Chicken Feeder

This is our first instructable so we will start by showing you how to build a chicken feeder that will feed 4-6 chickens and remain free of droppings that chickens so often leave behind.
We have alot of that at our farm.
So lets get started!

Our animals can be seen by visting the link below
Barn Yard Life

Step 1 Intro

Sure you can go the feed store and buy a feeder made from plastic or galvanized metal. Some of these are cheap and will last many years since they are not environmentally friendly. Lets face it; we all know how long plastic takes to decompose. Not to mention, plastic and sunshine are not the best combination either. I have bought a few plastic water feeders and none have lasted more than 2 seasons. So I started thinking of ways to keep the chickens safe and not pollute the environment. You are now reading the results of one those grand ideas. Its a fun project and should only take 30-45 minutes. Have fun and be careful.

Comments

[mattnbrenda]

lol screws/nails which ever you prefer

[kobra8]

That sure is a funny looking screwdriver you are using.

[Gizmodude]

I've made the chicken feeder and I am very happy with it, but the chickens jump up in it and kick out the food, so I drilled holes top and bottom to put in 3 / 16 steelwire with 2 inch spacing in the feeders length, so now the chickens can't come in to the feeder and kick out the food.

[WoundedEgo]

I don't have much experience, but it seems that that board on top would invite roosting, and hence bird waste just where you don't want it - in the food. No?

[mattnbrenda]

I thought of that after I built the first one, but since they have a roost in their coop they don't roost on the feeder. The handle does stop them from scratching in the food and spilling it out.

[tymebldr]

That's what works for me. They would jump in to the "trough" and flinging food everywhere. This prevents the bigger pullets from doing it but I have a couple youngsters that cant help themselves. All in all, a good instructable. I had some scrap wood lying around and used that. I also made mine a bit longer. Thanks Matt!

[chuckr44]

I don't think your 'ible said this, but you should use solid wood (like your pictures show), not plywood, chipboard, or any manufactured wood, for this outdoor project. Solid wood will last longer while plywood will last only 1 season. Try to use cedar if possible. It will last longer. If no cedar, use a hardwood like oak, maple, or hickory. If not, then go with pine as a last resort. Neat idea, though.

[mattnbrenda]

we used pine because we get a great deal from our local sawmill. While I agree that hardwoods will last longer, pine is cheaper and more readily available for our region. Cedar on the other hand is not good for any birds. And should also be avoided with small mammals, (IE..hamsters, rabbits, and other little not peoples)

[WriterofWords]

Never use Cedar with chickens it's toxic.

[Phil B]

You did a nice job and I am sure you have a good deal of satisfaction from it. It is a nice Instructable, too. At the risk of speaking where I should be quiet, I noticed the photo of you ripping a board in Step 5. I remember reading an article on using table saws in which they encouraged lowering the blade so it sticks up above the wood you are cutting only about 1/8 inch. The geometry of the teeth on the blade is supposed to give a smoother cut, and if your hand slips you receive a flesh wound rather than losing part of a finger or a hand.

[RaisedByRobots]

bok! chickens are cute!