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

[ShrekDawg]

Thank you for clarifying that!! Good to know it will work! And I also forgot it was different sizing too, that makes more sense! And I see you have the bin idea too. I like that idea but my dad did not, he seemed to think if some gets contaminated then it ALL gets contaminated. Have you had issues with that? Although I'm not sure it's even necessary? Do you think one or two 5 gallon buckets with one elbow each will be sufficient for 8 birds?

 

[ChickityChina]

So I have been looking at PVC feeders for a while now to prevent most of the waste from tossed food. I REALLY like this bucket/pipe hybrid feeder (the one like from the original poster)! =D One question though... and I apologize if this has already been asked and answered, but with 90+ pages on this thread I just couldn't find it... Does anyone have problems with thieves (rats, mice, birds, etc.) getting into the pipe holes? And how does one counter this problem without capping the holes every night?

 

[ShrekDawg]

So I have been looking at PVC feeders for a while now to prevent most of the waste from tossed food. I REALLY like this bucket/pipe hybrid feeder (the one like from the original poster)! =D One question though... and I apologize if this has already been asked and answered, but with 90+ pages on this thread I just couldn't find it... Does anyone have problems with thieves (rats, mice, birds, etc.) getting into the pipe holes? And how does one counter this problem without capping the holes every night?

From what I understand, most people don't have a problem with it! I'm sure some probably do though. Also, not sure about rodents but I know that people that had previously had bird problems no longer do usually. I think it's because it's a lot harder for them to get to and birds tend to find things by sight so they may not even know its there and if they do then they have to climb in which isn't safe so usually i think they avoid it. I imagine it's the same for rodents but not sure

 

[COChix]

So I have been looking at PVC feeders for a while now to prevent most of the waste from tossed food. I REALLY like this bucket/pipe hybrid feeder (the one like from the original poster)! =D One question though... and I apologize if this has already been asked and answered, but with 90+ pages on this thread I just couldn't find it... Does anyone have problems with thieves (rats, mice, birds, etc.) getting into the pipe holes? And how does one counter this problem without capping the holes every night?

Hi, we live in a rural setting across from an open space, which is home to lots of mice. I specifically switched to these feeders because I was tired of feeding the mice. That being said, we still had an issue of the mice getting into the feeders through the open PVC holes. So we bought the caps for them. So I cap them at night to keep the critters away. Caps can easily be made, don't have to necessarily buy a cap.

 

[ChickityChina]

Hi, we live in a rural setting across from an open space, which is home to lots of mice. I specifically switched to these feeders because I was tired of feeding the mice. That being said, we still had an issue of the mice getting into the feeders through the open PVC holes. So we bought the caps for them. So I cap them at night to keep the critters away. Caps can easily be made, don't have to necessarily buy a cap.

I was afraid of that haha. Yeah those mice are a pain. I too live in a very rural area and they just seem to get into everything and there is no mice-proofing to be done. Well thanks for the insight. I may have to resign myself to capping off at night then =D

 

[aart]

Quote: I too live rural.....and the way I deal with it is too keep traps set all the time.

 

[ChickityChina]

Caps and traps. Roger. Wilco. Thanks for the advice!

 

[COChix]

I too live rural.....and the way I deal with it is too keep traps set all the time.

good point, guess that part slipped my mind. Yes we have traps for the mice and coons as well always set.

 

[DogCatChickMom]

I'll be getting babies next week so I will be making one of these in a few months!! Can't wait! I've been reading up and this seems like the best way to go!

 

[shari63]

Where did you get the little float valve for the waterier?