DIY Chicken Feeder Bin NO MESS Bulk Cheap & Easy to Do!

[@Travel_Effect]

Even after more than 8 years of this video, this is still the no nonsense bin chicken feeder, economic and fit for purpose and use. Thank you sir!

[@sallyluntao9044]

Best feeder ever! No waste at all. Used fringed clear plastic over the access holes to keep out the wild birds. Chickens learned to use it in one day. Easy to make for very little money. Love them. I'm saving a ton on feed now. Thanks!

[@VictorBrichaut]

I was getting frustrated about the food spillage in my coop and considering buying an expensive feeder, despite mixed reviews. And then I find this video and see that a person from literally across the world has found a solution nearly 10 years ago and shared it with the world. People figuring stuff out and sharing it online has got to be the best part of the internet.

[@kristinwisdom5689]

I wanted to say thanks for the design. I made one a couple days ago out of a large trash can and mounted a bucket (no bottom) mounted 6” from the bottom inside to hold extra food and poured an entire 30 lb bag of chicken feed into it and there is still room. The girls have been using it for a couple days and there is no mess! Thanks again.

[@Selfsufficientme]

An interesting and good thing I forgot to mention about the bin feeder is it can be used with wet or fermented feed or it also doesn't matter too much if the feeder does get a little rain inside because the birds will like the soften grains and it won't clog either! I've been so happy about hearing all the modifications and improvements to my basic feeder design people have sent me via social media and email. I'm still using these same feeders and for my situation, I couldn't be happier with the results. Thanks for all the LIKES!!! Cheers, Mark

[@VictorBrichaut]

Hey Mark, This video is almost 10 years old. Is this still the best design or have you made any improvements over the years?

[@WildWestRosie]

I just bought some baby chicks (I'm a first time mother hen. Lol) and the little feeder the came with were terrible, the chicks would scratch out all of their feed, leaving a huge mess in their tub. I had purchased a trash bin to use as you suggested, but I needed something for my chicks until they go out in the yard. I'm disabled, and have a very low income, so I couldn't just go out and buy my way out of this problem. So I grabbed an old square (Crystal geyser) gallon water jug, and cut holes in it, just as if it were a large container. Now my feed doesn't get wasted, and it lasts a couple of days! Thank you for the brilliant idea!

[@louisehunt-price5998]

I live in the suburbs and decided to start raising chickens. I started with 4. I found your demo on this feeder after researching MANY. I went with your design, made it all by myself... :) and it works GREAT!!! I love this! No spilling, the birds love it, easy to make, easy to use, easy to carry, easy to clean and CHEAP! Thank You Thank You! - Louise in Texas, USA

[@Selfsufficientme]

Louise Hunt-Price Hi Louise your comments have made my day! I'm so glad this type of feeder design has worked for your needs (and your chickens). I really love all DIY kind of things (but I'm not the best handyman myself) so I thought this feeder was something most people could easily make from any old bucket or container especially if I could do it and feedback like yours is very helpful. Thanks :)

[@barbarabeard6017]

Fantastic! 8 years ago! Just got my first baby chicks last week and have been trying to figure out how to do this in some other way than I've seen when I saw your video. Was also going to build one out of wood with food-grade finish. Maybe you can design one of those as well. Definitely going to do one of yours. High winds in the desert so this one could conceivably also be nailed into the ground from inside the Barrel in the center with a really big washer! Thank you!

[@vincentefox6707]

Thanks for the video. I was so happy to hear at the end it took ten years for you to figure it out because I haven't figured anything out yet. I just watch videos to get ideas. I'm so happy that people like you are generous and share what you know. Thanks.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you! Yes and there are many things I still haven't figured out yet either but like you I'm happy to learn from others. All the best! :)

[@belindaplante8410]

I'm a first time chicken owner and they're more so pets to me. Your videos help me understand so much. Your advice is greatly appreciated and your preparing me for situations that could and will arise. They haven't even had their 1st molt yet. I live in Rhode Island, USA. Thank you for all your videos. Next year I'm going to start growing more fruits and vegetables because I have to depend on stores less and feed my 4 generations better. We're a close family and not rich by any means. Just know I think you're amazing and inspiring.

[@soapsoilandsunshine3241]

Hi Mark. I watched this video and set hubby up to the task of "altering" our existing (and failed) no mess feeder which had the elaborate storm drain elbows arrangement. Your feeder is great. Even though we have some hens who just love looking for those little elusive seeds they just can't live without, this feeder works a treat. They never spill anything. I've since made smaller versions out of a plastic 5L chemical bottle (only a hand cleaner), for my turkey poults. This is also spill proof, even with their young bird shenanigan's. I hang it from the wire roof of their brooder so they can't tip it over as they do get quite rambunctious.

