• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Site Index
  • Summer Homesteading
  • Shop
    • Profitable Homesteading System
    • Jumpstart Your Homestead
    • Organized Chicken Keeper
    • G.O.A.T. Herd Management System
    • The Ultimate Planner for Breeding Goats
    • Couponing for Beginners Planner
  • Nigerian Dwarf Goats for Sale
    • Nigerian Dwarf Goats
  • About

Mranimal Farm

All About Silkies, Nigerian Dwarf Goats & More

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Site Index
  • Fall Homesteading
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
ร—
Home ยป Chickens

Feb 19, 2021 ยท Modified: Jul 4, 2023 by MrAnimal Farm This post may contain affiliate links. ยท As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

9 Of THE Best DIY Chicken Feeder Ideas Your Chickens Will Love!

Is a DIY chicken feeder something you need?ย  If you have a flock of backyard chickens and don't want to buy one of the best chicken feeders at the farm store, then the answer is probably yes.

DIY or Do-It-Yourself chicken feeders come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are made from PVC pipe, some are made from gallon plastic buckets, some are made from metal and the list goes on. You might choose to make your own chicken feeder to reduce feed waste, or save money.

square feature image of a rooster eating feed from a person's hand. Text reads, "diy chicken feeders. 9 designs to choose from"

DIY Chicken Feeders

Of course one of the main things you need to take care of your chickens is a chicken feeder.

The fact is chicken feeders (especially the plastic ones) don't always last forever. Sure, there are some store bought chicken feeders that really do a great job.

And, quite frankly, if you don't have a large flock or if you aren't a builder or don't have time for extra projects, the store bought feeders work quite well.

However, if you have been raising backyard chickens for a while, 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.

Why Make Your Own Chicken Feeder?

First, they are typically going to be quite a bit less costly than a store bought expensive feeder. Store bought feeders, especially nice metal ones tend to run in the $20 - $50 range. Making your own feeder can sometimes be done for free with things you already have or as little as $10 or so depending on the type you choose.

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.

If you make your own chicken feeder, you can also tailor it to fit your needs.

For example, looking to cut chicken feed costs?  Make a no-waste feeder.  Looking to spend less time filling feeders with feed? Make one of the large 5 gallon bucket feeders you won't have to refill everyday. Looking to cut down on rodents in your coop? Make an enclosed feeder that mice can't easily get into.

What Kinds of DIY feeders are there?

There are all kinds of DIY chicken feeders that can be made. Really, your imagination can be the limit for what you can use to make your chicken feeder.

Some common materials that are used are: Plastic buckets, wood, coffee cans, metal buckets, PVC pipes, Tupperware bins, and even wine bottles!

Looking for other DIY chicken projects? Check out our DIY chicken brooder DIY Feed Bin, and DIY chicken run.

9 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 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 Chicken Bucket Feeder

Meet the DIY version of the 5 gallon chicken feeder you see lining the aisles of your local farm store (and all you really need is a plastic bucket).

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

Need some help keeping your chickens health and care taken care of? Check out the Organized Chicken Keeper for an easy to follow system.

The No Spill PVC Feeder

This is another no waste chicken feeder.ย  I love this PVC feeder! This one is a double bonus of being no spill - save money by reducing wasted chicken feed -ย  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 feeder shouldn't be too terribly costly as the PVC pieces are usually priced pretty reasonably.

no spill chicken feeder
photo credit: theartofdoingstuff.com

The 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 ๐Ÿ˜‰

Through The Wall PVC DIY Chicken Feeder

PVC chicken feeder
photo credit: littlehouseliving.com

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 the chickens 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 one 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.

silkies at automatic chicken feeder
photo credit: communitychickens.com

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

If you need more help with taking care of your chickens, check out The Organized Chicken Keeper for a complete system for managing their health through keeping their supplies stocked and coop clean.

Access The Organized Chicken Keeper Here
pinterest pin for DIY Chicken Feeder

More Raising Chickens 101

  • zucchini in wooden basket sitting in the grass
    Can Chickens Eat Zucchini?
  • Edible rhubarb stalks on the wooden table.
    Can Chickens Eat Rhubarb?
  • Can Chickens Eat Lemons?
  • orange and orange slices on a bamboo cutting board
    Can Chickens Eat Oranges?

Primary Sidebar

kristin, justin and goat

Hey, we are Justin & Kristin! Welcome to MrAnimal Farm where we share our knowledge on homesteading, livestock and poultry, gardening and food preservation

More about us โ†’

Popular Posts

  • Differences Between Ameraucana, Aracana and Easter Egger Chickens
    The Araucana Vs Ameraucana Vs Easter Egger Chicken
  • Chickens That Lay Green Eggs - What Chickens Lay Green Eggs
    Chickens That Lay Green Eggs - What Chickens Lay Green Eggs?
  • brooder box for chicks
    Chick Brooder Plans - How to Build a Brooder in 3 Steps!
  • Curled toes in Chickens
    Curled Toes in Chickens - Causes and Treatment
  • Goat Toys
    DIY Goat Toys: Cheap Toys to Keep Your Goats Busy
  • hen or roo
    How To Sex A Chicken & Tell A Hen From A Rooster

Fall Homesteading

  • Signs Chicken Still Laying
    5 Ways to Tell if a Chicken is Still Laying
  • Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash
    Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash? A Food Preservation Guide
  • Goat Heat Signs โ€“ 6 Signs to Tell Your Goat is in Heat
    Goat Heat Signs - 6 Signs to Tell Your Goat is in Heat
  • cut your chicken feed cost
    How to Cut Your Chicken Feed Cost in Half - 5 Simple Ways!

Footer

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Privacy Policy

For details on our privacy policy click here.

Copyright © 2023 ยท MrAnimal Farm