Show me your automatic feeders!

[KikiDeAnime]

As the title states, show me your automatic feeders!
Also, tell me how often you fill it,

I'm planning out one for when we move so that I don't have to feed the birds as often. I just want to be able to go out and collect eggs while taking a peek at them before either heading to work or to bed. I understand that it might sound cruel to only check on them once a day but since I have a job, I can't spend all day out there with them anymore even if I wanted to.

 

[Alaskan]

I love my huge garbage can with the ports.

Easy fill, holds a bunch .

 

[K0k0shka]

I understand that it might sound cruel to only check on them once a day but since I have a job, I can't spend all day out there with them anymore even if I wanted to.

Please don't feel bullied by the righteous chicken police. Some people might make it sound like not snuggling your chickens all day, not cooking fancy meals for them or not letting them free range is equal to animal abuse. But that is purely somebody's opinion and not an actual truth. As much as we like to pretend they are pets, chickens aren't pets in the real practical sense of the word. They aren't dependent on people for socialization and mental health the way dogs, for example, are. They don't bond as strongly and painfully to people the way dogs do. If you had a dog (a real pet) out in the back yard and only checked on him once a day for 5 minutes, then yes, that would be cruel and he'd suffer. But the chickens will be totally fine. They may not be as friendly and tolerant of you as chickens you spend lots of time with, but they won't suffer from it at all. If they have their needs met, and have other chicken friends, they'll be just fine. Same with the other points people like to get arrogant on. You don't have to cook for them or make fruit salads for them, and you're not a bad chicken owner if you don't. Likewise you're not a bad chicken owner if you don't let them free range, provided that you give them enough space in a safe run to hang out in. They are not entitled to unlimited freedom, and a chicken run is not a jail. There are enough things you can read out there to make you feel like you aren't doing enough, when the reality is that you're probably just fine. A lot of us have jobs, kids, life, and can't sit around with the chickens all day. And that's okay. They'll be fine.

Now, about the feeders - I made one of these and it's working out great for me:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...unnel-bucket-feeder.67218/#ams-comment-464934

Before I made that one, I made one with PVC elbows as mentioned above, but the chickens were still raking food out and wasting a lot. This funnel feeder, on the other hand, is truly no-waste. Depending on how many chickens you have, if you fill it all the way up it can last for quite a while. I have a full time job and young children, and only go out to see my chickens once a day, too. Also, they don't free range. But they have a nice roomy run, and they are very happy chickens.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Please don't feel bullied by the righteous chicken police. Some people might make it sound like not snuggling your chickens all day, not cooking fancy meals for them or not letting them free range is equal to animal abuse. But that is purely somebody's opinion and not an actual truth. As much as we like to pretend they are pets, chickens aren't pets in the real practical sense of the word. They aren't dependent on people for socialization and mental health the way dogs, for example, are. They don't bond as strongly and painfully to people the way dogs do. If you had a dog (a real pet) out in the back yard and only checked on him once a day for 5 minutes, then yes, that would be cruel and he'd suffer. But the chickens will be totally fine. They may not be as friendly and tolerant of you as chickens you spend lots of time with, but they won't suffer from it at all. If they have their needs met, and have other chicken friends, they'll be just fine. Same with the other points people like to get arrogant on. You don't have to cook for them or make fruit salads for them, and you're not a bad chicken owner if you don't. Likewise you're not a bad chicken owner if you don't let them free range, provided that you give them enough space in a safe run to hang out in. They are not entitled to unlimited freedom, and a chicken run is not a jail. There are enough things you can read out there to make you feel like you aren't doing enough, when the reality is that you're probably just fine. A lot of us have jobs, kids, life, and can't sit around with the chickens all day. And that's okay. They'll be fine.

Now, about the feeders - I made one of these and it's working out great for me:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...unnel-bucket-feeder.67218/#ams-comment-464934

Before I made that one, I made one with PVC elbows as mentioned above, but the chickens were still raking food out and wasting a lot. This funnel feeder, on the other hand, is truly no-waste. Depending on how many chickens you have, if you fill it all the way up it can last for quite a while. I have a full time job and young children, and only go out to see my chickens once a day, too. Also, they don't free range. But they have a nice roomy run, and they are very happy chickens.

View attachment 2825421

View attachment 2825422

They used to free range while I was at work but one of them somehow got the rest to start laying eggs in my dad's shed so now they're locked up in their yard until they get it in their heads that my dad's shed isn't a huge nesting box.
And I want to point out that when they used to free range, there was always somebody at home.

 

[3KillerBs]

I am a fan of the traditional, metal hanging feeders.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/in-praise-of-the-traditional-hanging-feeder.1452899/

 

[WIchickMama]

I am a fan of the traditional, metal hanging feeders.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/in-praise-of-the-traditional-hanging-feeder.1452899/

I do the same thing but plastic

 

[Tclloyd0812]

I don't have an automatic feeder, but you can make a 55 gal drum into an automatic feeder that spins feed out on a timer each day (like a deer feeder). You can buy the kit to make one online or at a feed store usually, probably even Walmart. Or you can buy a already made deer feeder too that does the same job.

Or something like what is pictured (the one with the chickens in it) would work too.

 

[NNYchick]

My favorite feeder by far is this through my husband made out of pvc. Now they all can eat together and I don’t have to worry about one getting pushed away from the feeder, it stays clean, they aren’t kicking bedding into it or beaking out any on the ground. We did it adjustable so as bedding amount rises in the winter we can raise it.

 

[Tclloyd0812]

My favorite feeder by far is this through my husband made out of pvc. Now they all can eat together and I don’t have to worry about one getting pushed away from the feeder, it stays clean, they aren’t kicking bedding into it or beaking out any on the ground. We did it adjustable so as bedding amount rises in the winter we can raise it. View attachment 2825663

This is exactly what my husband made for my babies! We made 4 and they only like to use 2 or 3 of them lol. It helps with the mess so much!

 

[KikiDeAnime]

My favorite feeder by far is this through my husband made out of pvc. Now they all can eat together and I don’t have to worry about one getting pushed away from the feeder, it stays clean, they aren’t kicking bedding into it or beaking out any on the ground. We did it adjustable so as bedding amount rises in the winter we can raise it. View attachment 2825663

Off topic but what breed is that rooster?