[@clynntpotts9781]

I've started watching since last year March 2020. 'Best decision yet.Im gardening away now, and my vegetables and chickens are so beautiful. You became a GREAT part of my daily you tube watch routine, and what I call... time to watch some of "My Farm boys & Gals..." you guys are the best. Most of the things I know. Taught by old timers you know hehe, They would chase me down the dam, if they heard me now. You just remind me of my GrandFather(Rest In Paradise Cowboy), my Father( My Rock), and my aunt(Rest In, Paradise sweet aunty), when they were buzy in the GiGi Garden...You look sooo much younger here bro. Gardening is time machine hey... :-)

[@purpleskooliegirl]

If your bucket seems too big for the birds to reach the center. Maybe smaller birds or bigger bucket. Just get a cheap funnel and place it in the center. It'll push the food close enough for them to reach. This really is a simple and great idea. Have a beautiful day

[@andrewtrejo4442]

I made one of my own and I have to say it is the best chicken feeder I own. I got a 5 gallon bucket from Walmart and made one of my own to feed my chickens and it is really a no mess feeder. It’s better than those 20+ dollar feeders.

[@russbowman6801]

Nice solution! I think another tub above this one with a tube going down to about an inch to the bottom of the bottom tub would allow you to put more in the upper tub so the feed would last a lot longer before you need to refill it.

[@ninon108]

This is the same i was about to comment! But the original idea is the very best! Thank you Mark! for this 10 years of high designing work!

[@danielwong8363]

Just made 2 feed buckets. One small for the bantams which is 4 inch off the bottom & one 6 inch off the bottom for the chickens. It is another recycled item I have made for our chickens. Your videos have been an enormous help to us.

[@Selfsufficientme]

+Daniel Wong That's awesome Daniel! And I'm wrapped you were able to adjust the design to suit your breed of birds or flock. Thank you for sharing the measurements and letting me know. Cheers :)

[@elaineoutdoors9581]

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE! I just discovered your channel & its great! You have some really great practical ideas & loads of wonderful information!

[@rebeccaleh]

Thank you for this tutorial! I used small food-grade buckets from a local restaurant to make a set of these for my flock of bantams. They're working beautifully for all of my birds, from little chicks to full-grown hens.

[@kmonnier]

Still the best and easiest feeder on KZbin

[@cyeseye8387]

Excellent idea; have looked at a number of DIY feeder systems and this appears to be head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to cost and being easy to make.

[@Selfsufficientme]

+CyesEye Thank you very much for saying so! This feeder definitely is easy to make and I hope yours turns out a hit with your birds also. Cheers :)

[@GreenPowerFarm]

Thanks! I'm going to make one today asap!!! I almost bought one for 40$ last night at Tractor supply..you just saved me some money brother!

[@grahamrdyer6322]

I'm so glad I found you, This looks to me the best feeder, simple but effective, 10 years in it's inception but you have helped SO many of us. Thanks mate.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Graham R Dyer Thanks Graham, yeah it's not the prettiest feeder and it's limited to how much feed it can hold but it does work, and it is cheap + easy to make. I've been through countless commercial feeders only to be disappointed with them all so far. Cheers mate :)

[@grahamrdyer6322]

Self Sufficient Me I've made one out of a small plastic stacking box with ply screwed on top, I cut out the hole in the ply for my chickens to feed from ,I then turned it on it's side and I cut a hole in the top so I can fill it, It works so well and your right, not a bit of food on the ground. Thanks again for a smart Idea. 10/10..........Oh and the Peanuts are Planted !

[@Selfsufficientme]

Graham R Dyer That's AWESOME Graham - I'm so glad it works for you and you were able to adapt it to your own design with easily obtained materials! That's self-sufficiency in a nutshell and great use of resources. Cheers :) PS: Good luck with the peanuts...

[@barbarastarek8925]

i have watched a lot of chicken feeder vIDOES and yours is the very best thanks from dallas ,texas USA

[@Selfsufficientme]

+barbara starek Hi Barbara and thank you for your kind comment! Cheers :)

[@angelaedwards145]

I have googled the internet and stores looking for a better solution to keep feed inside. And limit feed all on. The floor spilled out. I finally found your video and made one and I couldn't be happier!!! Its amazing the feed that I save. Thanks for this great video!!!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Glad you like the idea and it was helpful for you - I'm still using mine! Cheers :)

[@robertgonzalez8419]

Sometimes simple is the best way. I think you hit a home run. God bless

[@silverspaceflyer]

I was having terrible problems with feed going everywhere and attracting rodents. I'm a wildlife carer so felt terrible about putting poison out (because of owls, pythons etc eating poisoned rodents) but had no choice otherwise the neighbours would have been complaining about the rats. I improvised a little and bought a 35 litre storage drum from Bunnings (cost about $25) which has a strong handle on top so is easy to lift. Since using this there has been almost zero feed on the ground. I always take it out late afternoon and it fits perfectly into a rubbish bin where it's stored over night. This is genius and has solved our problems 100%! Thanks!

