How to Make an Automatic Chicken Feeder

Whether you own chickens for pets, eggs or meat, you'll have to feed them. Chickens eat a fair amount of grains and chicken feed, so if you have a large flock, you may want to have an automatic feeder.



Depending on the size of the feeder, chicken feeders can cost more than $20 each. You can easily make a chicken feeder for less that $10 with some basic tools and supplies.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Drill
  • 20-inch plastic planter base
  • Bolts and nuts
  • Wrench
  • Chicken feed
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the lid from the bucket and wash the bucket out thoroughly. Let dry.

    • 2

      Wash the planter base thoroughly and let dry.

    • 3

      Drill six, 1-inch holes along the side of the bucket at the bottom.

    • 4

      Drill holes large enough for the bolts in the bottom of the planter base and bucket so that they line up.

    • 5

      Turn the bucket upside down and place the base concave-side down on the bucket's bottom. Screw in the bolts and tighten the nuts on the inside of the bucket.

    • 6

      Turn the bucket and planter right-side up and fill it with chicken feed. The feed will automatically pour out of the holes and into the planter base. As the chickens eat the feed, gravity will cause more feed to automatically dispense.