DIY chicken feeders are a common homestead project, built from materials such as PVC pipe, food-grade buckets, scrap lumber, and galvanized tubing. These feeders reduce feed waste, protect grain from rain and rodents, and can be sized for flocks ranging from a few hens to several dozen birds.
Treadle feeders use a platform mechanism that opens the feed trough only when a bird steps onto the pedal. This design excludes wild birds, rodents, and larger livestock from the feed. A typical treadle feeder is built from plywood or exterior-grade OSB, with a hinged lid and a counterweight system that closes the access door when no bird is standing on the treadle. Plans from Instructables and other sources provide cut lists and assembly diagrams for treadle feeders holding 20 to 50 pounds of feed.
Vertical PVC pipe feeders use a section of 4-inch or 6-inch PVC pipe as the feed reservoir, with a T-fitting or cap at the bottom that allows grain to flow into a shallow tray. A cap on top keeps rain out. The height of the feeder determines how many birds can access it at once, and drainage holes prevent moisture buildup. PVC feeders are inexpensive, rot-proof, and simple to clean.
Five-gallon food-grade buckets are adapted into feeders by cutting access holes near the base and mounting the bucket on a wooden or metal frame. The bucket acts as the reservoir, and a removable lid keeps feed dry. Saucers or custom-built trays at the base catch the outflowing grain. Bucket feeders hold 20 to 40 pounds of feed and are among the simplest DIY designs.
Gravity feeders use a hopper mounted above a trough, with feed flowing downward as birds eat. The hopper can be a bucket, barrel, or custom-built box, and the trough is typically made from galvanized steel or lumber lined with food-safe material. The rate of flow is controlled by the width of the opening between hopper and trough.