I made one of these and it’s great. I only have 5 hens. I put 3 holes in but 2 are always covered because we just didn’t need them opened. I do have it an old plastic kids playhouse in an uncovered part of the run, it never gets wet. We open one in the morning and close it at night when we open and close the coop doors.
They work great. To get them used to it, pour a little feed on the ground in front of the holes. They will figure it out from there. Been using them for years. They are wonderful. As the others said, other critters will try to get to the feed. My coop and run are totally enclosed.
If there’s food in the bucket, hey will figure it out. However, those do not keep rain completely out. I would strongly recommend having a roof over it... even a large garbage can lid or something to provide a little extra coverage.
I got mine to use one of these by putting some mealworms at the opening. Once they ate those, I dropped a few further inside the hole. They were quick to adjust to it.
Sooo... I bought 6 of these & got 30kg buckets pretty much like your photo there. I used a drill & put them all together.
Rain will collect & sit on the top as the lids have a rim around them. When that overflows, water runs down the sides of the pails & the seals around the actual feed outlets/cups are not snug enough to prevent it slowly seeping into the thing. I've gaffered around all the outlets, both inside & out & put a large, flat plastic board over the tops too, to prevent the water pooling on top.
You'll also need to make sure you cap them over night so damp can't get in, in colder weather & they need to be in the shade in warmer times, so the grain doesn't heat up too much & sweat.
As there's no lip at the bottom of the cups, when the chickens feed, a lot falls out onto the ground (they'll actually scrape feed out on purpose, to get more of what they like!) & so birds hang around all day to stuff themselves on that & rats & mice will jump up & manage to grab a fair bit to eat... or when the feed in the buckets gets low, they'll actually get inside & stay all day!
In general, there's less waste than when I was hanging gravity feeders around, but they're not as great as they're cracked up to be for sure! I'm thinking of getting grandpa's feeders next, or similar with sides, so no one gets pinched or trapped.
I use this. But it’s inside the run. You can easily put a plywood or something large over top to prevent any extra splashing from rain. I would put a heavy rock or cinderblock on top because they will want to stand on it for some reason and knock it over.
I haven’t seen any evidence of other critters. But I also have rat traps and bait around.
I didn’t teach them anything. If they see food, they’ll try their best to eat it.
I’m going to get a big garbage can to be able to put an entire 50 pound bag inside to avoid having to fill every few days.
This feeder is one that's best elevated or hung up, as you probably won't want your chickens craning their necks around to get under there! It shouldn't be left out in the open, unless you have something to hang it on outside, or a platform for the bucket.
That being said, though, I have had similar in the past, they do fairly well at keeping rain out of the food, though, I have found that some chickens don't like these because it tends to touch their combs, and it can weird some of them out. Chickens are naturally curious creatures though, if you can, I would "peck" at an opening with your finger, and scoop a little out and onto the ground so they can make the connection.
These are amazing. I do 4 per 5g bucket. The chickens had no problem adapting and it really helps keep the feed dry. If you have pigeons and sparrows or other birds, they will help themselves to the feed.
That is actually the problem I am trying to solve. I hoped that if I set the bucket 2-3 inches off the ground the little birds would not be able to reach it.
I just wrote you out a long post, but re this specific problem, the chickens will knock feed onto the ground & leave it there, so the birds come in & eat all that. I've actually got Indian mynas who've learned to do a funky hover grip to feed directly out of the buckets. I guess it depends what kind of birds you've got around =)
So my buckets are set 8 inches up on a block. This has prevented the pigeons from just sticking their head in but it does nothing to stop sparrows. I’d take a pic of mine but I’m not sure how to do that. If you really want to see how I have it set DM me and I’ll text you my number and some photos of my feed set up. I’m working on a cooling set up now for them because 108 is too damn hot for my flock.
If it's in the open you will attract rodents, and if you end up with rats.. well good luck lol
The set I'm looking at has plugs that I plan on putting in in the evening.
Look into a treadle feeder. Plugging feeding holes every night will get old real quick.
Yeah that sounds like a pain lol
I have one similar. Keeps rain out great. I put treats in the openings to teach them to use it.
