How to Make a Poultry Feeder
Small scale poultry raisers often look for ways to save a few dollars. Many devices, including the poultry feeder, can be built from common, inexpensive items. According to Backwoods Home magazine, this particular feeder can be built with common items available at discount or grocery stores using basic hand and power tools. It offers the same functionality as commercially manufactured poultry feeders.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 to 3 gallon bucket
- Relish tray
- Power drill
- 3 to 5 3/8 inch bolts with nuts and washers
Instructions
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1
Purchase a 2 to 3-gallon plastic bucket with a lid. You may be able to acquire this item for free from a restaurant or bakery where they are used for delivery.
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2
When purchasing a relish tray, it should be 4 to 6 inches larger in diameter than the bucket. Relish trays commonly have divider partitions creating four to six segments. These dividers will be used to fasten the bucket and tray together.
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3
Drill a 2-inch hole in the bottom of the bucket. The number of holes should coincide with the number of segments in the tray. Mark the holes so each will empty feed into one of the trays.
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4
Turn the bucket upside down and place the tray on the bucket. Align the tray so the holes feed into each of the trays. Drill one 3/8 inch hole through each divider of the tray and continue the hole through the bottom of the inverted bucket.
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5
Fasten the relish tray to the bucket using 3/8 inch bolts with lock washers. Turn the feeder over and it is ready for the poultry.
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Tips & Warnings
The feeder can be hung from the bucket handle a few inches off the floor or set on the poultry house floor. Use a file or rasp to clear some of the rough edges around the drilled holes through the plastic.
Don’t overly tighten the bolts holding the relish tray to the bucket. The plastic of the tray could crack.
References
- Photo Credit many chickens on the farm image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
