Easy to Build PVC Chicken Feeder

This Instructable will explain how to build a durable, inexpensive chicken feeder from PVC pipe and a 5 gallon bucket. You can use this feeder from chicks to full size birds. The vertical feeder keeps cleaner and has a greater capacity than the horizontal feeders. I have used this style for years and it works well for me.

30 inch length of 6 inch PVC Pipe

Plastic 5 gallon bucket

Saber saw

Electric drill, bits and step drill bit

Heat Gun

Sheet Metal Pliars

Marker

Ruler

Square

Small nuts and bolts (10-32 x 1/2" is what I used)

10 inches of small chain

2- 1/4" bolts 1 inch long with washers

Mark the length you want to cut the tube. In my feeder, I made it 30" long. I wrapped a piece of paper around the tube, taped it in place and used it as a guide to draw a straight line around the tube. After the line is drawn, use a saw to cut the tube. I have pretty god luck using a hand saw or saber saw.

Four slots are cut in the bottom of the tube. On the paper you used to make the line around the circumference of, mark 4 equally spaced 1" tabs on the tube. (Fig#1) Then slide the paper up 1 3/4" and make a mark around the tube. (Fig#2) Use a square to extend the marks up to the line you just drew. (Fig#3 and 4) I wanted to have rounded corners. I made a mark 3/8 of an inch away from where the lines intersect (Fig#5) Drill a 3/4 hole with a step drill (8 total) in the tube. (Fig#6 and 7)

Cut out the slots you just marked. You should end up with 4 equally spaced tabs. Make a line 1/2 inch up from the bottom of each tab.

Clamp a pair of sheet metal pliers on the line you marked on the tabs. Heat up the area with a heat gun until the material gets soft. Bend at 90 degrees Wait a few minutes for it to cool and the plastic gets rigid again.

Mark the center of the tabs you just bent. Drill a 3/16 hole in each tab.

Mark a line around the circumference 1 3/4" up from the bottom of the bucket. I use a hand saw to cut along the line. You will end up with a shallow plastic tray.

Center the tube on the tray. Use the marker to mark the hole location on the tray you just made. Drill a 3/16 hole at the marked locations. Use the 10/32 bolts and nuts to fasten the tray to the feeder tube.

At the top of the tube, drill 1/4" holes directly across from each other about 1/2" from the top. Secure each end of a light weight chain at each bolt. You can use this to hang the feeder as the chickens grow.

The feeder is now complete! When the chicks are small, the feeder can sit on the floor. As they grow, hang the feeder from the coop ceiling, and adjust the height. Good luck!