PVC feeder not feeding

[JennsPeeps]

I agree with the "not enough gravity" conclusions. The feed in the 45-degree tube doesn't weigh enough to force the feed very far down the horizontal tube. Try lengthening the holding tube and sharpening the angle, as well as shortening the feeding tube. With just a few hens, you don' tneed such a large access area anyway.

 

[MikroBrew]

wow becky, I love the simplicity of that feeder, got any details on how it is constructed, kinda curious on how the feed stretches out to through the base of the tee..how does it get to the left and right side ends ?
sorry Nathan didn't mean to hijack

 

[riderbecky]

Quote:
Thanks but I can't take credit. I got the design from an old posting on this site.

Its made from 4" PVC. None of the joints are glued (which concerned my DH at first) but it works better this way as I can give the feeding arms a little shake if the feed doesn't flow down the feeder chute properly and makes cleaning easier. The holes were cut with a 2" hole saw bit for a power drill.

To construct you'll need 4" PVC pipe at about 8 feet. Cut into 2 2' feeding arms and 1 4' feeder chute.
2 end pieces, 1 T-joint, 1 theaded joint with 1 threaded cap (for the top where you pour in the feed. Oh, and I used that stuff you use to screw ducting to floor joists to attach it to the wall.

See, eazy peazy, lemon sqeezy!

edited: Forgot to add that gravity and the chickens do a pretty good job of moving the feed down the feeder tubes. I usually only move the feed along manually whenever I need to fill the feed chute. I just push it down the tube using my fingers.

 

[1mommahen]

My DH made this one for our girls this weekend. Seems to be working pretty well so far!

 

[jeb251]

I don't have pics, I'll try to get some tomorrow, it is cheaper and works great, take a 2' or 3' piece of 4'' pvc pipe and a 6" pvc cap, put the cap on the bottom of the pie and raise it up so the feed can travel through the drill two small holes through the pipe and cap, put a small bolt in each hole, and hang it up, it feeds straight down, now 45 or 90s to go through, and very little waist, I have them in my coops and they work great

 

[ONSTAD1]

I don't have pics, I'll try to get some tomorrow, it is cheaper and works great, take a 2' or 3' piece of 4'' pvc pipe and a 6" pvc cap, put the cap on the bottom of the pie and raise it up so the feed can travel through the drill two small holes through the pipe and cap, put a small bolt in each hole, and hang it up, it feeds straight down, now 45 or 90s to go through, and very little waist, I have them in my coops and they work great

A pic would be awesome.

 

[Debs55]

Cool ideas! Just needed to post so id be able to find these pics again

 

[mat2dong]

I've built a PVC feeder into my chicken tractor. 

It is a 4 inch drain pipe with a 45 degree elbow. It has about a one foot 45 degree loader and four foot horizontal section with holes for access for the chicken's heads.   


Unfortunately, I scoop feed into the end and it collects there but doesn't seem to spread horizontally to where it can be reached by the chickens.


Those of you who have done a PVC feeder - can you suggest what the problem is?


The horizontal pipe is probably big with respect to the  45 degree section. However, since the feed doesn't even reach the first few holes, I'm not sure it would be fixed by shortening it. 


I used drain pipe which is corrugated and white outside and black inside. Is it not as slippery as regular PVC


Is my feed not slippery enough? I have Purina start and grow.


Any other ideas for a waste free feeder?


They wasted way too much in their brooder feeder and I'd like to put a stop to that.


Nathan

Hi Nathan

Just look at this photo it is clear to me why the food is not feeding into the trought. The "feed pipe" needs to be way taller and longer. If you flip the pipe around it should work great The "feed" part of the pipe has to be taller and higher for gravity to get that feed moving into the trought.

Check out my PVC feeder post for a video I did.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679382/3-drain-pipe-chicken-feeder-cheaper-then-pvc

Hope that helps! God Bless!!!

 

[gratch73a]

Lower the feeding end and all should be well.

 

[jpcode]