a cement floor it only promotes a wet molding nasty area... I tried putting a tub of sand under the buckets and that helped contain the water but it quickly turned into a septic cesspool... If you water outdoors the dripping will not be nearly as much of a concern...

 

[mowgli457]

awesome ! yes I am pretty handy so it should be a big deal. I just wonder if I can pick up the nipples locally at a feed , grain store ? thanks for the info !

 

[Alaskan]

Quote:
Thanks for the input.

How do you think it would do outside in the rain? I have one of those totes sitting in my kitchen....wondering if I could use it...but there is clearly no good overhanging lip on the lid to act as a rain shelter.

I was wondering if the tunnel tube things give enough rain protection. dunno.

thoughts?

 

[MeepBeep]

I just wonder if I can pick up the nipples locally at a feed , grain store ?  thanks for the info !

Likely not worth your gas or effort over ordering online... My local feed store charges $3 for a 4 pack, and it would cost me $5 in gas to driver there... Just can't justify that when I can have them dropped at my front door for a lot less...

How do you think it would do outside in the rain? I have one of those totes sitting in my kitchen....wondering if I could use it...but there is clearly no good overhanging lip on the lid to act as a rain shelter.

I would not use it outside unless it was under a shelter, no way to stop the blowing rain (even mild) that would get inside the elbows... That and I doubt the plastic would hold up well outside for extended periods of time, especially in the winter with birds jumping on top, I doubt they are UV stabilized and I know they get brittle in the cold...

But, for indoor use I have zero complaints, I picked the tub up at Goodwill dirt cheap and it worked out well...

 

[vehve]

@Alaskan I'm going to advertise my construction once again, instead of the elbow, check out the ventilation parts in the hardware store next time you go there. I'm really getting almost zero waste with this thing. The last photo is built with a different bucket, but same idea. For rain protection, you could split a piece of 4" pipe and cut it about 3-4" long and attach it to the top of the opening. And you could add some sort of roof on top of the feeder.