{"id":3420,"date":"2020-12-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/?p=3420"},"modified":"2021-02-17T08:19:20","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T14:19:20","slug":"diy-your-own-chicken-feeder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/index.php\/2020\/12\/07\/diy-your-own-chicken-feeder\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY your own Chicken Feeder"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We have always used a hanging chicken feeder or a pan on the ground to feed the chickens. They have worked great for us but now that we have a few more chickens, I need to add an additional feeder so I decided on a DIY chicken feeder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases at no additional cost to you. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Feeders <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Adult birds need 4 inches of feeder space per bird. Chicks need 2 inches. We are big on having feed out at all times. That way the girls at the bottom of the pecking order<\/strong><\/a> can eat when the other girls are off free-ranging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve started researching different feeders. Generally, with the hanging feeder<\/a>, chickens can\u2019t scratch out the feed so there should be less mess, but our girls peck in it and still tend to spill it on the ground.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d love a Grandpa feeder<\/a> but I worry the chickens won\u2019t be able to figure out how to use it plus it\u2019s a little expensive. Still, it\u2019s tempting. I know I would save money on wasted feed plus cut down on the mice but I just can\u2019t bring myself to buy one yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"favorite<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We have several feed pans<\/a> that I use but, seriously, the littles get in them and scratch around like they are looking for bugs or they scratch dirt and bedding in it. I\u2019m constantly emptying it or throwing out the feed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m also looking for something convenient and that will hold more than the pans. When we go to our property, I worry the chickens will run out of feed. My son takes care of them (and does a good job) but still, several times we\u2019ve come home and the feeder is empty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found a galvanized feeding trough<\/a> on Amazon. The wire guard is to prevent chickens from standing on top of it and pooping in it plus it\u2019s supposed to keep them from scratching it out. Being galvanized, it will definitely hold up over the years but it doesn\u2019t hold as much as I\u2019d like and I think the girls would still scratch dirt and bedding in it. I may get one if we have baby chicks again.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIY Chicken Feeder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve decided to try and DIY a chicken feeder with a PVC-type pipe. I\u2019ve seen a lot of people use these and it looks simple to make. The 5-gallon bucket is a popular DIY but I think the pipe will work better for our setup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I used for my DIY chicken feeder: <\/p>\n\n\n\n