[@glennhall1202]

My wife and I made one of these feeders, two weeks in and it works great. Excellent tip Mark!

[@HydroMedix]

Great simple design. If you want to add more capacity and utilize the wasted space, install a wide middle stack to disperse the feed.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Joe L Hi Joe, thanks for the suggestion and I may look into doing exactly that mate! Cheers :)

[@jamesknutson8049]

This feeder works GREAT!!! I had attempted one of the one using the 90 degree elbows. My chickens didnt like it at all. I build one of your, used 3/8 inch oil hose and 4 zip strips... ( was what I had on hand) Worked like a charm!!! Thanks for the video!!!

[@Selfsufficientme]

+James Knutson You beauty! I'm glad you could make your feeder out of handy recycled materials you had lying around, thank you for letting me know about it and how you adapted the build. Cheers James :)

[@traryvery8851]

Hi Mark, I made one of your feeders and it is indeed easy and cheap to make and the chickens love it. I put it under shelter in the winter to keep the rain off ( ha ha not much because I live in Adelaide) and put it away in an old lidded metal rubbish bin in the evenings so that any rats don’t get to it

[@maxpwr_fpv4987]

Mark, you've come a long way in 5 years mate. No more Carlton shirts, hahahaha. Off to grab some 20L buckets and corro conduit now...

[@ClintL63]

I made this feeder from a five gallon bucket and fastened a piece of plywood to the bottom and leave the top off; leave an extra hole or more in the bottom to not let rain fill it up; I have had these buckets for three years now and No Wasted feed! Thank you for the origional idea!!

[@murphysquint3436]

Hello Mark, your feeder design is working great me. We have 5 pullets in our backyard in Phoenix, AZ. I plan to review the rest of your videos soon. Will add picture when i get a good one, Thanks again, Robert

[@Selfsufficientme]

Murphy Squint Hi Robert and thanks heaps for the feedback! I'm glad your's is working well and I have to say I reviewed all 3 of my bin/bucket feeders yesterday and I couldn't be happier with how they are going. I'd like to see a pic of your feeder for sure! Cheers mate :)

[@ann7318]

I got my bucket, lid, and that ribbed stuff for the hole bottom. That ribbed stuff is not cheap in the US. I hope to make one of these this week. I am glad you give the regular measurements in addition to the metrics.

[@Kd8OUR]

I simply used a commercial feeder and added tube like that on the bottom. I riveted a sheet of stainless steel above the opening to prevent the chickens from climbing in or reaching the feet in. I have had little spillage, more concerned about rodents and rain.

[@slimer240]

I making one for my 8 rhode island Reds. Super smart and easy system and by the looks of it very effective. 👌👍

[@hhcosminnet]

Thank you, man! You are a genius! I got excited with the feeder and I do not have any fowls! My neighbour does! 😁 Liked the touch with the rounded margin for the little dinosaurs to eat comfortably!

[@sherryhamilton5434]

HI MIKE, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A BIG THANKS, I BUILT THE CHICKEN FEEDER AND AM VERY HAPPY AND IT WORKS JUST LIKE YOU SAY AND MY LADIES ARE LOVING IT TO SO THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stephenclaymcgehee2931]

Excellent! It worked great for me - waste has been cut to about zero. I kept looking for some fancy solution, but this cheap and simple feeder beats them all. I used a piece of plastic tubing left over from another project, and used hot-melt glue to secure it to the bucket.

[@ashleygarcia7228]

I absolutely love this! I just got some chickens and have been looking for a less messy feeder! Thank you!

[@melaniesmith1313]

I used the old hose from my CPAP breathing machine. We made the hosing go up to the top of both holes. We have it sitting on bricks. We will watch carefully to see if rodents are deterred. ZThank you for this design.

[@SamanthaHatfield91]

Wow- this looks do-able and functiona-ble and of course affordable! Thanks so much for posting this, we are going to try it out. Appreciate it very much. Look forward to viewing other videos.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Samantha Hatfield Thanks Samantha! Yes, I'm still happy with mine and plan to make another large bin feeder soon - I might trial 3 holes instead of the two but they are all going well and my PVC, standard chicken feeders, and treadle feeder are all now redundant sitting there empty LOL. Cheers :)

[@patcummins6036]

I’m trialing the PVC tube method at the moment as we have about a dozen ring neck doves and top knot pigeon freeloaders and even more sparrows making themselves at home feeding on what the chickens kick out of the treadle feeder. BTW I had a real battle getting the chickens to use the treadle feeder without propping the lid up. I have a spare 20 litre plastic bucket to spare so I will make it into a Marks Style feeder. Thank you for all your tips.

