Still making a mess with port feeders

[Almosta Farm]

Yes please do elaborate. I used a jig saw or some such the first time I did this and it was a royal pain. You need a proper drill bit but the first one I got gummed up. Frustrated! Help a gal out!

I use a 3" hole saw for 3" pvc fittings. If it doesn't fit snuggly enough to stay in place, put a couple of wraps of duct tape (I used red) on the outside edge of the fitting and push it into place.

 

[debid]

How long has it been in place?

Mine flung the food when the port feeder was new but stopped after the newness wore off. Maybe they were thinking that a new type of food would be in a new type of feeder and they were digging looking for it? IDK. But they did stop and subsequent uses of the vacation bucket haven't inspired the fling fest.

 

[debid]

Oh, and I installed the ports on a 5g bucket, discovered quickly that there was a dead zone in the center where the chickens won't reach in to grab food. I added a plastic snow cone cup that was the right size/shape to the middle and sacrificed a little capacity to direct the feed outward. No more dead zone, they can empty it now if I leave the feeder long enough.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

How long has it been in place?

Mine flung the food when the port feeder was new but stopped after the newness wore off. Maybe they were thinking that a new type of food would be in a new type of feeder and they were digging looking for it? IDK. But they did stop and subsequent uses of the vacation bucket haven't inspired the fling fest.

Several months. Fling fest... They're still into the fling fest!

 

[neo71665]

i started out with 3 inch PVC ports but my rooster wasn't wanting to use it. I made a 2nd bucket with 4 inch and he uses it no issue. Only problem is going up to a 4 inch street elbow was almost double the 3 inch.
Being an electrician I already had the hole saws but they are the way to go when making port feeders. If you know a carpenter, electrician, or a plumber I suggest hitting them up to borrow a hole saw. Larger sizes are costly.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

When making one of these, be sure the bottom of the elbow on the inside is at least ½" to an inch above the bottom of the bucket, not resting on the bottom. Otherwise feed won't be able to get under the port where the chickens can get to it.

 

[debid]

I got my ports as a kit from Amazon. The kit came with a hole saw that was the correct size. Super easy to do and a quick project. Mine was a Vine offer but I think it was about $16 for a 6 port kit (more than necessary, 4 is plenty for a 5g bucket)