Automatic Chicken Feeder With Upcycled Gutter & Metal Pieces

This guide will walk through primary steps to create an automatic chicken feeder by using upcycled gutter and metal pieces.

The feeder stays closed to keep the feed inside clean and safe. Chickens would have access to the feed when they step on the pedal. Some training may be required at the beginning of the implement so that chickens know how to access the food.

There are four primary components: the gutter base, cover lid, mechanical linkage, and pedal. The fabrication process will be explained in the later step.

An alternative version of the feeder uses plywood instead of metal pieces, see link here:

This guide is also part of an automated chicken coop project. Other guides listed below and be found via this link: https://www.instructables.com/member/Fowl%20Play/i...

Automated Chicken Coop Build (with drawer)
Automatic Chicken Door
Automatic Chicken Watering System
Automatic Misting System
Solar Panel & Rechargeable Battery Setup

*The fabrication process involves working with metals and requires some skills of using average household tools, such as power dill, snip, hacksaw, etc. Please ensure safety when fabricating. Safety glasses are recommended.

Step 1: Gather Materials & Tools

The materials used in this guide are mostly upcycled. They come from waste sources, such as local pick n' pull or junkyard. If desired, you can purchase them in a local hardware store or online.

Material:

Gutter & side caps
Upcycled metal piece (enough for making cover, pedal & mechanical linkage)
Upcycled hinges (size according to the dimension of the gutter, a piano hinge is desired in this case)
One or two brackets (attach to the cover lid, as part of mechanical linkage, reference step 4)
Two 1.5" long bolts
Two 1" long bolts
Two 2" long bolts
Nuts (more are needed than shown in the picture)
Rivets (or screws)
Washers (optional)

Tool:

Power drill/screw
Metal sheet snip tool
Hot glue
Hammer
Rivet gun (alternatively using screws)

Step 2: Make the Cover Lid

Use a piece of metal to make the cover lid:

place the piece above the gutter
make sure it can cover the gutter
flip the gutter around the place it on the metal piece
mark a line on the piece
use snip tool to cut out the cover

Step 3: Attach the Hinge

Depends on the metal piece you have, you may have to flatten it first, which is true in this case.

place the cover lid on a flat surface
flatten the cover lid, set it aside
position the piano hinge on the gutter (use screw temporarily if choose to use rivets)
use rivets of screws to secure the hinge
check the hinge works and lid pivots well.

*if you don't have a piano hinge, reference step 3 & step 6 to put regular hinges on.

Step 4: Attach a Bracket on to the Cover Lid

One side of the cover lid has no side panel to put a screw in, so a bracket is needed:

drill two holes on a bracket
place the bracket on the cover lid (about 1" from the pivot end)
use a marker to trace bracket's holes onto the cover lid
drill the holes on the lid according to the mark
use rivets to secure the bracket
the other side has side panel to put through a screw, so no need for a bracket

*the bracket will be used for mechanical linkage later

Step 5: Drill Holes on the Side Caps

Drill a hole on each of the caps:

mark the hole position as shown in the picture (2" from the base, 1" from the side)
drill through the mark
make sure a bolt can fit through

*the holes will be used as the pivot point for the opening mechanism

Step 6: Fix the Caps Onto the Gutter

Drill the holes so that rivets can go through
use a rivet gun to put on the rivets

Step 7: Make the Lever Arms

use a metal strip, make the lever arms
mark two strips as12" long (1-ft)
mark hole positions as shown in the picture
drill through the mark
make sure bolt can fit through

Step 8: Mount the Lever Arms

use bolts and nuts secure the lever arms onto the gutter as shown in the picture

Step 9: Add Supports to the Front

mark two strips on a metal piece
use snip tool to cut along the mark
bend the edges to correct angle
drill holes on the supporting pieces and the gutter
use rivets to secure them

Step 10: Make the Pedal & Attach It to the Two Lever Arms

use the similar method used in making the cover lid to make the pedal:

mark a line on a piece of metal, leave some room for making the small side panel for mounting
use snip tool to cut along the long
bend the ends to create side panel for mounting by using a clamp tool
drill holes on the side panels created & on the lever arms
use rivets to mount the pedal panel

Step 11: Connect Lever Arms to the Lid

Make the connecting arms with the leftover of the metal strip used earlier (make them longer first, the length may need to be reduced)
Go from 4.5'' to around 3.5'', the correct length should be in this range
use trial & error to find out the proper length that allows the cover lid to a reasonable opening after the pedal is stepped on