[@fcspikeit]

Thank you for the info! I am going to make a couple of these. We have 40 Chickens that are only 6 or 7 weeks old now, they would be able to jump in the bucket, So I may make it with a smaller hole and then make it larger as they get bigger. The only issue with that is it would have to start out lower then 6 inches from the bottom.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Best of luck with your feeder build! That's a good idea to expand the feeder holes as the hens grow. I'm still happy with ours they're working well! Cheers :)

[@lisabooker6405]

OMG!! This is actually AWESOME! Love this idea. Gonna share it with my daughter! Thanks Mark! Blessings~Lisa

[@Selfsufficientme]

+Lisa Booker cool, glad you like it! I'm still using the same ones and they work well plus cheap to make :)

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Adapt/ design your own feeder Mark,you have the experience and knowledge. You could patent it and clean up mate 👍🇦🇺🇬🇧

[@heidigib01]

I love your rooster! He is very similar to mine. Always watching out for the ladies.

[@GlynisDance]

Thanks very much - we're going to try this for our sons chickens, ducks and quails (a bit smaller one for them). And it's so easy he can help! Great :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Glynis Giddings Thank you Glynis! I hope you guys enjoy making it and also that it works as good for you as it does for me. I need to make two more because they were flattened by a big tree which crashed through our pen during a storm last week... No animals were hurt only chicken feeders - Happy days LOL Cheers :)

[@GlynisDance]

Oh dear! Glad no-one was hurt by the tree. At least you're an expert chicken feeder maker!

[@Selfsufficientme]

LOL Expert? I wish... :)

[@GlynisDance]

:D

[@brotherspeed4962]

Thanks I'm doing this right now. I made the other no waste chicken feeders but do not work because they are picky and throw it all over the ground. I will keep you posted

[@Pepper5655]

thnx for the idea, I made a feeder 2 yrs ago and the bottom had ruster out of it now, so I'm on the hunt for a new style with less mess. I appreciate your sharing.

[@Selfsufficientme]

No worries! It's cheap and easy to do and I'm finding it's working quite well with my fermented or wet feed also - there's no way I could use one of my commercial gravity feeders for that purpose because it would clog straight up. Thanks :)

[@Pepper5655]

I made mine today, bought a 13 gal kitchen trashcan and 3- 3" 90s It will hold an entire bag of feed. I am so proud of it. Such a simple thing to do, and I like that it will hold an entire bag too.

[@Selfsufficientme]

***** that's excellent news! I'm very happy you let me know about your build and how it holds a full bag... wow! I hope it works great for many years. Thanks & Cheers :)

[@Pepper5655]

I saw one of the hens eating from it today. I was so proud. Poured an entire 50# bag of lay crumble in it. So proud.

[@Selfsufficientme]

***** That's great to hear and I hope you get many good years use out of it! My two commercial PVC feeders and one treadle are now just expensive cobweb collectors LOL :)

[@kimbozarth2591]

I just built mine today. The girls took to it immediately and I"m excited that it seems to keep them from wasting feed. I noticed a few of them hopping inside but they don't stay in there long. They are young....maybe they won't fit in there later?

[@wazowski6709]

Love your videos mate, the content is always on point, awesome! Always thought you looked like a top bloke, then I saw your polo top & realised you're a bloody legend!! 👍

[@davidmount5190]

I've been searching for an alternative to the less than stellar feeders on the market. Looks like I've found it. Thanks for the great idea

[@Selfsufficientme]

David Mount Hi David, well I hope it works as good for you as it does for me! Also, there's probably several other ways to improve on this design but at its basic form it's cheap and easy to do. Thanks mate :)

[@rmason5477]

Fantastic as poultry always scatch, what comes naturally

[@marisahutchison8515]

Greetings Mark, the No Mess feeder bin is brilliant! Really love the idea, the price and the ease of filling and keeping dry. I could see a large piece of wood as a over hang roof to keep the rain away. I love using things for which they were not intended. Your California US friend, Marisa

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Marisa and thank you! Yes, I'm always keen to recycle something I have rather than buy new if I can (God knows I've got so MUCH junk collected in my shed) ha ha... I agree a large piece of wood is a perfect lid/raincover for a feeder like this. Great to hear from you, cheers, Mark :)

[@marisahutchison8515]

One mans junk is another mans treasure....I have lots of treasure too!

