weather resistant feeder ideas?

[arlee453]

Any advice for a good weather-resistant feeder?

I have a smallish coop and don't want to take up valuable roosting/nesting space by feeding in the coop. I'd rather have the feed/water outside.

I have 8 hens, so I don't need the 500 pound range feeders I've found online. I also don't want the $100+ price tag!

Other than the obvious (build a shelter for the feeder) any good weather proof feeders that will keep the feed dry, avoid vermin raids and doesn't cost a fortune?

I'm sort of handy with a saw and hammer, but would rather not have to build something if I can avoid it.

Susan

 

[BeckyLa]

For a small coop I just take a piece of pvc pipe, about 4-6" in diameter, cut it a couple of feet high, depending on the size of the coop and how many birds to feed and fasten it into a corner easy to get to to refill. Then put a pan under it to catch the feed. The pipe should be just high enough above the pan to let the feed free flow. The diameter and length of the pvc can also be adjusted to fit your needs. But I always keep the feed in the coop, because of the moisture here, and the water outside, to protect the bedding.

 

[MandyH]

Becky,
that's how me and dh make deer feeders. We use like 6 or 8 inch pvc and cut them about 5 feet long and they will hold lots of deer chow. Then just strap them on a tree. Never thought about using it for chickens though. DUH!

 

[BeckyLa]

Hehe. That's what gave me the idea, we bought a place that had a deer feeder.

Works like a charm.

 

[arlee453]

Update on my weatherproof chicken feeder dilema....

I found this feeder at walmart in the bird feeder section. It's called "Super Stop-A-Squirrel" from the manufacturer HomeStead. It was about $29, about $10 more than the standard hanging feeders I saw at the Tractor Supply, but I THINK it is going to work.

The feeder is painted steel, and says it holds 11 pounds of bird seed, so should be enough so I don't have to fill it more than 1x per day (I only have 8 chickens).

The feeder came with a little perch like door that came down and covered the holes where the food comes out if something heavy landed on it - the squirrel proof part. The whole part where the feed goes lifts out from under the roof so you can fill and then re-insert it under the roof.

I removed the plastic pins holding the squirrel proof part and removed it completely. I also used a chain to hang it from the coop so I can raise it up as the chicks get bigger so that it is 'back' level for them. The best part so far, is that it did rain hard today with a lot of wind, and the area where the feed would come out is completely dry!!

I'm hoping the results will be as good when the chickens get bigger in a couple weeks and actually get to move out.

Thought I'd pass the idea along if anyone else is looking for an outdoor feeder - I want to feed them out doors to minimize the mess and maximize the space in the ChickNBarn.

 

[Dawn419]

Great idea, arlee!!!

Dawn

 

[dlhunicorn]

Quote:
the main comment I have to make (I also have one similar to this... >>>see those grains which have fallen out onto the ground...they will spoil and your birds can get very ill eating spoiled grains... do you have a paver or such to catch those grains so you can clean up any spilled grains (in high humidity or wet weather spoilage can occur within 24 hours)

 

[arlee453]

Thanks for the tip, Unicorn. There isn't any feed on the ground (yet) because I haven't put any feed in it yet. My babies are still in the brooder for now.

I think I will make a little pit for spillage and cover with a piece of hardware cloth to keep the chickens out of it.

That way it will catch any spillage and keep the chickens from getting to any spoiled feed.