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

[pfields]

We left 2 inches from the PVC to the bottom of the feeder. When you fill with feed it comes up to the PVC. We're having trouble with rats getting into the new feeder. For some reason they don't touch the first one we built but get into the new feeder on the right in the picture. I ordered some PVC caps to cover them at night. Until they come in I'm going to layer the bottom with sticky traps tonight. Putting on and taking off caps everyday doesn't make me happy.

 

[adkhunter1590]

I don't have very much room from the pvc to the bottom of the bucket. Maybe 1/2 inch. I miscalculated a bit in that when I made it. It was kind of a spur of the moment build. I was sorta just standing there watching them eat out the other feeder I had kicking food all over which irritates me lol. So I walked into my workshop and saw a bucket and a 3 inch street elbow, remembered seeing this feeder idea and went to town on it real fast. I plan on making a new one in the near future that will be about a inch off the bottom even though they still haven't had any issues getting food to fall down into pecking reach

 

[pfields]

Looks like your bucket is too low to the ground. The chicken is squatting low to get in there. We had less food spilled when we raised it up on the cinder blocks. Now, if we can just figure out a way to get rid of the rats.

 

[bcfpilot]

Just made one for my girls. They figured it out quick since I put some treats right at the opening of the hole. I think I may raise it a bit more though as they grow.

 

[matlock585]

I just made one of these and it works perfectly. I even got the guy at the hardware store to cut the fat end off the elbow for me. All I had to do was clean the cut pieces up and cut the hole in the bucket.
Thanks so much for sharing. I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[henless]

I made a mini feeder for my English BBS babies. They are 4 weeks old.

This is the first one I made. I used a 2" elbow. It was a bit big, so made a new one using a 1 1/2" elbow. It works better for now. I will use the bigger one as they get older. I used a 2 gallon bucket.



I also made a waterer for them. They are able to use it at 4 weeks.

 

[tntchix]

I made a mini feeder for my English BBS babies. They are 4 weeks old.

This is the first one I made. I used a 2" elbow. It was a bit big, so made a new one using a 1 1/2" elbow. It works better for now. I will use the bigger one as they get older. I used a 2 gallon bucket.



I also made a waterer for them. They are able to use it at 4 weeks.

A mini is a great idea. I have had no problems with my older bantams but my new D'Uccles just hide in the big one. They are such "chickens"!

 

[Finnie]

I made a new bucket feeder today with a 4" pvc elbow instead of the 3" ones. Even though I have seen all the hens eat from the 3" one, when they stand near it, it just looks like the ones with larger combs are too big for the ports. I thought the larger size would be nicer for them, but it means I could only fit one elbow in the bucket. I'm not sure I like a single feeder station. But I also don't think I want to upsize to something giant enough to fit multiple 4" ports. I guess I'll just watch to see if the large-combed hens prefer this one.



The mini bucket for the 4 week old chicks is a good idea. I've been using a Folger's coffee container with holes cut in it, but once they get to a certain size, they just knock it over. It's too light weight.

 

[AnthonyFlock]

Thanks for the plans!

 

[pasuit]

Excellent idea. I'll make 2 or 3 tomorrow. I have several hens and chicks and more eggs hatching. Thanks.