[@swissmaid]

Great idea! Will adopt. What about the wildbirds do they get in? I would also love to see a lid out of perspects, see through, to get more light in there.

[@Selfsufficientme]

If you have made a feeder based on my design and have uploaded a video let me know so I can share it on my blog www.selfsufficientme.com/poultry/chickens/how-to-make-a-free-chicken-or-duck-poultry-feeder-diy

[@traryvery8851]

The local native pigeons have discovered the feeder and I want to minimise wild birds mixing with my small flock to minimise the possible introduction of lice and mites etc. Just wondered if you have done any experimenting with the bucket feeder to stop wild birds from feeding? I might try modifying the hole size. Treadle feeders don’t seem to be perfect either and are much more expensive $100 -$200! Or ids there a perfect one out there? I have not had any feed scratched onto on the ground using the bucket feeder so I am happy about that. Maybe in the longer term completely fencing in their run is the only option?

[@krystleamber8180]

I am having the exact same problem. Thinking we might have to make the holes smaller.... I don’t know it’s honestly getting so bad there are doves literally everywhere going inside the container and eating so much feed. My hens are getting stressed!! Does anyone have any advice? please let me know!!

[@traryvery8851]

@@krystleamber8180 I suspect that a smaller hole might help but you might just swap your doves for sparrows or other small birds. In the end I bit the bullet and purchased a wild bird and rat proof Grandpa Feeder because I wanted to deter rats as well. Company is based in New Zealand and the feeder seems indestructible. I don’t think it is worth getting a knock off because it is the sturdy nature of the original that makes it work so well. Worth saving up for. You do have to train your hens to use it but ours caught on quickly. They have some vids on their website so you can check it out if you want to. You might want to try a hanging feeder with a toggle that the hens peck to release bits of feed. I think this works best if you just want to use pellets. With mixed grain or grain and pellets the hens will likely keep pecking until they get the bits they want, leaving the rest for the wild birds to pick up. Lots of videos about this eg good life permaculture. I would be interested to hear how happy people have been with this type of feeder. Certainly another cheap one to make. There are lots of feeders with variously shaped tubes for the hens to put their heads into. They may flummox a dove but definitely not a rat. I do still use my Mark feeder as an extra feeder in another part of my hens run but only when I am working in the garden and my presence keeps other birds away. Good luck!

[@krystleamber8180]

@Trary Very hello, We ended up buying the grandpas feeder. On the second level and chooks are getting use to it, really happy with it so far. Can’t wait till it’s not on any of the training levels. Doves have already dwindled in number due to being confused with the lack of available feed. Thank you so much I really appreciate your helpful reply. Take care

[@traryvery8851]

@@krystleamber8180 Thanks for your comment. So glad that it is working for you. Our chooks love it. Take care :)

[@cynthiaaragon2938]

I want to thank you for this video. I will try to make one before i leave on vacation you have been very helpful.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Cynthia Aragon Thank you Cynthia for taking the time to comment - all the best with your feeder build and have a great vacation! Cheers :)

[@kimmcpherson8856]

Thanks for sharing your chicken feeder design. I am currently using a feed-o-matic and have seen your review on that, I agree with feed wastage and this attracks wild birds and I'm having issues with the feed getting stuck like the pellets and they won't fall down. so I seen your DIY feeder here and am thinking that I will give this a whirl. Just wondering if you have wild bird issues with your DIY feeder? if you do, have you thought of putting a treddle on this feeder to keep pests out? thanks for your time.

[@Tyreece.123]

Hi Mark really appreciate you sharing thankyou, can you use this feeder as a waterer aswell?

[@Selfsufficientme]

tyreecestylz Hi and thank you! Yes, used as a drinker would probably be fine also. Chickens do like to drink out of a large container or a water source - I notice my hens prefer drinking out of our large duck buckets and pond rather than their own cups or tap nipples maybe because they can get a good scoop with their beaks... not sure. To be honest though, cup drinkers are probably better than a larger container if you only have a small flock as a large container of water would tend to sit around and possibly attract mosquitos unless it is emptied and refilled regularly in which case it would be perfect! Cheers :)

[@kirstendunlop1490]

Hi Mark, I’ve been looking for something that works with both our hens and ducks and this looks great! Do you still use yours?

[@como006]

Nice Mark, simplicity at it's best. Guess you don't use it for pellets?

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Greg, no I don't use pellets but the feeder should work fine for pellets or any chicken feed really. I just don't use pellets because my chickens hate it :) The feed we generally use is a mixture of full grains and a mash. Because we have ducks, sometimes I'll buy a bag of duck mash (very similar to chicken mash but slightly finer and higher in protein) then usually mix it in with the chicken feed - keeps everyone happy. Cheers :)

[@RR-vg5hg]

You sir are a genius!

