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

[coop410silkies]

Hi, Jglauser, I've had the same problem with some of my elbows. What I've done is use the little metal right angle brackets, also the Simpson right angle supports. I attach these under the pvc elbow to the outside of the bucket with small sheet metal screws, one leg to the bucket, and the other to the elbow. It works OK, but I Still have to caulk.

 

[Jglauser]

Thank you for the response and idea, coop410silkies.

 

[aart]

I've made one of these bucket feeders for my four hens. I used pvc cement to have it stay in place. However, that didn't hold very strong. So, the elbow keeps adjusting lower and makes it so the feed doesn't automatically fall down. I have to go adjust it every day or so so the birds can actually get the feed. Does anyone have any other solutions on how to "glue" the elbow in the correct position without it budging?

Thanks in advance. I love these forums.

Or glue a small piece of PVC to the bottom of fitting inside bucket to keep it from going down farther and maintain the gap you need.
I hope that makes sense.
PVC cement will only effectively stick to PVC.

 

[MeepBeep]

I've made one of these bucket feeders for my four hens. I used pvc cement to have it stay in place. However, that didn't hold very strong. So, the elbow keeps adjusting lower and makes it so the feed doesn't automatically fall down. I have to go adjust it every day or so so the birds can actually get the feed. Does anyone have any other solutions on how to "glue" the elbow in the correct position without it budging?

You can't glue PVC to HDPE, even common glues like silicone will fail... There are some high tech industrial processes that can get a decent bond between the two non-similar plastics but they are beyond most DIY and still not idea...

My suggestion would be to cut a few (3) PVC 'legs' and glue them to the bottom of the elbow to hold it up... You can cut the legs from some small diameter PVC pipe, and using the PVC glue glue it to the side of the elbow creating a leg... Of course you could also get even fancier if you want...

If I had an extra elbow laying around I would post up a few pictures, but I don't at this time...

 

[Bobh3615]

Thanks to all who contributed to this post for a great idea.Here is the feeder I made with 3 inch 90 degree street. I raised it 2 inches from the bottom to increase flow of the feed. Will that extra height cause a problem for the girls, in terms of getting their heads stuck?
I am a total newbie,these are my 3 girls, have had them 3 weeks now. 2 Rhode Island Reds,1 black sex link a tractor and my boys built.

 

[henless]

@Bobh3615 I would watch and see if they start pulling out feed and wasting it. I put mine 3/4" to 1" off the bottom and get very little pull out. You can always add a 2" pvc extension to the opening and see if that stops any spillage.

I've been using the 5 gallon bucket feeders and love them. I made a new feeder a few weeks ago and really love it. I put 4 street elbows in a tote. It holds 50lbs of feed with room to spare. Even though it is bigger than the bucket, it doesn't take up much more room than the bucket did.



I made mine so that I can put it up against the wall. You could very well put in 2 more ports & have access to all sides if needed.



I'm glad I used a clear one. Makes it easy to keep an eye on the feed level.

 

[FuzzFaceFarm]

@Bobh3615 I would watch and see if they start pulling out feed and wasting it. I put mine 3/4" to 1" off the bottom and get very little pull out. You can always add a 2" pvc extension to the opening and see if that stops any spillage.

I've been using the 5 gallon bucket feeders and love them. I made a new feeder a few weeks ago and really love it. I put 4 street elbows in a tote. It holds 50lbs of feed with room to spare. Even though it is bigger than the bucket, it doesn't take up much more room than the bucket did.



I made mine so that I can put it up against the wall. You could very well put in 2 more ports & have access to all sides if needed.



I'm glad I used a clear one. Makes it easy to keep an eye on the feed level.

I love this!!! I have made a 5 gallon bucket feeder but love the idea of having the tote so you can push it up against a wall on one side and even more so because you can see through it for easily keeping track of how much feed is still in it. GREAT IDEA and thanks for the pics!!!

 

[henless]

I love this!!! I have made a 5 gallon bucket feeder but love the idea of having the tote so you can push it up against a wall on one side and even more so because you can see through it for easily keeping track of how much feed is still in it. GREAT IDEA and thanks for the pics!!!

I love mine. Surprisingly, the chickens rarely get on top of it. They are always sitting on my bucket feeders & waterers. One funny thing, when I first put it out, the chickens would try and peck at the feed through the walls. They didn't understand why they could see it but not eat it! LOL

 

[KenStorm989]

Totally Doing this....Thanks Folks!

 

[Bobh3615]

My biggest question now is will they eat out of this? I put treats in the two ports to give them the idea they will stick their heads in and pick up the treats, but have not seen them eat out of it. Granted, I'm not here all day but I've yet to see them stick their heads in there to eat. My question is will they eventually eat if I don't do them any other food scraps or treatsoe would they starve themselves rather than eat out something that they are not used to?