The Solution to Keeping Chickens Fed Without Waste (or Feeding Mice and Birds)

We've finally found the solution to a simple cost-effective way to keep our chickens fed without wasting feed. This feeder also keeps mice and other birds from stealing expensive feed.
Grandpa's Automatic Chicken Feeder amzn.to/3MYdk5x
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[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Grandpa's Automatic Chicken Feeder amzn.to/3MYdk5x You may also want to check out TheProvidentPrepper.org to learn more about some of the fun things we do on our little homestead. How to Create a Survival Food Forest in Your Own Backyard theprovidentprepper.org/how-to-create-a-survival-food-forest-in-your-own-backyard/ Thanks for being part of the solution! Follow us! *Instagram - theprovidentprepper instagram.com/theprovidentprepper/ *Facebook - The Provident Prepper: Building Your Family Ark facebook.com/ProvidentPrepper *Pinterest - The Provident Prepper www.pinterest.com/TheProvidentPrepper/ TheProvidentPrepper.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

[@adiane-vd2kn]

We use a 5 gallon bucket and cut a hole out about halfway up the bucket. Then fill it with feed. I love it because there is little to no feed spillage on the ground and it holds a good amount, however the drawback is the birds!

[@kerryl4031]

A lady who has a YT channel cut a little hole in the bottom of a bucket and installed a lever of sorts, when food was in the bucket which was suspended, her birds pecked at the lever which allowed some food to drop down. They'd eat the food and pecked the lever if they wanted more. Liz Zorab, Byther Farm and titled "Making a Hanging Chicken Feeder" - food for thought maybe? She doesn't have chickens now, but keeps ducks so feeding methods likely changed.

[@clydesdalehomestead3807]

I saw that one, it looked interesting, but since I keep my chickens locked up at night and I want to keep their food outdoors, I didn’t want to create a traffic jam at the feeder.

[@OffgridVictory]

As former engineer myself 🤣, I think a soft close dampener would help with the noise and possible chickens getting caught🤓. Shalom👊🏼

[@swissmaid]

Totally agree, the soft close dampener is better.

[@barbarabeard6017]

Just ordered standard.for my 8 one year-old babies. Have procrastinated due to cost but I have probably between 50 and 100 birds that are winning the battle! Moved what I was using closer to the house so I could scatter the birds and now I have ants! Feed Bill up substantially. Can't wait until it arrives. Thank you for the review! ( I ferment also, which tbey eat first so no problem, birds just pick at tiny invisibles after chickens finish.) Have two wild doves but I don't mind if they are heavy enough.

[@nunyabznz3029]

You might research fermenting the feed to save also

[@terriej2246]

I bought a large Grandpa’s feeder after I had been looking at them for about a year. I guess my birds are dumb, though. 😂 They didn’t make the transition and so I backed it up to the second step. On Monday I’ll give it another try with them and take out the bolts.

[@OxAO]

did it work?

[@tincankiller6454]

Yes, those are nice feeders. Chickens will eat mice seen many of times they will corner one and it's a free for all on who gets it. Almost feel sad for the little critters "Almost" have seen them eat lizards, frogs, small snakes.

[@clydesdalehomestead3807]

Very timely video! Just last week I decided I wanted to figure out an outdoor weather proof feeder. I saw the treadle ones, but ultimately decided on a kit to convert a bucket or plastic tote into a feeder. I’m waiting for the parts to arrive and will do a video. My plan is to use a clear plastic tote so it’s easy to see the feed level. The feeder openings have a stopper that needs to be placed at night and then removed in the morning to prevent rodents eating the food at night. So, a little more work there.

[@debbiepaquin8842]

A clear tote will be fine for indoors, outdoors i don't think i would use plastic colored or not. It usually condensates

[@clydesdalehomestead3807]

@@debbiepaquin8842 I will definitely keep an eye out for condensation

[@debbiepaquin8842]

I've been looking at those feeders that they put their heads in to make one. Hanging feeders have gotten high and if i need to go somewhere like they said the rodents or chickens make a mess with them. Been wondering if the rodents will go in those holes in the tub type and take up residence? I had thought of doing one out of a galvanized trash can, they're almost as much as a 40lb Hanging feeder

[@rogerknight2267]

Well done. Works for those folks with larger flocks. I’m down to two birds with hopes of picking up four new girls in the very near future. I use a 5 gallon bucket with a 90 degree 3” pvc joint inserted into the side of the bucket. It’s cut up by design to allow the feed to flow to the opening. Anyhow. Thinking of adding your pvc feeder that is J shaped. For no more birds than I have, should be more feasible. Thanks so much for the reviews.

[@fabchook]

Bought this about 6 months ago. My chickens (now 8 months old) still freak out with this feeder and would rather starve then use it. I have tried several attempts to get them to use this feeder, as per instructions, with no luck. The lid could use a mechanism that lets the lid come down slowly so no as to make a loud banging noise. The lid coming down quickly and loudly really scares them. If you have any ideas on how to get them to use it would be appreciated.

[@1realtruthrightnow742]

same here

[@swissmaid]

Get the type that has a soft close dampener, much, much better.

[@kater.7563]

Thank you for sharing

[@jojozepofthejungle2655]

Chickens must first learn how to use these feeders. I bought a different brand and my chooks wouldn't go near it, but the pigeons learned to use it by four birds sit on the tredlet while two get in and feed, then they take turns doing this.

[@JayP-kd5rc]

This feeder is a great idea! Love it.

[@kimberlycornell6693]

That is on my chickens coop wish list!

