PVC pipe feeder question

[AASister]

Hi, all. After reading several posts about feeding, I decided to build a PVC pipe feeder. It is my first one. It is 5 feet tall and the feeder part is 2 feet long with five 2" holes. It has been up for several days in my sister's chicken area, where the chickens have access to my sister's feeders (a hanging feeder and a long trough-thing), so this isn't the only option for the birds to eat from. We also introduced pellets to them (the other feeders have crumble). My question is, then, how much feed should I see in the bottom of the PVC pipe at any one time? I look every morning, and the level of feed is very low, just covering the bottom. I know the chickens are eating from it, so in that respect, it is a success. But I do wonder if the feed is coming out like it is supposed to. I can "kick" the elbow part of the feeder and the trough part fills up, but when I look later, it's back down to barely covering the bottom. Is this right/normal for this type of feeder ? Did I build it wrong? Does it need to be fixed in any way? By the way, I "kicked" the elbow last night, so you can see the feed in the first hole, but typically, they have eaten it, and the level is way down in the bottom.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

It seems most people who use those have them angled somewhat for flow rather than a 90 degree elbow.

 

[jthornton]

If there is some feed all the way across it is fine. If the far end is empty all the time you might add another vertical pipe at that end. Watch them as they feed and see if they are flicking the feed to the side, if so then it is self filling.

JT

 

[RonP]

I have little to offer on your design.
These on the other hand, seem to work flawlessly.

 

[imnukensc]

The horizontal section of your feeder is too long. There is not enough force from the feed in the vertical section to push it anywhere near the end of the horizontal section. I'd cap it about the end of the 3rd hole and even that may be too long.

 

[lazy gardener]

FWIW, beware the very real risk of birds with large combs and wattles (specifically roosters, but I see you have leghorns as well) having issues with these feeders. Some posters have noted that their birds injure combs or wattles, and even refuse to eat out of these feeders b/c of the contact with combs/wattles. At least one poster has had a roo starve to death, or come very close to that when using a PVC feeder.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

FWIW, beware the very real risk of birds with large combs and wattles (specifically roosters, but I see you have leghorns as well) having issues with these feeders. Some posters have noted that their birds injure combs or wattles, and even refuse to eat out of these feeders b/c of the contact with combs/wattles. At least one poster has had a roo starve to death, or come very close to that when using a PVC feeder.

I've been researching these feeders and this is the first I've read about roosters having problems with them. Are there any modifications that would make a PVC feeder work for them?

ETA: Is it the sharp edges that causes the problem? Or is it more a matter of simple repetitive moving contact with the edges as they fit their heads down inside?

 

[jreardon1918]

When I first opened the coop (June). I did this PVC feeder. It was meant to be temporary. It feeds 7 pullets for three days. At some point I will extend the pipe. No waste. I think it would solve the comb getting caught issue.

 

[AASister]

jreardon1918, does the feed get knocked out of the feeder onto the ground? That's what I'm trying to prevent, since the chickens don't like to eat the food off the ground.

 

[jreardon1918]

jreardon1918, does the feed get knocked out of the feeder onto the ground? That's what I'm trying to prevent, since the chickens don't like to eat the food off the ground.

No mess. It is a 3" PVC tube. I saw a youtube Video of somebody building one. They used a 4" tube. All I had was 3". The bottom is notched to allow feed out. Two bolts hold it together. The bottom is a 6" end cap. I had to special order that from Home depot. The chickens have to dig down to eat. No mess. 5 of the pullets can dig in at one time. I use pellets.