Homemade "Automatic" Chicken Feeder

I saw this somewhere a few years ago and decided I would give it a try. The price of large chicken feeders are a bit pricey for me and since I like to recyle and reuse items this really appealed to me.

First you will need to purchase (or use one you have around your house) a five gallon plastic container with a lid. I purchased this five gallon plastic container from Firehouse Subs - a local restaurant - for $2.00.

The reason I didn't mind the purchase is because Firehouse Subs donates the money earned from the sale of these buckets to the local fire station to help benefit the families of fallen firefighters. I had my DH drill 2" holes around the bottom of the bucket trying to space about 2" apart very close to the bottom.

Next you will need to have a 16" round water tray used for potted plants. This one was on sale for $3.99. Drill a hole in the center of the water tray.

Next I attached the bottom to the bucket with a bolt with two washers. Make sure you put the bolt through the bottom and attached bolt on the inside so the bucket will sit flat.

Make sure you clean up all the loose plastic pieces after you assemble and before you add the feed.

Then fill with feed, set out bucket and watch the chickens enjoy their homemade "automatic" feeder. It cost only about $5.99 with $2.00 being donated to a worthy cause and the chickens do not notice it isn't a fancy store bought feeder. Not to mention keeping the used buckets out of the landfills. Win-win situation for everyone and everything.

That's all for today...come back soon.