Learn how to make a ceiling light fixture from recycled chicken feeders with this easy DIY project.
Even with minimal building capability, you can learn how to make light fixtures from old metal chicken feeders. The feeders may be hard to come by, but if you know someone that has been in the commercial chicken-raising business, then you can likely find some in their used feeder pile. That’s how I got some of mine.
This project is really quite simple. First, you will need to decide if you want a fixed light or a swag lamp. I made some of both. I ordered parts from a site I found by searching around on the Internet that supplied the lamp cords, sockets with rings, and rods. You can order any length rod depending on how low you want the light to hang.
Project Materials and Components
The parts I ordered to make the fixed light were a little less expensive than for the swag light. Here’s what you will need:
- Steel pipe, 1/8-inch threaded on both ends
- Keyless lamp holders (sockets)
- 2- locknuts
- 3-inch electrical box with cover per light fixture
- Spray paint
- Electric wire
I used steel pipe, 1/8-inch, threaded on both ends (this fits the socket thread size). I used some electric wire I had already, so you may have to figure in the cost of a few feet.
For the swag light, the cost of the cord with socket was more expensive and the chicken feeder was free.
How to Make a Ceiling Light Fixture
The two lights that were assembled consisted of a fixed feeder light and a swag feeder light.
Fixed Light
- I needed to sand the metal feeder tray and the wire cage. I did this with an electric drill and a wire brush attachment.
- Clean up the feeder up and spray-paint it a bright color.
- I wired the rod and light straight into a junction box with a cover (the cover needs to have a hole in it).
- Then paint the feeder portion a range of bright colors.
Swag Light
I also made a swag light that turned out to be the easiest.
- I simply ordered a colored cord with socket and ring together.
- Spray-paint the feeder a bright color.
- Attach the cord to the painted chicken feeder tray.
- Put in a light bulb and attached the wire cage (which is spring-loaded).
I did all the wiring of the electrical boxes myself for each feeder light. The fixed light turned out less expensive in the end than the swag light. Both light fixtures were installed into the main electrical lines by a licensed electrician.
All MOTHER EARTH NEWS community bloggers have agreed to follow our Blogging Best Practices, and they are responsible for the accuracy of their posts. To learn more about the author of this post, click on the byline link at the top of the page.
