Making Five Gallon Bucket Chicken Feeders That Are RAT proof!

Рет қаралды 23,489

3 жыл бұрын

Hey friends! Welcome back! I have a rat problem under my chicken coop and my current feeders are not helping the situation. So, I am updating my feeders and making them more rat proof. My thinking is, get rid of the food and the rats will leave; hopefully! It's worth a try anyway! Come along as I show you how I am putting these buckets together.
Supplies You Will Need For One Bucket Feeder:
1 5 gallon buckets (I am using three)
1 easy open lid for the bucket
3 1/4inch eye bolts roughly 5 inches long (3 bolts per bucket)
6 1/4inch nuts (2 per bolt)
6 washers that fit over a 1/4 bolt (2 per bolt)
3 1inch PVC pieces (1 per bolt)
Tools Needed:
Drill
1/2 Drill Bit
You can see a review on how these have been working out for me here:
• Chicken Feeder Review
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Пікірлер: 55

@StephanieR-sv1ld Жыл бұрын

I built this a few weeks ago with two toggles in one bucket; we smeared peanut butter and then jelly on the toggles for a few days in a row (being persistent was key) and my 2.5-year-old hens figured it out after a little less than a week. Make sure to use eyebolts and put the loop end inside the bucket. At one point the hens unscrewed the nut/washer, so we may consider using LockTight if it happens again. Packrats are still sneaking around but I haven't seen them successfully hit the toggles, and I'm pleased they aren't rummaging around in the food bin, now; we are going through way less food.

@FarmGirlInProgress Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome! I eventually just took the washers, bolts and nuts off because my chickens were doing the same. They’re still using it fine without all the extra toggles.

@DRONEPOISON 7 ай бұрын

Vise grips for the win, great job

@CSCINF 2 жыл бұрын

I was going to buy an expensive treadle feeder til I saw your video. Mice and birds are my problem. I am making these tomorrow. Thanks for all the information.

@FarmGirlInProgress 2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome!

@HKhulu 7 ай бұрын

Share the review mate

@taylorrussell2812 2 жыл бұрын

This is a great idea and has inspired me to consider this for our flock. We have tried other rodent proof or resistant methods but they're eating just fine lol I would like to see how you hung these buckets up in your run! Appreciate your video!

@FarmGirlInProgress 2 жыл бұрын

We’ve been using these buckets for quite a while now and I haven’t seen a single rat since! The only thing I would change is leaving the pvc chunk, nuts and bolts off the bottom, my chickens have managed to get them all off lol

@taylorrussell2812 2 жыл бұрын

@@FarmGirlInProgress oh that's interesting! So maybe just the eye bolt with some paint at the end? That's interesting. Thanks a lot for your reply!

@FarmGirlInProgress 2 жыл бұрын

@@taylorrussell2812 you’re so welcome! And that would probably work perfectly! I didn’t think to dip them in some paint, great idea!

@thyeternalword Ай бұрын

How well does this work in high humidity? I would be worried about clumps blocking things up...

@FarmGirlInProgress Ай бұрын

I live in a super humid area, our area is basically a bowl with a creek running through it lol I’ve never had a problem with things getting sticky or blocking up

@RusticByNature Жыл бұрын

I have been using this type of feeder since 2018, and I finally make a video about last year. I use a gamma type of lid, it gets too cold here and the regular lids would get brittle and break.

@FarmGirlInProgress Жыл бұрын

That’s actually a brilliant idea! I hate wrestling with the lids in winter, they get really stiff and hard to open in the cold. I may need to look into some gamma lids! Thank you for sharing!

@tanamitv1263 Жыл бұрын

Great idea. I Will try this

@FarmGirlInProgress Жыл бұрын

You'll love them! I'm uploading a review today on how these buckets have been working for us these past two years. Be sure to check it out before you make them!

@chrislovesky5402 Жыл бұрын

If anyone watching has a rat problem make sure you hang the bucket where they can't get to it. They'll easily chew through anything that is not made of metal once they know there's food inside.

@FarmGirlInProgress Жыл бұрын

Yes! Definitely hang it where you chickens can easily reach it but out of reach of rodents.

@jusjukinallen8845 Жыл бұрын

Maybe I can get motivated to try this, anything to keep them critters away. And they are called channel lock vice grips.

@FarmGirlInProgress Жыл бұрын

I love them! I just posted a review video about how they’ve been working for us these past two years! Check it out 😊 and thank you for the tool name, haha I’m terrible with tool names!

@HKhulu 7 ай бұрын

Hey can you tell the lengtg of the eye bolt?

@FarmGirlInProgress 7 ай бұрын

I want to say 5-6 inches

@jeppelarsen2558 2 жыл бұрын

What about wind? Does it activate the feeder?

@FarmGirlInProgress 2 жыл бұрын

Nope, the weight of the feed pushing down on the eye bolts keeps them from swinging freely, you need to actually touch them, and pretty firmly, to get the feed out. Crumble falls out a lot easier than the pellets do, so I would drill a smaller hole if you prefer to feed crumble.

@ryanlevron1972 Жыл бұрын

I tried the bucket feeder system with the toggle at the bottom for our chickens..... It did not work at all..... they absolutely refuse to peck at the toggler..... So I built a tote feeder system and it works great..... It is literally my last video on my channel if you want to browse through and check it out.....might give you another idea

@FarmGirlInProgress Жыл бұрын

Oh no! Stubborn chickens! I’m sorry this style feeder didn’t work out for you, but I’m glad you found something that does work! I’ll definitely check out your video, I love seeing how others do this lifestyle 😍 thanks for watching!

