9 Of THE Best DIY Chicken Feeders Your Chickens Will Love!

Is a DIY chicken feeder something you need?  Well, let’s talk through why you might need a DIY Chicken feeder.

You’ve probably made several trips to your local farm store to replace a chicken feeder that has seen better days. Not a big deal at first, but eventually, the cost of all of those feeders starts to add up. Especially if you plan on introducing new chickens to the flock in the future.

We feel your pain. So we decided to make a full list of THE best DIY chicken feeders your chickens will love!

Homesteading and DIY projects go hand in hand. They are sometimes a little more time consuming than a simple run to the store, but they are almost always cheaper to build and last MUUUUUCH longer. In the long run, most DIY projects are more cost effective.

And this is why if you have backyard chickens, you should definitely consider making a DIY chicken feeder.

In addition to being cheaper and longer lasting, making a DIY chicken feeder can also allow you to tailor your feeder to best suit your needs!

For example, looking to cut chicken feed costs?  Make a no-waste feeder.  Looking to feed your chickens less, make one of the large 5 gallon bucket feeders you won’t have to refill everyday.

There are all kinds of DIY chicken feeders:  a PVC chicken feeder, a coffee can chicken feeder and more.  Really, your imagination can be the limit for what you can use to make your chicken feeder.

Looking for other DIY chicken projects? Check out our DIY chicken brooder and DIY chicken run

So let’s get to the list of the best DIY chicken feeders your chickens will love!

DIY No-Waste Feeder

Let’s start this list with a double money saver! On top of saving money by building a more durable and longer lasting DIY chicken feeder, this feeder will also save you money on your chicken feed bill.

And we all know, the cost of feeding chickens can add up super quick!

The $2 Five Gallon Bucket Chicken Feeder

Meet the DIY chicken feeder version of the 5 gallon chicken feeder you see lining the aisles of your local farm store.

If you don’t like to haul chicken feed out everyday, you can try out this DIY chicken feeder which holds a TON of food at one time.  Unless, of course, chicken math has taken over and you have a super large flock!

The PVC No Spill Feeder

This is another no waste chicken feeder.  I love this PVC chicken feeder! This DIY chicken feeder is a double bonus of being no spill – save money by reducing wasted feed –  AND it is large enough that it can store a good amount of feed.

If you get a feeder the right size for your flock, you can fill it once a week and your chickens will never go hungry. That kind of time savings can get you AT LEAST another cup of coffee in the morning.

Also, making a PVC chicken feeder shouldn’t be too terribly costly as the PVC pieces are usually priced pretty reasonably.

The DIY Chicken Feeder Salad Bar

One of the more unique chicken feeder ideas! Keep your chickens from destroying their leafy greens from scratching the ground but also give them a nutritious snack!

The DIY Wine Bottle Grit & Oyster Shell Feeder

Grit is a necessary part of a chicken’s diet. If your flock does is not able to free range, they may need a grit supplement. Here’s a great way to convert an empty wine bottle into a grit dispenser. Added bonus: you can empty the bottle yourself while you do the project 😉

Through The Wall PVC DIY Chicken Feeder

This is an alternate version of the other PVC chicken feeder. It still retains the no spill qualities but is designed for feeders that are not in an easily accessible location.

Or, if you don’t want to have to do into your chicken coop to dump feed, you can use this through the wall DIY chicken feeder.  I know that would make it a little faster and easier for us in the mornings if we didn’t have to go into the coop, but could just dump their food and then check on them later.

An additional bonus to a PVC chicken feeder is there is no real “building”  the PVC pieces all fit together making it an easy project for even those of us who are not real builders.

The Hanging Coffee Can

No, this is not specifically for chickens who need an extra little oomph in the morning. It’s for the chicken farmers who need that extra little oomph in the morning! Don’t toss your coffee canisters when you empty them. They can be upcycled into a hanging DIY chicken feeder.

Assuming that you already are drinking the coffee that you use the coffee can of, this DIY chicken feeder is essentially free!  And free is great!

The Metal Canister Gravity Feeder

If you want something a little more heavy duty, here’s a DIY chicken feeder you can make using PVC pipes and a metal trash can.

This feeder is good for big flocks and also if you have a need for your feeder to withstand more wear and tear.

The Automatic DIY Chicken Feeder

This is to feeding chickens what the remote control is for television. I love the idea of a closed chicken feeder that activates and opens when a chicken steps on the pedal.

It ticks all of the boxes for me; keeps out rodents, stores food for longer periods of time, no spill/scratch design, and it looks nice!

Of course this DIY chicken feeder may take a little more skill than some of the others above, it really is a combination of all of their best qualities!  And if it is going to last a long time, you may as well put in a little extra time and money and get the best DIY chicken feeder possible.

Do you have any chicken feeder ideas not listed above? Let us know in the comment section below.

For more info on chickens check out: