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Homemade feeders

A

ANTLER VALLEY

Joined Apr 2009
1,020 Posts | 0+
Carrollton, MO
In search of the best homemade feeder design...I've come across quite a few plastic 55-gallon barrels. Any ideas?



I was thinking of buying sheet plastic and making a cone to funnel feed from it, but not wanting to spend more time than money saved. I have some Feed4All feeders but they have their flaws, as I'm sure most do. Need something small enough to move by hand, sturdy enough to endure rutting bucks, high winds, and parallel rains. If nothing else, I might try to build a hay feeder similar to what Del Clayna is putting out (their trash can version) for square bales.



Let me know...
 
I had seen these before. I actually bought a 4-way from Bossbucks, but haven't done anything with it (yet). You don't use a cone above this to divert the feed to the edge of the feeders? Ever have feed molded up inside the barrel? How did you support the barrel? Thanks
 
Here is a pic of an old one I made back in 2006.



You don't need to install another funnel above this unit.



Never had mold on any feed and never had any moisture migrate in. (We get up to 50" of rain a year down here) They will provide installation instructions.

make sure you caulk around the top edges where the funnel meets the drum.



Here is the link to the band you can order. Then all you need is 3 pieces of pipe cut to the length you need to get your desired height.



If you don't have a lid that has a hand binder spend the extra 23 dollars and get their lid.



http://www.bossbuck.com/products/parts/barrelband.html
 

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I have seen those stands, too. I like the wide base on them. Your picture was very helpful...do you use a ladder to fill your barrel? It looks pretty tall; then again, maybe you have an auger wagon? I do all chores via 5-gallon buckets. I wonder if you drilled 1" holes every 3" or so down the side, then took a strip of thin plexiglass and covered the holes by attaching p-glass with liquid nails, then you might have an easy way to see the feed inventory from the ground? I also like that you can use different lengths of pipe to accomodate different ages of deer. I know fawns sure come onto feed in late July at my place, but the feeders I've been using don't adjust down to their height, and I waste quite a bit every year due to ***** and rain.
 
My question is what barrels do guys use food grade or others if others what do you use to clean them before use :)
 
I've found two along the highway that had been used to haul vinegar. The ones I'm getting now have been used to ship and store a slightly corrosive soap (plastic barrels) but I think they can be cleaned pretty well. I'll be cutting the ends off, after all.
 
i fill mine by backing up to it with my mule and stand in the back and fill from there. I'm also able to see the level.



I made a feed blower out of a gas leaf blower similar to this.



I don't use it much but as i get older I will use it more.. :D





http://www.bossbuck.com/products/feeders/pakmule.html



If I had to do it over I would have just bought this one. Getting the flow rate of feed into the pipe right was a pain in the you know what!!!:mad:
 

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Yeah, makes me want to get some chicks! I wonder if you could make the lever device (where the chickens were standing) horizontal and about as high off the ground as a deer's brisket, so they had to push with their chest while stretching their neck; on the other hand, I have heard that ***** will chew through a 2x4 to get to some feed...
 
ANTLER VALLEY said:
Yeah, makes me want to get some chicks! I wonder if you could make the lever device (where the chickens were standing) horizontal and about as high off the ground as a deer's brisket, so they had to push with their chest while stretching their neck; on the other hand, I have heard that ***** will chew through a 2x4 to get to some feed...
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The "Originals" are galvanized Google " Grandpa's Feeders"
 
ANTLER VALLEY said:
Yeah, makes me want to get some chicks! I wonder if you could make the lever device (where the chickens were standing) horizontal and about as high off the ground as a deer's brisket, so they had to push with their chest while stretching their neck; on the other hand, I have heard that ***** will chew through a 2x4 to get to some feed...
Click to expand...



You could probabaly slant the pressure board downward a bit so they push on it with their chest when they get closer to the trough part.
 
Just let them step on it. If you do it a couple times with them watching they are curious enough they will check it out. Ya they might be scared the first couple times but they would get use to it. I cut wood from time to time in my pen and the deer are so curious about what im doing they run right over as soon as the chainsaw shuts off.
 
Smoking_44 said:
Their Weight
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it would have to be weighted pretty good to keep them out. I keep my feeder where it's visible under the pole light. When the dogs bark I step out side with the 22 pistol with lazer sight and take care of business.
 
WICKED WHITETAILS said:
Whats a good size **** weigh 30lbs whats a deer weigh? I think you can weight it enough
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heard a ruckus on the porch one nite, unknown to me, the wife left a 50lb bag of dog food out there while carrying in groceries. I went out to see what was going on and caught a cood dragging it off the porch and across the yard. Don't underestimate the strength of a ****. My thoughts are that if it takes that much pressure, the deer won't want to hold the weight while they are eating.
 

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