HANG YOUR CHICKEN FEED

(Page 2 of 2)

January/February 1983
By the Mother Earth News editors 
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Next, choosing a point in the middle of that wooden crossmember, drill a hole large enough to accommodate a 1/4" or 5/16" bolt . . . insert the (3"-long) threaded fastener so that it extends outward through the bottom . . . and fasten it in place with a washer and nut. Then slip on another nut and washer — in that order — about halfway up the bolt.

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With that done, take the metal pan and — using a rubber mallet or, if you're careful not to pound too hard, a regular hammer — indent the bottom upward so that the pan's middle is nearly as high as its outer lip . . . forming a circular trough around the periphery (this will insure an even flow of feed from the hopper). Now, drill a hole in the center of the pan, and slip the trough onto the 3" bolt (top side facing the bucket, of course).

The feeder will have to support a fair amount of mash (a five-gallon pail holds about 25 pounds of grain) . . . so it's a good idea to install a large (4" or so) metal disk — rather than an ordinary washer — beneath the pan. You can use almost any round, flat scavenged object for this purpose (an old paint can lid, for example, works well). Whatever you choose, drill a hole in its center . . . insert the bolt . . . and fasten the assembly in place with a wing nut. Now, attach a length of rope or clothesline to the pail's handle . . . and — presto — you're done.

To regulate the flow of feed, simply adjust the nuts above and below the pan . . . the closer the trough is to the bottom of the pail, the slower the flow will be. In any case, though, be sure that the two nuts clamp the pan very tightly . . . otherwise, it'll list to one side and cause an uneven distribution of grain.

Just hang your feeder at an appropriate height (one rule of thumb is to keep the outer lip at the level of your birds' backs) . . . and let your chickens dine to their hearts' delight. They'll enjoy having a ready supply of mash available, and I think you'll like the way your hanging feeder prevents waste ... and improves your birds' mealtime politesse!

EDITOR'S NOTE: You'll find yet another nifty idea for making a feeder from a five-gallon plastic bucket on page 110 of MOTHER NO. 50. For information on ordering back issues, see page 180.

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  • Rosewood513 5/22/2009 1:46:37 PM

    Nice feeder, i purchased a large dog feeder at a flea market for 2 bucks, it was almost new,holds about 20 lbs. probably more. I slide it under the coop, I lifted the coop off the ground a few feet so they (and their food)could stay dry in bad weather, it fits just right and they can't stand on top and poo in their food, that is working great for about 3 years. I also have a small feeder installed in their door in case it snows so bad they can't get to the feeder.

  • Tony 12/15/2007 11:37:59 PM

    Hi Ray, My name is Tony I live in a Rural town within NSW,
    Australia, and was inspired by your hanging chicken feeder. I used
    a bucket as you said, cut the hole as you said, I used a Tomato
    stake cut down as my brace, the bottom i used a plastic pot plant
    base, and in the middle I cut the neck of a plastic drink bottle to
    the height of the base lid. this helps the feed to slide to the
    outside. Great mate hope that makes sense? The Girls love it
    Regards, Tony Dowling

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