Keeping chickens at home can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with responsibilities like ensuring they have constant access to food and water. Creating automatic chicken feeders and waterers from plastic bottles can simplify this task while ensuring your feathered friends are always well-fed and hydrated.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of crafting these ingenious solutions using simple materials found around the house.
1. Gravity-Powered Feeder from a Plastic Bottle
Materials Needed:
- Large plastic bottle (e.g., 2-liter soda bottle)
- Utility knife
- Hot glue gun
- Small tray or shallow bowl
Steps:
- Prepare the Bottle: Clean the bottle thoroughly and remove any labels.
- Cut Openings: Using a utility knife, cut several small openings near the bottom of the bottle. These openings should be large enough for the feed to flow out but not so large that it pours out too quickly.
- Attach the Tray: Hot glue the bottle upright in the center of the tray. Ensure it is securely attached.
- Fill with Feed: Fill the bottle with chicken feed. Gravity will pull the feed down through the openings and into the tray, providing a steady supply of food.
2. Automatic Waterer Using a Plastic Jug
Materials Needed:
- Large plastic jug (e.g., 1-gallon milk jug)
- Utility knife
- Small plastic container (e.g., a yogurt container)
- Hot glue gun
Steps:
- Prepare the Jug: Clean the jug and remove any labels.
- Cut the Opening: Cut a small hole near the bottom of the jug, just above the level of the yogurt container.
- Attach the Container: Hot glue the yogurt container in place so that it sits under the hole in the jug.
- Fill with Water: Fill the jug with water. Water will flow into the container until it reaches the level of the hole, stopping when the container is full.
3. Hanging Bottle Feeder
Materials Needed:
- 2-liter plastic bottle
- Scissors
- String or wire
- Small tray or pie tin
Steps:
- Prepare the Bottle: Clean and dry the bottle.
- Cut Openings: Cut small holes near the bottom of the bottle for the feed to come out.
- Attach the Tray: Secure the tray or pie tin under the bottle’s openings using hot glue.
- Create a Hanging Mechanism: Punch holes in the bottle’s neck and thread a string or wire through to create a hanger.
- Fill and Hang: Fill the bottle with feed and hang it in your chicken coop.
4. PVC Pipe Feeder
Materials Needed:
- PVC pipe (about 3 feet long)
- End caps for PVC pipe
- Elbow joints for PVC pipe
- PVC cement
- Utility knife or saw
Steps:
- Prepare the Pipe: Cut the PVC pipe to the desired length (around 3 feet).
- Attach Elbows and End Caps: Using PVC cement, attach an elbow joint to one end of the pipe and an end cap to the other end.
- Create the Feeder Base: Attach another piece of PVC pipe to the other side of the elbow joint to act as the base where the feed will be dispensed.
- Cut Openings: Cut a small opening near the bottom of the upright pipe.
- Mount the Feeder: Secure the feeder to a wall or post inside the chicken coop.
- Fill with Feed: Fill the PVC pipe with feed. The feed will flow down through the pipe and into the base.
5. Bucket Waterer with Nipples
Materials Needed:
- 5-gallon plastic bucket with lid
- Chicken water nipples (available at farm supply stores)
- Drill with appropriate-sized bit for water nipples
Steps:
- Drill Holes: Drill holes in the bottom of the bucket for the water nipples.
- Install Nipples: Screw the water nipples into the holes.
- Fill with Water: Fill the bucket with water and secure the lid.
- Mount the Bucket: Hang or place the bucket in a shaded area of the chicken coop to keep the water cool.
- Teach the Chickens: Ensure the chickens know how to use the nipples by gently pressing their beaks to them to release water.
Installing and Testing:
Hang the feeder and waterer at an appropriate height within the chicken coop, ensuring easy access for the chickens while keeping the feed and water clean.
Test the automatic feeders and waterers to ensure they are functioning correctly. Make any necessary adjustments, such as tightening the screws or enlarging the holes, to optimize performance.
Maintenance and Monitoring:
Regularly refill the feed and water containers as needed to ensure a constant supply for your chickens.
Clean the feeders and waterers periodically to prevent mold, algae, and bacterial growth. Disassemble the components, wash them with soap and water, and sanitize them with a mild bleach solution if necessary.
Monitor the feeders and waterers regularly to ensure they are in good condition and functioning properly. Make any repairs or replacements as needed to keep your chickens happy and healthy.
With these simple DIY automatic chicken feeders and waterers, you can streamline the care of your feathered friends while saving time and effort.
By repurposing plastic bottles and other household items, you can create cost-effective solutions that provide a constant supply of food and water for your chickens. So roll up your sleeves, gather your materials, and get ready to enjoy the convenience of automated chicken care in your backyard coop.
Happy crafting!