DIY trough feeder using gutters

[Vata Raven]

I do think gutters could potentially be used somehow to make an improved DIY system though.

How's your gutter system setup?

The gutter works, but there isn't really a way to close it off at night.

I was thinking of a PVC pipe setup with the 4inch sewer pipe, but that'll get costly if you have more than a dozen birds.

Trough-style is the way to go with bigger flocks, but all the gravity-fed feeders aren't long, so all the birds can't sit at the dinner table.

 

[affacat]

How's your gutter system setup?

The gutter works, but there isn't really a way to close it off at night.

I was thinking of a PVC pipe setup with the 4inch sewer pipe, but that'll get costly if you have more than a dozen birds.

Trough-style is the way to go with bigger flocks, but all the gravity-fed feeders aren't long, so all the birds can't sit at the dinner table.

Oh, I totally ditched the gutters and bought a bunch of feeders that each take a 50lb feed bag. Actually they take 55 which means they don't need to be completely empty when filled.

The gutter system worked required me feeding them daily, and I think was a cause of low egg production vs. Their always having food available now.

The big plus of gutters was it was free, and the feeders I used now cost money, but everybody is happier and it's far, far less work for me (I bring out 4 bags of feed and don't have to think about it for awhile.

I didn't close off the gutters, which Is why i had to feed daily.

 

[Vata Raven]

Oh, I totally ditched the gutters and bought a bunch of feeders that each take a 50lb feed bag.

Which feeders?

 

[affacat]

Which feeders?

Got some of these and love them. They take 55lb of feed, which means a whole bag goes in even if there's some left before you fill.

They've made everything better. We save time every day not needing to feed them and our egg production has went up significantly (free feed seems to reduce their stress).

https://duncanspoultry.com/duncans-poultry-55-lb-2-sided-feeder/

 

[Vata Raven]

https://duncanspoultry.com/duncans-poultry-55-lb-2-sided-feeder/

Ah, I remember seeing that, and wishing someone made them in plastic.

Because I knew that wouldn't do well outside.

 

[affacat]

Ah, I remember seeing that, and wishing someone made them in plastic.

Because I knew that wouldn't do well outside.

We have ours outside, but under cover. So far so good?

 

[Stephine]

Ah, I remember seeing that, and wishing someone made them in plastic.

Because I knew that wouldn't do well outside.

Sure it’s galvanized, so it wouldn’t rust. But it’ll get wet, so you would need a cover.