[@paranormalspecialist]

Wow, I am going to make one of these for my 3 chookies coming soon. Thank you. I have bin ( excuse the pun) confused about how many different types there are available. Thanks, Mark :) :)

[@Spiers843]

Hi Mark, Great videos!!!!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I hope you will continue making them, and will keep you in my prayers. Best wishes to you and your family. greetings from Trinidad and Tobago.

[@lyntaylor4131]

Brilliant, thank you!! Thus video has come at exactly the right time. I've been researching feeders. I also saw one of your later videos where you mentioned the one the chooks stand on. I wonder winch one you still prefer Mark. Thanks for sharing all your lovely videos ❤️

[@AllotmentGrowHow]

Cracking video Mark, get that idea and design patented now.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Ha ha, thanks Adam but I doubt I'm the first person to think of a hole in a bin for a chook feeder. Still, I'm pretty happy with how they are going! I've made three now the one large and 2 x buckets and probably will make another large bin feeder to give the chickens and ducks plenty of room for a feed. Cheers :)

[@shelleysansom8584]

What a great idea Mark. I have an expensive treadle feeder and no they don't work. I can't wait to make a couple of these feeders. Once again another brilliant idea thanks 😀

[@Selfsufficientme]

I have the same Shelley and our treadle feeder is just rusting away now... I'm still very happy with this design and I hope you will be also. Cheers :)

[@shelleysansom8584]

Hubby made the first feeder today. I will let you know how it goes 😀

[@palehorse1021]

How do you keep them from laying inside or pooping in it? That's a big hole for them to get in

[@normaweir8988]

Thank you so much for the idea. I have been looking for months for a really good idea.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Norma Weir Thanks Norma! Comments like yours are very helpful, cheers :)

[@janjax45]

This is just what I need, Super . Thank you.

[@brettm.s.1169]

Onya Mike, another golden idea, thanks.

[@jeffmaggie]

If you put some PVC elbows in it and then place the the in a box it's about 6 inches tall around it then when they spilled feed, it will land on the ground but it will be contained with in the box. Once in the box, it will not mix with the dirt because it's on a wooden floor. After a day scoop up the crumble it's on the box and put it back in the bin. I have a couple of videos that you can check out if you want to get some ideas. Thanks.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Jeff no worries! :)

[@RENETTE2525]

That's brilliant. I'm going to try that.

[@stevenbates7790]

Mark, have you tried fermented feed? You'll use a lot let of it, and supply a healthier diet at the same time.

[@cindypouland4122]

Mark Thank you for this great chicken feeder bin to elemate the mess and spill on the ground and losing cost. I search for all kinds of ideals and I love yours the BEST. Especially very cheap to make. I go to Burger King and get FREE their 5 gallon buckets from pickles. My question: where do you buy the bin you shown on your video? It seems to be a little bigger than the 5 gallon buckets. And how much does the bin cost? Cindy from Texas Thanks I am so happy for this GREAT IDEAL! I started my first time ever Sept 2014 raising 12 hens and one rooster. I am 60 Years of Age and it's never to old for anybody to start. I love my chickens and I made my wood shed into a coop!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Cindy, firstly congratulations for starting keeping chickens that's a great story! Yes, the feeder I showed how to make was only a 4 gallon white bucket and 4 or 5 gallon buckets work really well. My prototype and the large bin feeder was made from a large plastic rubbish bin and they cost about $15 to $25 depending on where you get it from. May I suggest, since you can get the 5 gallon buckets for free, perhaps make two or three feeders and place them at different spots around the pen, this way all the chickens will have easy access and there won't be any fighting. Thanks for your kind words and best of luck with your feeder build and chickens! Cheers :)

[@cindypouland4122]

Self Sufficient Me Hi Mark! Thank You So Very Much for your response. Yes, I had in mind to make me 2 five gallon buckets but I am going to make at least FOUR so if I am gone for a few days or so I will also have enough feed plus so the chickens will not fight like you said. I watch your video over & over. I just love this system. So Thankful for you kind enough to share with other people like me. Tell people for me they can also get free buckets at grocery stores that do cake decorating with icing. They are FREE along with other Fast Food Services like Burger King or McDonald's. Pass this own please! I want to help people too! I can't wait to make my buckets like yours. Please send me your cell Number and I will be happy to text you my pictures of my Wood Shed Chicken Coop along with my precious Chickens along with Rusty my Rooster! I am so happy enjoying this and get the best eggs possible! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Cindy from Texas

[@cindypouland4122]

Cindy Pouland Where do you buy the irrigation piping used for washing machines to get rid of bad water at what kind of hardware store? I tried Lowes and Home Depot. NO LUCK Finding the black plastic/rubber flexible hose. Still trying to locate some. I need more information where to buy this please. What size in diameter perhaps 1 inch? Looking forward for your answer! THANKS A MILLION!! Cindy from USA (Texas)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Cindy Pouland Yes you can use standard irrigation piping if you can't find the ribbed stuff 1 inch size should do the trick nicely! Even try some old hose etc first and see if that works?

