Introduction: Livestock Feeder
This is how I went about making this two part sheep feeder.
Supplies
Using pallet wood, scrap corrugated iron and an old drum.
Step 1:
As always I started by cutting and pulling apart the pallets. 45 palings ended up being plenty.
Step 2:
I used a cutting disc on the angle grinder to cut the drum in half, length-ways.
Step 3:
I then cleaned up the edges with a rasp.
Step 4:
For the main structure I used the center beams of the pallet. (The stringers)
Step 5:
I made the back wall first and that is just a simple frame held together with bugle screws.
Step 6:
I use my speed square to keep all my cuts straight.
Step 7:
Pre-drill all your holes then give them a chamfer.
Step 8:
I then started laying down all the palings for the back wall.
Step 9:
Keeping the bottom edge flush.
Step 10:
To quickly mark where I wanted my holes, I used a straight edge to mark center of my top and bottom beam.
Step 11:
Once all the palings are attached, flip it over and cut your top edge flush with the beam.
Step 12:
I want the front edge of the drum to be closer to the ground to make it a little bit easier for them to eat out of.
Step 13:
I then drilled and attached the drum to the back wall.
Step 14:
Moving on to the side wall, I drilled two pocket holes on either side.
Step 15:
I wanted a decent pitch for the roof, so I made the front post a foot longer than the back.
Step 16:
Now to join your two "L" pieces together.
Step 17:
It's easier to lay one of the "L" pieces on a flat surface,
with the other one balancing on top of both your top and bottom beam.
Step 18:
And it is a bit of a juggling act
so I give the bugles a good tap with the hammer, to get them started in the correct position.
Step 19:
Now we can walk that back over to the rest of the build and attach them
at the bottom where we previously drilled our pocket holes.
Step 20:
To keep the front parallel with the back I cut two palings the same length as the base and attached them higher up.
It is now square and strong.
Step 21:
I pre-cut and drilled my side panels and used a spare paling underneath the base
to give me a flatter surface than the grass.
Step 22:
Attach two palings along the lower front to give it a cleaner finish.
Step 23:
Moving on to these side pieces, this isn't necessary, but it does hide the ugly sides of the drum.
Step 24:
For the back cut I set the circular saw at 15 degrees, and the front edge at 45 degrees,
using the speed square to keep the cuts straight.
Step 25:
Mark where you will be making your cuts.
Step 26:
Then use a jigsaw to cut them out.
Step 27:
Moving onto the roof. I attach the rafters from the inside.
Step 28:
To finish off the sides I attach a paling to the inside of the rafter to give me something to attach the side palings too.
Step 29:
I cut the back angle first, then mark where I'll cut the front edge.
Step 30:
And since the pitch of the roof remains the same you can use the off-cuts further up.
Step 31:
Moving on to the hay feeder at the back.
Step 32:
I cut 5 palings at 50 degrees.
Step 33:
Worked out my spacing and drilled two holes for each.
Step 34:
Drill your holes at a bit of an angle to allow the screws to go straight up into your palings.
Step 35:
I decided I wanted the height of the hay feeder to be the same height as the back wall.
So I held the spirit level on the back wall and marked the height onto the paling.
Step 36:
Transfer that length on to the rest of the palings and cut those at 40 degrees.
Step 37:
Attach and pre-drill a hole into each of those pieces.
Step 38:
Then bring in your joining piece.
Step 39:
The length of the roof was determined by the off-cuts of the corrugated iron.
I just needed to straighten up the edges.
Step 40:
Use tin snips or a cutting disc on the angle grinder to cut your sheets.
Step 41:
To attach the corrugated iron, I punched a nail through first to create a hole for the screws.
Step 42:
You would normally put the screws on the ridge, but the screws I have are not long enough.
And this is a feeder, not a house. So I think we will be fine.
Step 43:
Now for another unnecessary step that does nothing for the structural integrity of the feeder,
but does make it look better, is the fascia.
Step 44:
I joined these two pieces together before attaching to the feeder.
Step 45:
And then I made these little end caps. This step is crucial because it looks like garbage without it.
Step 46:
Here we have the hay cage at the top and the grain drum at the bottom.
Which also helps catch the fallen hay.
Step 47:
I really like the hay cage because it prevents them from pulling the entire thing out and stomping it into the ground.
I have more DIY farm builds over on YouTube.
And I would love to have you there ♥