Automatic chicken feeder: how to do it yourself, options with a timer

In order for the productivity of birds to be maximum, they need to be provided with quality care. An automatic modern feeder for chickens allows you to arrange for them to receive food without the presence of a person. As the previous portion is eaten, the missing part of the feed is filled up. It is enough to fill these feeders in time and the birds will always be well fed.

Why do we need and how do automatic feeders work?

With the help of automatic feeders, birds get new food automatically as they eat the old one.Using store-bought ones that work with a timer allows you to add food at predetermined times, preventing birds from overeating or scattering leftover food.

Overview of industrial models

On sale there are not only the simplest bunker feeders, but also those that are equipped with a timer and a function that allows you to scatter feed. The price of the first ranges from 500 to 1500 rubles. The cost of more advanced models can be six times higher.

Expensive designs usually provide a tank capacity of up to 20 liters. It can be made of special plastic or metal. The amount of feed provided at one time can be programmed on some models.

Expensive devices pay for themselves when bought for a large poultry farm.

Do-it-yourself bunker feeders

They are considered the least labor intensive to make.

From a plastic bucket

To create a design you will need:

1. A bucket made of plastic. Usually they take one that has a suitable volume - usually from five to ten liters. You need a lid that can be closed tightly.
2. Food tray that can use dividers. Usually it is a flat pallet, divided into several sectors. This item is available for sale in specialized retail outlets. For this purpose, a tray or a small basin is suitable. It should protrude 20-30 centimeters beyond the bucket.
3. A tool that can be used to make holes in a plastic bucket.
4. Different types of fasteners that will be used to attach the bucket and tray.

Production procedure:

1. Cut small holes (4-5 centimeters in diameter) in the side of the bucket near the bottom. They are located at an equal distance from each other. If a tray with separators is used for the feeder, then their number must match the number of holes.
2. The tray is connected to the bottom of the bucket using fasteners.

You need to pour food inside and close the bucket tightly with a lid. This design is convenient to use inside the poultry house, but not profitable in the yard, where the feed can get wet if it rains.

The holes must be sanded with sandpaper so that the birds cannot get hurt on them.

If there is not much food left in the bucket, it will not be poured to the birds. To correct this, it is recommended to place the cone so that the feed rolls towards the edges.

From plastic bottles

You will need to prepare the following:

1. Two bottles made of plastic, the volume should be 1.5-2 liters. It is important that the top of one of them passes into the bottom of the other.
2. Food tray. In this capacity, you can use a bowl or something similar. It is important that the edges are not too high, otherwise the chicks will not be able to get food.
3. Tool for working with plastic.

Step by step instructions for creating a feeder:

1. Cut off the bottom and top of one bottle (largest) and the top cone of the second.
2. In the side part, round holes are cut out at the bottom. Their diameter should be equal to two centimeters.
3. Attach the cut-out bottle to the tray.
4. At a small bottle, close the top with a lid and put it inside the tank.

The inner cone is needed to feed the feed to the holes.

From wood or plywood

Using wooden feeders is more aesthetic than plastic ones. Although it is not critical for raising chickens, their appearance is an argument in their favor. Their important difference is the ability to design a structure for the desired amount of feed.

In order to do the job, you need to prepare the following:

1. Plywood or boards in the required quantity.
2. You will need a drill and drill bits of the correct diameter.
3. To fasten wooden parts, you need to prepare screwdrivers and self-tapping screws.
4. Saw.
5. Surface cleaning paper.
6. For marking, you need to take a marker or pencil.
7. A ruler or tape measure for taking measurements.

Without pedal

Before starting work, you need to draw a drawing on a piece of paper indicating all the necessary dimensions.

The manufacturing procedure consists of the following parts:

1. Before you cut out wooden parts, you need to create the appropriate patterns. To do this, draw on paper all the parts in full size. Then they are cut out.
2. In accordance with the prepared patterns, cut out wooden parts.
3. In places where it will be necessary to make fasteners, drill holes for self-tapping screws.
4. All wooden parts are processed with sandpaper. This is important to prevent the birds from getting hurt.
5. It is necessary to assemble the wooden parts and fasten them with self-tapping screws.
6. The top cover is hinged to the feeder.

It is necessary to treat the structure with an antiseptic. Varnishes and paints are not recommended due to the fact that this can adversely affect the he alth of chickens.

With pedal

When making a wooden feeder with a pedal, in addition to the above materials, you will need plywood or a board for making a pedal, as well as thin wooden bars to create an opening mechanism.

Manufacturing is the same as described for a feeder without a pedal, but in addition you will need to make a mechanism to open the lid.

To install the pedal, you will need two pieces of wood of the same length. They are attached with screws to the sides of the feeder so that they can easily rotate in a vertical plane.

They should protrude from the side where the bird will peck at the food, here a pedal is attached to them. When the bird approaches the feed, it presses on the wooden pedal, and the far ends of the bars rise slightly.

You will need two more pieces of timber to support the lid. They are attached with screws on both sides of the feeder. A lid is mounted on the part protruding in front so that in the lower position it closes the feed hole.

On each side, the ends of the upper and lower beams are connected so that when the pedal is lowered, the lid rises and after the end of feeding, under the action of gravity, it falls and closes the hole.

From pipes

Experienced poultry farmers find the use of tubes to feed birds much more convenient than other methods.

PVC pipe with tee

To create a structure, you need to prepare:

• you will need three pieces of PVC pipe, 110 mm wide. Their lengths should be 70, 20 and 10 cm;
• in order to close the pipe holes in two places, plugs are required;
• 45 degree tee;
• you will need fixing material to secure the pipe to the wall.

Getting started, do the following:

1. Connect a long piece of pipe and a tee.
2. A plug is attached to the opposite end.
3. A piece of pipe 10 centimeters long is attached to the side outlet of the plug.
4. The pipe is installed vertically and attached to the wall.

When used, feed is poured on top and closed with a plug to prevent precipitation from getting inside.

From pipes with elbows

Need to prepare to create a feeder:

1. A piece of PVC pipe with a diameter of 110 millimeters and a length of 1.5 meters.
2. Two knees: 90 and 45 degrees.
3. Brackets for wall attachment.
4. Pipe cap.

To make, do the following:

1. Attach a 45-degree elbow to the pipe, and onto it the one that is designed for 90 degrees.
2. Use the bracket to attach the pipe to the wall.

Food is poured into the pipe from above, then the hole is closed with a plug.

This design is considered one of the most practical.

How to use?

The automatic feeder is set in the right place, securely attached to the wall or other base and filled with the right amount of feed. Birds will feed until the food supply runs out. Therefore, you need to replenish them regularly.

These feeders allow you to dispense portions of feed and prevent birds from scattering it.

How to install?

You can install such a feeder in the house or in the fresh air. In the latter case, it is necessary that the feed be protected from precipitation.

Possible errors

Often unused food remains at the bottom of the feeder. It must be cleaned so that it does not start to deteriorate and harm the chickens.

Keep in mind that automatic feeders are designed to dispense dry food only.

The structure must be stable so that the birds cannot tip over the feeder.

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