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

[Alaskan]

Quote:
frozen water isn't that bad, as long as it stays drinkable for at least 2 hours (doesn't freeze solid too fast).

However, water in the coop will greatly increase the humidity in the coop and increase your risk of frostbite.

 

[heartland]

frozen water isn't that bad, as long as it stays drinkable for at least 2 hours (doesn't freeze solid too fast).

However, water in the coop will greatly increase the humidity in the coop and increase your risk of frostbite.

Thanks for the tip!

Yeah, that is why I moved it out of the coop over the summer. Right now I have been just making sure that when its cold enough to freeze I get fresh warm water so at least during the day they can drink.

I did put a bulb in a block, under a slate tile to keep the main bucket from freezing. But if there is water in the cup and it freezes, they can't move the dangle thingy to let more water flow. So this year I will keep putting out new water as it freezes. Next year I will have something better in place to keep it unfrozen.

 

[Alaskan]

I use just a plain black rubber pan to hold the water.

They are flexible so you can kick them free of the ground when they weld themselves to the ground, and then flip them upside down and jump on the bottom until the ice block pops out.

You then flip it upright, and fill it up, and it works great....doesn't break.

 

[heartland]

Did you get around to trying this? I'm in the process of making one for one of my nesting boxes as well.

(Click picture to enlarge). You can see how I cut notches in the pipe to allow for easier flow of the pellets. I also turn it a little sideways and that helps. The waterer needs a hole in the top so that the suction doesn't stop the water flow. All in all, this is the easiest setup. I have two feeders and 7 hens. Right now I am filling them once every other week. I let them free range in the yard as much as possible. But in the winter its hard for them to forage much because the ground is frozen.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

I'm planning on making one this weekend for my chickens and was wondering - does anyone use these for ducks? Specifically Magpie ducks and call ducks.

I read through the thread and I didn't see anyone, but I may have missed it.

 

[hennible]

I use them for ducks, works great.

 

[COChix]

Got my bucket feeders built, they need some feed and can't pick that up until tomorrow, as I need crumble now. Here are some shots of my two buckets..

Thanks for everyone who has contributed to this thread and kept it going. I am going through wrist surgery on Tuesday and am hoping these feeders will help with waste and the fact that I won't have to or be able to feed daily.

Also have HN with K & H - 250w bucket heater waters and those have been popular and the gang adjust to the nipples within minutes. We went to this system after our roo's got frostbite on their wattles after drinking from heated water bowls in sub zero temps.

 

[tntchix]

Looks like you got it under control. Great work.

 

[COChix]

Looks like you got it under control. Great work.

Thanks amazing what you can get done with the right tools for the job. A hole saw made quick work of th bucket feeders.

 

[tntchix]

Yeah I need to finish my tote one. My ds won't go find me the hole saw I need. I think he lost it. grrr