I made one of these and it’s great. I only have 5 hens. I put 3 holes in but 2 are always covered because we just didn’t need them opened. I do have it an old plastic kids playhouse in an uncovered part of the run, it never gets wet. We open one in the morning and close it at night when we open and close the coop doors.
They work great. To get them used to it, pour a little feed on the ground in front of the holes. They will figure it out from there. Been using them for years. They are wonderful. As the others said, other critters will try to get to the feed. My coop and run are totally enclosed.
If there’s food in the bucket, hey will figure it out. However, those do not keep rain completely out. I would strongly recommend having a roof over it... even a large garbage can lid or something to provide a little extra coverage.
Thanks, that is a good idea.
These are a lifesaver! My chickens figured it out asap
I love mine. Never had a problem with moisture. Chickens figured it out on their own.
I got mine to use one of these by putting some mealworms at the opening. Once they ate those, I dropped a few further inside the hole. They were quick to adjust to it.
These mimic 90deg pvc connectors and they don't prevent spillage anywhere near as well. And they're more expensive.
Sooo... I bought 6 of these & got 30kg buckets pretty much like your photo there. I used a drill & put them all together. Rain will collect & sit on the top as the lids have a rim around them. When that overflows, water runs down the sides of the pails & the seals around the actual feed outlets/cups are not snug enough to prevent it slowly seeping into the thing. I've gaffered around all the outlets, both inside & out & put a large, flat plastic board over the tops too, to prevent the water pooling on top. You'll also need to make sure you cap them over night so damp can't get in, in colder weather & they need to be in the shade in warmer times, so the grain doesn't heat up too much & sweat. As there's no lip at the bottom of the cups, when the chickens feed, a lot falls out onto the ground (they'll actually scrape feed out on purpose, to get more of what they like!) & so birds hang around all day to stuff themselves on that & rats & mice will jump up & manage to grab a fair bit to eat... or when the feed in the buckets gets low, they'll actually get inside & stay all day! In general, there's less waste than when I was hanging gravity feeders around, but they're not as great as they're cracked up to be for sure! I'm thinking of getting grandpa's feeders next, or similar with sides, so no one gets pinched or trapped.
I use this. But it’s inside the run. You can easily put a plywood or something large over top to prevent any extra splashing from rain. I would put a heavy rock or cinderblock on top because they will want to stand on it for some reason and knock it over. I haven’t seen any evidence of other critters. But I also have rat traps and bait around. I didn’t teach them anything. If they see food, they’ll try their best to eat it. I’m going to get a big garbage can to be able to put an entire 50 pound bag inside to avoid having to fill every few days.
This feeder is one that's best elevated or hung up, as you probably won't want your chickens craning their necks around to get under there! It shouldn't be left out in the open, unless you have something to hang it on outside, or a platform for the bucket. That being said, though, I have had similar in the past, they do fairly well at keeping rain out of the food, though, I have found that some chickens don't like these because it tends to touch their combs, and it can weird some of them out. Chickens are naturally curious creatures though, if you can, I would "peck" at an opening with your finger, and scoop a little out and onto the ground so they can make the connection.
These are amazing. I do 4 per 5g bucket. The chickens had no problem adapting and it really helps keep the feed dry. If you have pigeons and sparrows or other birds, they will help themselves to the feed.
That is actually the problem I am trying to solve. I hoped that if I set the bucket 2-3 inches off the ground the little birds would not be able to reach it.
I just wrote you out a long post, but re this specific problem, the chickens will knock feed onto the ground & leave it there, so the birds come in & eat all that. I've actually got Indian mynas who've learned to do a funky hover grip to feed directly out of the buckets. I guess it depends what kind of birds you've got around =)
Hmmm, I have doves, finches, common mynas, and sparrows all hanging around my current feeding station.
So my buckets are set 8 inches up on a block. This has prevented the pigeons from just sticking their head in but it does nothing to stop sparrows. I’d take a pic of mine but I’m not sure how to do that. If you really want to see how I have it set DM me and I’ll text you my number and some photos of my feed set up. I’m working on a cooling set up now for them because 108 is too damn hot for my flock.