I just came across your post on BYC and followed the link here. I did this several months ago in one of my coops (I have two coops) with nine girls in the coop where I installed the feeder. I have to say it works GREAT. I wasn't aware that there was a 3" drain pipe when I built mine, I used 4" drain pipe and my numbers were extremely close to yours, but I bought a 12' piece of the pipe and intended to make a second feeder for the other coop (eight girls and a rooster). I realized today that I don't have the 90 degree elbow, nor the two caps, so the next time I go to town those are on my shopping list.
I cut the 12' piece of pipe in half, then cut one piece into two pieces, one is 2 feet and the other four feet, then I cut two inch holes, and the girls dip their heads to get the feed. I think it works wonderfully, and I only have to refill it once a week with nine girls.
I am still using the older type metal feeder with the ring around the bottom and today I noticed that it was empty (again) after only three days. DARN, all the neighborhood birds are getting into the coop and stealing the feed, so I guess it really IS time to go shopping and get that elbow and two caps, that's all I am lacking to finish this little project.
I agree with you, I just love this feeder!! It allows me to go on little vacations because my girls have food for at least a month! I only have two chickens and my feed last a long time:) Of course when it last almost a month my girls also are free ranging so if I went on a vacation and probably cut that time and half.
I worry about plasticizers migrating into the food, especially since I live in AZ and it will be hot at least half the year. Any thoughts on this? I really need to do this but hesitate for the one reason...
being that chicken feed is a dry food, i wouldnt think there would be much problem with that. But that is just me. Plus its not going to get too hot unless you install it in direct sunlight, which is the other way ive heard of plasticizer problems..
This is an ingenious feeder! Wish I would have had it for my chickens. It would have saved a lot of money on feed! Do you have any difficulty with water seeping into the pipe during wet weather?
If you're looking for a resource for caps, alliance-express.com has almost any cap imaginable with no minimum purchase.
Hi Colleen:) I don't know if you were able to yet but we made a new website and I did a lot more information on this on our new website page. http://j.mp/2nKCz2v
With ground squirrels there are other feeding methods like those feeders that the chickens have to stand on in order for them to open.
It's really an awesome idea at a cheaper cost. PVC Pipes are cheap and can be used easily for the project as it is light in weight.
ReplyDeleteIt works great as well! It keeps the feed dry, fresh, and free from chicken poop:) How many chicken do you have?
DeleteThis works for you deer hunters also.
ReplyDeleteDoes it? That's cool:)
ReplyDeleteI just came across your post on BYC and followed the link here. I did this several months ago in one of my coops (I have two coops) with nine girls in the coop where I installed the feeder. I have to say it works GREAT. I wasn't aware that there was a 3" drain pipe when I built mine, I used 4" drain pipe and my numbers were extremely close to yours, but I bought a 12' piece of the pipe and intended to make a second feeder for the other coop (eight girls and a rooster). I realized today that I don't have the 90 degree elbow, nor the two caps, so the next time I go to town those are on my shopping list.
ReplyDeleteI cut the 12' piece of pipe in half, then cut one piece into two pieces, one is 2 feet and the other four feet, then I cut two inch holes, and the girls dip their heads to get the feed. I think it works wonderfully, and I only have to refill it once a week with nine girls.
I am still using the older type metal feeder with the ring around the bottom and today I noticed that it was empty (again) after only three days. DARN, all the neighborhood birds are getting into the coop and stealing the feed, so I guess it really IS time to go shopping and get that elbow and two caps, that's all I am lacking to finish this little project.
Skip
Hi Skip:)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I just love this feeder!! It allows me to go on little vacations because my girls have food for at least a month! I only have two chickens and my feed last a long time:) Of course when it last almost a month my girls also are free ranging so if I went on a vacation and probably cut that time and half.
Keep me posted on your progress, will ya?
God Bless - Matt
I worry about plasticizers migrating into the food, especially since I live in AZ and it will be hot at least half the year. Any thoughts on this?
ReplyDeleteI really need to do this but hesitate for the one reason...
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you Amy:( Maybe you can use clay pipe or metel air ducting? Hope that helps.
Deletebeing that chicken feed is a dry food, i wouldnt think there would be much problem with that. But that is just me. Plus its not going to get too hot unless you install it in direct sunlight, which is the other way ive heard of plasticizer problems..
DeleteId love to see a pic or video of the finished working product. I really like this idea
ReplyDeleteThis is an ingenious feeder! Wish I would have had it for my chickens. It would have saved a lot of money on feed!
ReplyDeleteDo you have any difficulty with water seeping into the pipe during wet weather?
If you're looking for a resource for caps, alliance-express.com has almost any cap imaginable with no minimum purchase.
Thank you for the compliment. No, no issues with water seeping in:)
DeleteThank you for the compliment. No, no issues with water seeping in:)
DeleteUsing a 4 inch pipe with a 90 angle and then a 45 degree angle attached at the bottom is great for a dog/cat feeder as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this article of making a Chicken feeder pipe out of PVC pipes. Great idea at a cheaper cost compare to other materials.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the best pipe feeder plan that would discourage ground squirrels?
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen:) I don't know if you were able to yet but we made a new website and I did a lot more information on this on our new website page. http://j.mp/2nKCz2v
DeleteWith ground squirrels there are other feeding methods like those feeders that the chickens have to stand on in order for them to open.