How to Build a Feeder for your Chicken Coop

After fixing up the chicken coop that was given to me I knew I wanted a small chicken feeder. And I didn’t want to fill it up with huge items. I free-range my girls but there are parts of the day when they are in their run and there is no getting around it.

For the most part, the chickens stay in the run in the early part of the day to avoid the hawks that seem to be more active. Also, I will put them back in their coop/run area when I leave and am not home for long periods of time. Leaving them as much space in their run as I can is important to me. The run I have right now is not that big so I wanted to ensure that they have some room to stretch their wings and play.

So, after scouring over the internet to purchase a chicken feeder and not finding one that I liked, I switched gears and started researching. I looked at tons of sites to gather ideas. And I decided to make a PVC chicken feeder instead of a traditional feeder and I am so happy I did.

What I also found that I love about this chicken feeder is not only does it keep them with a constant supply of food for at least 5 days, they also don’t have as much food all over the ground. This helps keep their coop stay cleaner and that in my books is a total win-win!

Tools Needed

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Here is a list of all the supplies:

• 3″ X 3″ Reducer – Be sure the reducer is long enough to be even with the bottom of the hole in the Sanitary Tee. If needed you can buy a pipe to extend the reducer.
• 4″ Cap
• 4″ X 2′ PVC Pipe
• 4″ PVC Sanitary Tee
• 4″ Cleanout Plug
• 4″ Cleanout Adapter
• Gorilla PVC glue
• Paper Towels
• Work surface covering (I used an old box)
• Jig Saw
• Sander or sanding paper

Chicken Feeder Instructions

Gather your supplies for your chicken feeder and find a nice large work surface to work on. I chose to do this on my kitchen table. Be sure to cover the surface because that PVC glue is some serious stuff. (wink) It can dry faster than you can wipe it up.

This chicken feeder is super easy to put together.

First – Glue the 3″ X 3″ Reducer to the bottom of the 4″ X 2′ PVC Pipe. The fat side of the reducer fits inside the Pipe. Then let that dry. (This should only take a few minutes)

Second – Glue the 4″ Cleanout Adapter to the bottom side of the 3″ X 3″ Reducer. Then let that dry.

Third – Glue the 4″ X 3′ PVC pipe to the top of the 4″ Sanitary tee – sliding the reducer into the Tee snugly.

Fourth – Screw in the 4″ Cleanout Plug on the bottom and add the 4″ Cap to the top.

Cool Video for the Win!

If the instructions above are not easy enough to understand and you need a bit more to look at, check out my video on how to do it. Now mind you I am no professional at making these videos, but I am hoping it helps answer any questions you might have.

It’s been a couple of months since I installed this feeder in my coop and I have come to appreciate it even more than I thought I would. In the early mornings, it is nice to not have to run outside. I do not find myself needing to rush out to the coop to feed them. I am not a lazy farmer. But I am a busy mom/wife/wanna-be-farmer. For me, having systems in place that make my life easier is always the goal!

I would love to see your feeders…even if they are different from mine. You can always tag me on Instagram @homelyhens or @mrs_lisa_scott.