How to Make a Chicken Feeder From PVC

Chicken feeders let you provide feed for the chickens so they can eat anytime they like. These feeders allow you set the feed and forget it for a few days. The feed is poured into the top of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes and gravity slowly pushes the food out and to the chickens. PVC chicken feeders can be made in two basic styles: the pillar and the L-shape. Each style is easy to assemble and install. The supplies needed to make these feeders can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Things You'll Need

  • PVC pipe, 6-inch diameter
  • PVC end cap, 6-inch diameter
  • Plastic flower pot drain tray
  • Tape measure or ruler
  • 4 Screws, 3-inch
  • Drill
  • Drill bit, 1 1/8 inch
  • PVC glue
  • 2 PVC pipes, 4-inch diameter, 4-foot long
  • PVC elbow, 4-inch diameter
  • 2 PVC end caps, 4-inch diameter
  • Hack saw
  • 3 Self-tapping screws
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Instructions

  1. Pillar Feeder

    • 1

      Cut the 6-inch diameter PVC pipe to the desired height. The most common height is between 3 and 4 feet tall. This is the shaft that will hold the feed.

    • 2

      Stand the pipe vertically and measure 1 inch from the bottom and drill 1 1/8-inch holes around the base. The holes are drilled 2 to 3 inches apart.

    • 3

      Place the flower pot drain tray on the ground and center the pipe vertically in the middle of the tray.

    • 4

      Screw the sides of tray and pipe together to hold the pipe upright. Space the screws evenly around the tray. Place the 6-inch PVC end cap on the top of the pipe to keep the feed dry.

    L-Shaped Feeder

    • 5

      Apply glue to the inside edges of the 4-inch diameter PVC elbow and slide the 4-foot pipes into the open ports on the elbow. Position the pipes so that one is vertical and one is horizontal. Place glue around the outside edge of the open end of the horizontal pipe. Slide a 4-inch diameter end cap over the end.

    • 6

      Measure the horizontal pipe and mark 1 inch from the elbow and end cap and 2 inches from the top of the pipe. Use the marks as guidelines. Use a hack saw to cut a square out of the top of the pipe so the chickens can feed. Two inches of pipe should be left on the bottom to hold the feed.

    • 7

      Attach the feeder to the side of the coop with self-tapping screws. Place the other end cap on top of the vertical pipe to keep the food safe and dry.