Homemade Poultry Waterer and Feeder
Do It Yourself: PVC Gravity Feeder and Waterer
Reading Time: 4 minutes
A homemade poultry waterer and feeder can solve many issues, such as waste and soiled feed.
By Kevin McGrath Although old-fashioned feeders may still work for some, people are finding themselves frustrated that their chickens are constantly pooping or kicking bedding into the feeder, which wastes feed and can spread illness and disease.
A properly constructed gravity feeder is the solution to these problems. It can contain as much or as little feed as the handler wishes to keep, it prevents any possible way for chickens to get waste into their food, and it will keep the contents dry and pest-free. If you’re looking for an alternative means of providing your hens crushed oyster shell other than in a bowl, this will accommodate that offering as well.
All of the materials needed to construct these feeders can be found at your local home improvement store. The tools required should be available in most everyone’s home or by borrowing from a neighbor.
Tools Needed
- Tape measure
- Power drill
- 1/4″ drill bit
- 7/16″ socket and 7/16″ wrench or adjustable wrench
- PVC primer (clear or purple)
- PVC cement
- A hand saw or PVC pipe cutter capable of cutting up to 4″ PVC
Materials Needed
- 24″ of Schedule 35 PVC. This is a grey pipe used as waste pipe. (Regular Schedule 40 PVC will not work properly as noted in my explanation)
- Two 1/4″ x 1″ length bolts, washers, and nuts
- 4″ black corrugated waste drain cap
- PVC fencing post cap
- 4″ x 2″ x 3″ waste pipe fitting. This is found near the corrugated waste pipe and can be used for tying in downspouts.
Directions
- Start by taking the fence post cap and slipping it over the square end of the waste pipe fitting. This will be a snug fit.
- On the lip of the post cap, measure 1″ from the end and mark a dot on either side. With the 1/4″ drill bit, carefully drill a hole through these marks and slightly ream out to remove any burrs.
- Push the 1/4″ bolts into each one of these holes, and by reaching into the circular opening of the fitting, slide a washer and thread a nut on each of the two bolts. Tighten enough to where these connected fittings can just barely hinge apart.
- With the PVC primer, lightly coat one end of the pipe approximately 2″ down and the opening side of the fitting you’ve just constructed. Apply a light coat of PVC cement and firmly slide the fitting over the end of the pipe, hold in place for 10 seconds.
- Slide the black cap over the top, and you are done!
- Mounting can be done in several different ways. In my very first picture, you will see I used a chimney pipe bracket, but a couple of heavy duty zip ties will work as well if mounting to a fence post or such.
- Fill and enjoy!
Waterer
The gravity waterer is constructed in almost the exact same manner except with the use of a 4″ slip cap and as many water nipples as you would like to use. I always recommend a minimum of at least two nipples just in case one fails. Check the operation of this waterer daily.
Originally published in the October/November 2012 issue of Backyard Poultry.
I am super interested in this system , but the pictures wont load and I dont think I can build it from just the written instructions? Thank you
Mary,
Our IT department recently moved our website to a different server, and multiple image links were broken. We’re working as fast as we can to identify and fix them. Our apologies!
Pictures didn’t load.
Michael,
Our IT department recently moved our website to a different server, and multiple image links were broken. We’re working as fast as we can to identify and fix them. Our apologies!