[@henhero]

Good job! I really like your sistem becouse it's easy and cheep to make it. My chicken feeder is also really easy to make it but I think you won. I've been all around the web searching the best sistem and I have found it! Best regards :)

[@henhero]

The only problem her is the big hole becouse wild birds can take food.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Anže Rogelja Thanks! Yeah, the reason the holes on the large bin were so big is because I kept modifying and bringing the height down - I have since closed the holes up slightly. However, if the holes are too small the chickens won't be able to reach in far enough so I think 6 inches wide and high is a good size. Your are right, wild birds can still get to the feeder and I intend to enclose my pen fully with a mesh roof to stop this happening. Cheers :)

[@henhero]

Self Sufficient Me Do they eat all the corn first? Do you put more corn after or do you wait till they eat the rest?

[@Selfsufficientme]

I always make my birds eat the rest of the feed before refilling otherwise they will just eat their favourites - once they eat all their favs they start eating the other grains.

[@paulobrien8600]

Hello from Ireland , i Just found this Video after watching a load of different ones on feeders, im so happy i came across this one as it cuts out me making the same mistakes on the other designs. Your roosters are fabulous..are they copper marans ??

[@myk9rox]

Hi. The feeder looks amazing. Do you really have no rat issues? I'd be worried that they'd jump in

[@nickhead9512]

you missed one thing, that i figured out with the vertical pvc feeders. you need an extra reducer plate in the front. there is no mess on the ground this way. message me if you want instructions. my version keeps the rain, birds and scratch out of the seed.:D

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

I've been looking into the PVC elbows design, which is basically like yours except the elbow gives the chickens a little roof over their head so you can fill the rest of the bucket up, so you wouldn't need to refill as often. Have you tried that design? I have no idea because I don't have chickens yet. I'm trying to figure out what I should do. What are you thoughts on that?

[@judyhowell7075]

Homebirth Homeschool Homestead mine will pick through them and spill on the ground

[@rexsmith5984]

Simple. Love it gonna build a couple sick of feed being all over the floor

[@riawaikerepuru2239]

Any suggestions on how to stop the little wild birdies ....

[@artrave6672]

love it! do you use these for grit and oyster shell too?

[@Selfsufficientme]

Art Rave Yes, and also fermented feed because the feeders don't clog wet feed can be used etc - it's not the prettiest feeder LOL but it does work well! Thanks :)

[@theswediblegarden]

Very clever and economical idea, thank you for posting!

[@Selfsufficientme]

+theswediblegarden Hi there and thank you!

[@JOECorsoNova]

loved hearing the quail in the background!! nice video!

[@SusanRogersMakingItWork4Me]

Simple, cheap and effective. I like that!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Susan! Yes me too - the cheaper the better (as long as it works), cheers :)

[@Allottedaaron]

great design mate. That looks like a great feeder. Many thanks.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Aaron and thank you mate! :)

[@Mara-tv2qc]

Thank u! I had spent time watching so many videos and was satisfied with your video so easy and simple thank u thank u!!

[@TheMetalUnderground]

Im making one. So rad!!! GREAT IDEA GUY!!!! AWESOME!!!!

[@GardeningWithPuppies]

That is a real nice design you came up with there, Mark. I'm trying to think of how to be able to supply my flock, when I get one, with enough food & water to last for a couple of weeks when I go off on vacation. Any suggestions?

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Paula, it works and it's a low cost way to make a bulk feeder which won't clog and that's an important point if you are going away to insure any bulk feeder you do use isn't prone to clogging. Chickens eat an average of 400 grams (just under 2 x cups) of feed per day so I make sure I have enough feed available for the amount of birds I have for the days I'm away. I'll have several bulk feeders (or as many as required) to ensure I have enough feed plus extra. Water is a little easier to manage and I find a few 5 gallon containers with lubing cups or drinker nipples installed along a line or manifold will generally last a dozen or so chickens several weeks. I hope that helps! :)

[@GardeningWithPuppies]

I am surprised to hear that a chicken eats 2 cups of feed a day. When we had our chickens, they were free range so I didn't have to worry about feeding them. Thanks for the info and suggestions. BTW, that red rooster of yours is an outstanding looking boy.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Gardening With Puppies yeah they may eat less when free ranging. He's a good rooster - pretty friendly, cheers :)

[@henhero]

Gardening With Puppies Hello, I advice you that you ask neighbour to go check your feeder every couple of days becouse you never know.

