Using metal garbage can as feeder?

[Sillyna511]

My husband was recommended to use a metal garbage can for storing the feed. We were talking feeders, and looking at the pieces you can attach to buckets, like this:

Then he asked, why couldn’t we just put those on the bottom of a metal garbage can, and use the garbage can as the feeder?

Why have a storage container and separate feeder?

So - tell us why that is not a good idea if it isn’t. Or is he onto something clever?

 

[BantamJunkie]

They work great!

 

[avjudge]

My husband . . . asked, why couldn’t we just put those on the bottom of a metal garbage can, and use the garbage can as the feeder?

Why have a storage container and separate feeder?

So - tell us why that is not a good idea if it isn’t. Or is he onto something clever?

Combo storage/feeder sounds great. However, I would not put feeder ports in a metal storage barrel. The whole point of using metal is its resistance to access by critters with sharp teeth. If you’re putting holes (the feeder ports) in the container, I don’t see the advantage of a chew-proof container.

I mean, if you have no other use for the metal bins, now or in the future, you might as well use them this way rather than buy something more. We just always have stacks of extra feed (horses, llamas, chickens, pigeons) and could always use more galvanized barrels than we have so that obviously affects my attitude!

 

[Logar]

I would highly recommend plastic over metal. They are cheaper and come in more sizes but are also much easier to work with. because plastic is flexible it makes adding ports much easier and creates a better seal. It is also safer as drilling through metal can be hard, gets very hot, and can be dangerous if you aren't careful.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have found those ports to be way too short on the inside. The chickens can pull the feed out and waste it. 3" ID 90° PVC street elbows work better, they bend down deeper into the barrel and the chickens can't bill out the feed. You may have to "prime" them by putting feed at the opening for a day or two until the chickens learn there is feed at the bottom of them, but those kits you can get at the feed store are bloody worthless IMO.

 

[AinaWGSD]

You can, but the reason a metal garbage can is recommended for feed storage is because mice (and other rodents) can't chew through the metal. If you cut holes in them to turn them into feeders they are no longer rodent proof. We use metal garbage cans for feed storage, we just put the whole bag in (don't dump it...at least not on purpose)

 

[Al Gerhart]

You have gotten a lot of good advice.

Keep the metal trash can for bulk feed, use plastic buckets if you wish to make a PVC elbow feeder. That said, the feeder will be fine until rodents or wild birds find the chicken feed, then you have a 24/7 vermin feeder.

If you go this route, and no need to spend money on a proper feeder if you don't need it yet, count your chickens, multiply by .25 and that is the pounds per day of feed your should be feeding. Then track how long a bag of feed lasts so you know how much is being stolen or wasted.

 

[Sillyna511]

What if the run is built to be rodent-proof? Or is there no such thing a fully rodent proofing it?

 

[Al Gerhart]

It is possible, assuming no free range, but it would cost ten to twenty times the price of a rodent proof feeder. Then keeping it rodent proof will require repair and maintenance.

Cheaper to just watch the feed use per hen then when you need a good feeder spend the money if you are on a tight budget. Better to get out in front and never develop a rodent problem but.... sometimes money is an issue. It is true that rodents will eat chicken poop but they won't be able to live on it without some other form of natural or human created waste that provides complete nutrition to the point they can thrive much less raise young.

 

[Sillyna511]

It is possible, assuming no free range, but it would cost ten to twenty times the price of a rodent proof feeder. Then keeping it rodent proof will require repair and maintenance.

Cheaper to just watch the feed use per hen then when you need a good feeder spend the money if you are on a tight budget. Better to get out in front and never develop a rodent problem but.... sometimes money is an issue. It is true that rodents will eat chicken poop but they won't be able to live on it without some other form of natural or human created waste that provides complete nutrition to the point they can thrive much less raise young.

Okay. Our chicken run is built on a cinderblock foundation, walls fully enclosed in hardware mesh with a hardware mesh apron buried around the outside. The door to the run is our old back door from our house, and it has a fully enclosed roof with no gaps. I think we’re as rodent proof as we can get… but I guess there’s no way of knowing for sure until the chickens & food are actually in it.