[@mdillon334]

We have the same type of feeder in Aus. Although the feeding slot is lower to the ground. They work pretty well. The duck would find it difficult to use because he's got a longer body than the chickens. I feel like if the treadle step on them was longer then it would open sooner and then allow the duck to eat from it. He usually waits for a chicken to stand on it then eats 😅 We have a hanging plastic feeder aswell that the duck can easily eat from though.

[@philw7174]

Interesting. Looks like a good investment. Happy trails!

[@getitright5863]

I found I had more waste with crumbe then pellets. The feed should be the hight of the chickens back, helps alot. I have been eyeing those feeder too.

[@alejandrofalig7143]

That is a great idea. But, has it ever caught a lighter chicken's neck while it was eating and the heavier ones stepped off? Has it ever trapped a smaller chicken inside when the others stepped off?

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

We haven't had any issues at all.

[@GeorgiasGarden]

That was my question as well.

[@syrpentina]

If I were you I'd check the product details and see what the weight on the step is calibrated too. If you have any chickens that are lighter than a large rat (bantams or young chickens), I wouldn't recommend this... you Want any one of your chickens to be able to use this without another chicken's help❤

[@swissmaid]

500grams - not for baby chicks

[@SaraObrock79]

I noticed in the other video that you had very fine food. Have you tried feeding the pellets? They do waste more crumbles for sure. They will peck the pellets off the ground.

[@barbsdee3831]

I’ve just bought the standard size as I only have 3 buff Orpingtons. I’m on training week one and I’m hoping they don’t get scared with the noise of the thing closing like your other commenters have experienced

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Ours adapted nicely after a little while.

[@swissmaid]

Would glueing some foam rubber help with the noise factor? If not get the spoft close one.

[@RyanMercer]

🐔

[@Theoriginalurbanbuffalo]

I just bought one!! ❤

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

I hope you love it!

[@kimhoffman1071]

Ya my chickens spill so much tying to figure something else

[@MelanieAlicia]

I got guineafowl... no more mice seen 😂 but yeah... it's a real issue!!

[@brendablake584]

Do you have turkeys? Have they learned to use it as well?

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

We haven't tried it with turkeys.

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

Nooice! 😎 STOC

[@Khomesley28]

Mine still get feed everywhere- so much waste. I just watched this video trying to find another solution after buying Grandpas feeder and I’ve made the feeders with the spouts sold on Amazon and buckets- they don’t work either.

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

You don't like the grandpa feeders? They are so much better than anything else we've tried and it keeps mice and birds out. The one drawback is that young birds don't weigh enough to open it.

[@swissmaid]

I like the fact, that they can't eat from the side. Prevents beheading! And the wider foot shelf, they do not slip off. Well thought out product. For Aussies available for $94 with free shipping @ big W. Fantastic price ,

[@kenjones9169]

Do you mix your own chicken feed?

[@SureHowDoYouKnow]

No trouble getting the chicken caught in it?

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Nope.

[@janetbaker1945]

In the section of the video in the coop, the 'pedal' is clearly stuck--it has straw on it and was flat on the ground with no chicken standing on it. Not the solution.

[@syrpentina]

I'm pretty sure that was the locked open "training" position 😅

[@clydesdalehomestead3807]

Just finished my new feeder setup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKsn5ivZdWBjbM

[@patricksul71]

$230 feeder? Paid advertisement/COMMERCIAL

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Actually, we aren't affiliates for them. We just really like the feeder.

[@jamesdude4220]

i raise game chickens. 10yrs never seen a cage no feeders only give small amount of food. for eggs just listen they tell you when they laid eggs. chickens where not meant for cages. not natural

[@clydesdalehomestead3807]

True. They are prey for coyotes, bobcats, hawks, owls, raccoons, weasels, snakes, skunks, rats, dogs. I’ve lost chickens and/or eggs to all of them.

[@Mike-nv6zn]

I got them too..but I think our pigeons here in the UK are smart..they started opening them too.but not as much mess..I trying something different..

[@deejones6805]

We free range, but ferment feed to try and eliminate waste. They do jump into the feed pans, but once a week we don't put the pans down and they'll eat what was spilled out previously. During winter the feed is still outdoors, but under a cover to prevent too much liquid. That all to say, we have very few deep snow storms and the chickens go out year round, so things may differ depending on where you're at.

[@lostinvictory8526]

I bought a cheap version in Aus, the lid opens and shuts too suddenly and clangs loudly when it drops. The chickens have never been able to get used to it. It now sits there with a brick on it to keep it open. I think this is a much better design and might be worth the extra cost.

[@amberluttrelll8359]

What a neat idea

[@linsaficken9746]

Brilliant idea. I already shared this video to my husband giving him a hint about……..,

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

LOL!

[@marygallagher3428]

Looks like a great product!

[@appalachiannana7975]

OFF TOPIC.....BUT.... Hey y'all please listen up...I just had a 2 yr old Midea freezer go out lost a total of 1600 bucks. I have spent a week tri g to find someone to repair the freezer. No one will work on it!!! They say it will cost the price of a new freezer if it's compressor also the ability to get the parts is non existent!! They tell me that these appliances from this company are made to throw away not repair!!!! It's China owed and operated. I had no idea! My husband worked at Lowes and bought it. Now I'm stuck with the loss and a new purchase!!!!...PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!

[@lildoggy4u]

Great feeder although we have a chicken who has claimed this feeder and stands on the lid preventing others from utilizing it until she decides who is allowed to access it. She might end up as dinner.....

[@PB-vx6ci]

Very expensive feeder and still does nothing to stop chickens from scattering food everywhere.

[@supergoosewoolums6218]

I'm having the same problem The sparrows are cleaning me out

[@nicobass1966]

They are great feeders but you have put the bolt in the wrong way and there is a nut to use as well