[@cindypouland4122]

make you quite a few extra buckets sitting around so when you go off a long period of time it will be there for you and you will not run out of feed for your chickens. Cindy from Texas

[@saminairfan45]

I just got chickens and ordered two on Amazon so still not happy but this seems to be the solution. I have the same issue with the waterer so if you have solution on what works for you I would really appreciate it Mark 😍❤️ USA

[@tonymatthews445]

Great idea, fab vid and love the rain

[@karencoman6544]

Mark, I love this feeder and I'm using it, but what kind of rooster is that in the video. He is beautiful.

[@Selfsufficientme]

+Karen Coman Hi Karen, unfortunately we lost our beautiful rooster a few months back due to illness (and he was getting a little old) but he was a cross bred one of our own. His dad had Australorp in him and we think mum was one of our Welsummers. He was a very kind and clever rooster - easy to handle plus good with the kids. Oh well... He has left us some good layers although his offspring roosters never looked like him. Cheers :)

[@karencoman6544]

Thanks Mark. He looked like something special. Sorry for your loss.

[@cindypouland4122]

Hello Mark My 5 gallon bucket is great but I only am able to measure 4" from the base of the botom of my bucket to put my pattern of a 6" by 6" square curved at the bottom. My 5 gallon bucket is not talled enough to use the whole 6" measurement from the bottom. 3" from the top is the thickness where it has a rounded side sticken out a little. All I have is 10 1/2 inches from the bottom plus 3" more to the rounded ring thickness. I may have to use a tool and cut into the thicker thickness to get the full used measurements to create the 6" on the bottom base. If I don't I will only get 4" from base. When you measure the 6" by 6" square, do you then make the curve pass the full 6" measurement because mine I made the curve not passing the full 6" measurement. I used a kitchen bowl to make my curve. The center still is 6" but my both sides ended up being 4 1/2" then it starts to curve. Hope you can understand my problem. I will use this ideal just experimenting with my free 5 gallon bucket size. Thanks Cindy - Texas again

[@cindypouland4122]

My bucket is 14 inches tall from top to bottom although it is a 5 gallon bucket. The first 3 inches from the top is very thick. I have 10 1/2 inches to work from the bottom not interfering with the 3 inches more to the top being heavier thickness. Just to let you know more info. Cindy again from Texas Thanks Still figuring out what to do!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Cindy, probably the most important part is the height of the lip from the base but it's not an exact science so don't worry about being too precise. Try to make the height no lower than 5 or 6 inches otherwise the feed holding capacity is greatly reduced. However, the window/hole size can be smaller than 6 x 6... Perhaps make it 6" wide and only 4 or 5 inches high (or as high as you can make it). The smaller window overall shouldn't be a problem for the smaller bucket because it's not too far to reach the centre for the hen so it should work. Cheers :)

[@cindypouland4122]

Self Sufficient Me Thank You So Very Much Helping Me Out With All My Questions! You are an awesome person responding. So amazing to find people like you who CARE. THANKS A MILLION. Question Again: My chickens are eight months old now and I had them for 4 months now. They will not let me pet them or even rub their backs. I feed them extra stuff. Rusty the Rooster once in awhile attacks me by pecking me I guess for their protection. How can I get them to let me pet them? I can always walk in their run and walk around as long as I don't bother them. Any solutions? I have 12 hens half New Hampshire and half Road Island Red's plus one Rooster named Rusty. They are beautiful! I am learning and enjoying them! Also I learned give them oyster shells and grits for digestion their food and the shells for hardening their eggs but 1 HEN has a very swollen big ball hanging out past her neck. Is it because the food not digesting and will it later on die if I don't do something about the situation? I am concerned and worried. I need some advice. Thank You Again. Cindy from Texas

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Cindy, no problem at all thankfully there are many people still around and online who do help each other out. To get tame chickens you really need to raise them from chicks and spend a lot of time handling them otherwise it's completely normal chicken behaviour to be wary of you although they will eat out of your hand and come close if you persevere and train them. As for the lump in the neck, I'm not quite sure about that it may be some type of growth and it's probably best to seek vet advice for this because it certainly isn't normal. Take care, cheers :)

[@abdulazizalazzawi8480]

just made one and it works! thank you

[@ready4helps794]

Thanks I made your smaller one and it works soo well and it holds A lot

[@ladybug6184]

Thankyou from across the ditch 😁

[@patriciamoran1278]

my pot bellied pigs free range with my chickens. no waste but I love your idea.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Pigs and chickens both free-ranging sounds wonderful! Thank you :)