@ashleybatten7424 8 ай бұрын

How do you keep the rats out though??? With the tote and elbow feeders - rats still can get in.

@ryanlevron1972 8 ай бұрын

@@ashleybatten7424 We have a yard cat... and the roosters are aggressive with small rodents

@route-249 Жыл бұрын

Why haven't you done an update on this feeder? Doesn't it work?

@FarmGirlInProgress Жыл бұрын

Honestly, I thought I had done a review! I’ll add it to the list of videos to make ☺️ The feeders work great! All the chickens, turkey and even the ducks use it with ease. There’s no waste, the feed stays dry, and I’m only feeding my birds that know how to use it. Plus, there’s no other critters getting into them. I will always recommend this style of feeder, but I know it doesn’t work for every one. A gentleman commented earlier that his chickens refused to use this style 🤷‍♀️ Everyone’s situation is different, but for us, this is my go to feeder system. I hope that helps! Thanks for watching!

@oscartangoromeo003 Жыл бұрын

Now this is something..

@LindaIBrown 5 ай бұрын

Where is the video showing your chickens using this system? I got serious rodent issues and have tired and made so many feeders. I have a lot of chickens. I’m thinking about building something that rectangular that attaches to the hardwire fence. One other thing bc those little monster rodents can crawl over everything and start chewing the lids…need to put a protective some sort of metal lid over the top so they can’t rest and chew on the top. 🤔 rethinking the design! Oooo…Thinking about double layered chicken wire in over lapping in various directions covering the top making it chew proof!

@FarmGirlInProgress 5 ай бұрын

I have a review video in the description :) I’ve been using these bucks since I made them and I love them!

@LindaIBrown 5 ай бұрын

Ooooo….metal tin cans, popcorn cans, cookie tins, clean craft paint cans. Hitting the thrift stores, No. #10 cans it just need a lid.

@lilesnate 7 ай бұрын

Jesus and chickens... like the shirt

@FarmGirlInProgress 7 ай бұрын

Thanks! It’s a combination you really can’t go wrong with ❤️

@calmee9117 Жыл бұрын

Its called a grip pliar.

@jayache3622 2 жыл бұрын

It's been six months now... how are these feeders doing for ya..?? Really have my heart set on this... I feel like I'm doing are feeding them rats..!!! Need a new way...Lmk thanks..!!!

@FarmGirlInProgress 2 жыл бұрын

6 months rat free friend! I will do an update on these feeders soon! But if you have a rat problem, these will definitely help solve the problem!

@jdavidbaxter 3 жыл бұрын

How many chickens do you have? How are these feeders working out?

@FarmGirlInProgress 3 жыл бұрын

Hi David! Thanks for your questions! I have about 30 chickens, I think, lol, they move too much to keep count anymore! And these feeders are working out great! Between the three of them, they hold 1 1/2 50lb bags of feed and that lasts about 1-2 weeks for us. Our younger birds are getting closer to laying so the feed consumption is going up. But these keep the feed dry, I have NO moisture getting in and I haven't seen a rat since putting them in the run! Huge score! It took the girls about a week to fully understand how to use the buckets and are now fully capable. We just switched to a layer pellet this week and it seems to be working just as well as it did for the crumble feed. The pellets do come out a bit slower, but the girls are still able to get the pellets out without difficulty.

@jdavidbaxter 3 жыл бұрын

@@FarmGirlInProgress I just made one of these yesterday and the crumbles are holding the eye bolt like cement. They don't move at all when they pack at it, not even when I try to move it with my hand. I'll try again when they are old enough to switch to pellets, but for now we'll have to try something else. Did you have any trouble with crumbles settling too densly?

@FarmGirlInProgress 3 жыл бұрын

@@jdavidbaxter That's not good at all! I'm sorry that's happening! We did have some trouble with the smaller hole I started with, but once I made the hole a 1/2 inch the crumbles would pour out just being bumped. What size hole did you drill in the bucket?

@jdavidbaxter 3 жыл бұрын

@@FarmGirlInProgress 1/2" It was the last half of the bag and may have been finer pieces. Love your videos.

@FarmGirlInProgress 3 жыл бұрын

@@jdavidbaxter that is a possibility! That powdery stuff can become like concrete for sure! Especially if it gets even the tiniest bit moist! I’m so glad you are enjoying the videos! Thank you for following along!

@okeechobeejoe2868 Ай бұрын

Where's the update ????

@FarmGirlInProgress Ай бұрын

It’s not an official update, but it’s a year after I made them. I still use them today and absolutely love them. They’ve worked so well and not just for chickens, our ducks and turkeys all use the buckets with ease

@FarmGirlInProgress Ай бұрын

Whoops’! Here’s the link: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a755gdWa0Z-mmnk.htmlsi=DINyCjB15jbvumou

@okeechobeejoe2868 Ай бұрын

@@FarmGirlInProgressThanks for responding, I've seen this several times on YT. So I went ahead and made one yesterday, we'll see how this goes ......thank you

@FarmGirlInProgress Ай бұрын

@@okeechobeejoe2868 you’re welcome!

@okeechobeejoe2868 Ай бұрын

@@FarmGirlInProgress My chickens are already using it, I watched them yesterday. As for rats, I have none, I have a cat that I don't feed, which in turn he hunts and kills rats.

@juniorsantiago4436 Жыл бұрын

❤ you’re gorgeous 🥰

@cassandrathatsme4382 7 ай бұрын

You don't even show us how they worked out???

@FarmGirlInProgress 7 ай бұрын

I’ve been using these buckets for years and i love them. I did a review on the buckets here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f6iYi91hmdy8n40.htmlsi=uxviU2p6-SvFlJP7