Homemade Feeders and Water Holders for Chickens

Choosing the right type of homemade chicken feeder depends in part of the number of chickens and the amount they should be eating. Food and water shouldn't be allowed to sit in a feeder for too long. For a few backyard chickens, the self-filling feeders sold for cats and dogs may work. Otherwise there are a number of simple feeders that can be made from materials commonly available at hardware stores.

  1. PVC Feeder

    • A chicken feeder can be made using PVC pipe and a drainage base (such as one from a flower pot). It is important to ensure that the PVC pipe fits into the base with a few inches on any side of the drain base so that the chickens can get to the feed. The feeder must be stable and should not tip over easily. The pipe is attached to the base with long screws. A hole is drilled in the sidewall of the pipe to allow food to pour out, and the food is added at the top of the pipe. If a six-inch pipe is used, a coffee can lid can be used as a cover to keep rain and insects out.

    Wood Feeder

    • A wood feeder can be built by making a rectangular box with a few modifications. The box will need a hinged lid so that food can be added to it easily. A small slit cut into the base at the front of the box is what allows the feed to pour out. A small trough attached at the front of the box holds the food and serves as a bowl. Inside the box, at the bottom, a small piece of wood should be attached, at an angle to allow the food to slide out more easily. The primary advantage of a wooden feeder is that it can be easily attached to a wall or other structure to provide added stability.

    Bucket Waterer

    • The simplest design for watering involves using a bucket. The easiest of these involves a five-gallon bucket and a plant drain base or other shallow container. Holes are drilled into the base of the bucket to allow the water to pass out into the bowl. Another hole is drilled into the bucket lid to allow air to pass through. Because of the weight of the water, it is generally not necessary to physically attach the base to the bucket. The water bucket may blow over in high winds if it is empty or close to empty, however water spillage isn't as much of a concern as food spillage.

    Nozzle Waterer

    • A second type of bucket watering system can be made by drilling a single hole into the sidewall of a bucket. Attach a PVC elbow pipe to the bucket, and attach a faucet dog waterer. The dog waterer needs a threaded pipe to attach to, so you may also need an adapter. Washers may also be needed to insure that water does not leak or drip from the hole. When the chickens push the nozzle, water drips slowly down the side. A hole in the bucket lid is necessary to ensure that the water flow is maintained. This system is best when space is more limited, or a smaller flow of water is desired. The components of this system are inexpensive, and the dog waterer can be purchased online or in pet stores.