How to Make a Container for Keeping Chicken Feed

Contrary to the old adage, chicken feed is not cheap. So watching a flock of chickens happily scooping food from the feeder and spreading it all over the floor of their coop can be disconcerting. Adding to that is the fact that chickens love to perch on the feeder, which leads to feed contaminated with their droppings. This contamination can ultimately lead to health concerns. There are a number of commercially available feeders designed to prevent this behavior, but none are cheap. It is possible to make a contamination-proof feeder from items you may already have on hand.

Things You'll Need

  • Large bucket with tight-fitting lid and handle
  • Drill
  • Spade bit or small hole saw
  • Small drill bit
  • Plastic planter base
  • Small nut, bolt and two fender washers
  • Rope or chain
  • Nail or hook
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Instructions

    • 1
      Use a drill bit for making larger holes.

      Fit the spade bit or small hole saw into the drill.

    • 2

      Drill several evenly spaced holes around the base of the bucket approximately 1 inch up from the bottom of the bucket. The holes should be large enough for the chicken feed to flow through easily.

    • 3

      Remove the spade bit or hole saw from the drill. Replace it with a drill bit slightly larger in diameter than the bolt.

    • 4

      Drill a hole in the center through the bottom of the bucket.

    • 5

      Drill a hole through the center of the planter base.

    • 6

      Feed one of the fender washers onto the bolt. Insert the bolt into the hole in the planter base.

    • 7

      Feed the bolt through the hole in the bucket bottom.

    • 8

      Place the second fender washer on the bolt and tighten with the nut.

    • 9

      Fill the feeder with feed.

    • 10

      Secure the lid onto the bucket.

    • 11

      Attach the rope or chain to the center of the bucket handle.

    • 12

      Suspend the filled feeder from a nail or hook in the coop. Adjust the height of the feeder so it is the same level as the backs of the chickens.