$11 PVC Chicken Feeder DIY - AMA S9:E5

[@keithcarmichael5433]

When I take the one third off of the PVC pipe it leaves a nice scrip to hang above the feeder to prevent chickens from standing in the feed.

[@lincolnbeach1847]

This is my 2nd year raising Cornish cross chickens with your tractor design. I used the feeder that you show and have not modified it. It seems to work just fine for me. Some things I have changed is the watering system. I built a bracket on the back to hold a 5 gallon bucket that feeds 10 water cups along the back side of the tractor so that i can fill the water from the outside. I also added two wheels to the front of the tractor to make moving a little easier. I also added electric fence this year. I had zero loss last year to predators, and I lost 6 in one night this year. I bought a solar charger, and a rotating base for a GPS unit for a boat. I mounted the charger to the rotating base so no matter where I move the tractor, I can rotate the charger where I need it. I mounted that on the frame work that makes up the top of the door. It completely stopped my predator problem! Thanks for all of the information that you put out there for us John! You were the main source of my information when I started raising chickens. I will always be grateful for the information that you have shared. I plan on doing my own butchering in 3 weeks, for the first time. We will see how that goes!

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

Lincoln Beach hi, was Reading your comment and I am interested in your Waterer any chance you could post a pic?

[@lincolnbeach1847]

@@Mary-had-a-lil-farm I would love to. My only problem is, I don't know how to post a picture on KZbin! :)

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

Lincoln Beach hi Lincoln thanks for replying back. I am not sure how to either LOL I’m not even sure if you can but I just thought I’d ask have a good day anyhow 😁

[@shadnkids4]

How did your butchering go? I'll be doing my own soon.. it will be my first time also

[@lincolnbeach1847]

@@shadnkids4 It went really well. Although slow. I did 26 in one day and it took me all day to do it. I'm sure as I continue to do it, I will get quicker with it. But at this stage, i'm more concerned about doing everything right instead of fast. I did a lot of research before I started. Lots of KZbin videos and I bought a book to help out. Let me know how it goes for you! I'm sure it will go just fine!

[@taze27]

John, I love these short and sweet and very educational Q&A videos! Thank you so much!

[@AmyKaylene]

We built 6 Suscovich chicken tractors 3 years ago and we love them! We use the same feeders and don’t have any food waste. The key is to keep 2/3 of the circumference as John explained. We run our birds between rows of berry bushes in our orchard and these tractors are perfect. Thanks John!

[@shermdog6969]

I use rain gutter. Very cheap and easy to make.

[@rickayers3150]

Hi john, yes i use you tractor design and love them, and yes i have modified the design. I use the same 4 inch feeders you do all though i stock my tractors with 35 chicks each. I fond that tge 5 ft trough is not long enough the last two weeks so i went out to a 75 inch lenth and it works much better. Added benafit you dont have to step in the door to fill.😊

[@farmermom]

We raise 60-90 CX chicks each year on our homestead (we don't sell) in batches of 30. Third year using your tractor and we haven't modified it much. Use the same pvc feeder and have very little waste. Just to let you know, we also used the tractor as an emergency duck shelter (khaki campbells) and they did very well (although we had to use a different water system for them). I think it could easily be used for them on pasture as well....we may try a batch of meat ducks next year in the tractor! Thank you John! We enjoy our Suscovich tractor so much!

[@stevenpeterson8444]

food on the ground isn’t lost food. they eat it all no matter what. sometimes i intentionally put it on the ground to get out pesky weeds or ant hills, etc.

[@jerrellbevers6071]

Chickens will always *flick* food around. They first look for what they consider the perfect sized pieces of food, if it is all a uniform type of feed as in not mixed seed. They frantically look for the _good pieces_ and will come back for the other than desirable sized pieces of food. I used to watch them eat and become perturbed at the amount of waste and food on the ground and then one day came across an ag extension paper describing the eating process.

[@bradmiller7001]

just add a string or wire across the top so the birds have no room to walk! Simple and easy!

[@sabrinabrouseau2039]

I was just thinking that! But I was thinking a wire with straws all the way across. To stimulate the store bought trough feeder with spinning top which discourages perching! I know how I'm making mine now🙂

[@bradmiller7001]

@@sabrinabrouseau2039 Drinking straws are even better, great idea!

[@WendyAchatz]

Happy chickens & happy john. All is good

[@littlewillowhomestead113]

I saw your feeders and had my husband make them.. we had almost zero waste and bigger birds this last round.. the feeders were our only change.. they can’t knock them over so feed was always available..

[@leonannegers7874]

Could you use the 4in pipe and put a set of hinges on the part you cut and put 1in holes in that top?

[@bobbywalden1981]

I did this idea but I put it against the wall so they cannot sit on.

[@819lindagirl1]

I like this!

[@barryweigle1356]

Started out with your trough, then bell feeder not good experience will always do trough from now on.

[@be-happy3630]

do you use the mobile tractor all year round even in winter

[@beenshocked1443]

Do you recommend pelletized feed to reduce waste?

[@tank5944]

don't they poop in it?

[@howlie58]

Shouldn’t the catch phrase be “you’ll see me out in the field”? After all, we are watching you in these videos...