15 DIY Chicken Feeder Ideas That Are Easy and No Waste

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The first feeder I ever bought lasted one week before I noticed the problem. Half the feed was on the ground. The chickens were scratching it everywhere, and at night the mice were having a party.

That is when I started building my own.

A good DIY chicken feeder does three things. It holds enough feed so you are not refilling every morning, it stops the flicking and the waste, and it keeps rats and wild birds out.

Here are 15 DIY chicken feeder ideas that do exactly that. PVC pipe, buckets, trash cans, wood, totes and even a rain gutter. Most cost very little and take an afternoon. I also added two easy waterer ideas at the end, because feed and water always go together.

1PVC Pipe Gravity Chicken Feeder

This is the classic, and honestly the one I recommend to everyone first. A tall pipe holds the feed and gravity slowly drops it into an elbow at the bottom where the hens eat.

Because the opening is small, chickens cannot scratch feed out onto the floor. In my experience it cuts waste more than any other simple build. Fill it from the top, cap it, and it can last several days for a small flock.

• Very little waste
• Cheap to build
• Easy to refill

25 Gallon Bucket No Waste Feeder

A bucket feeder is the easiest no waste feeder you can make. Drill a few holes near the bottom, screw in feeder ports, fill it and hang it.

Chickens poke their heads into the ports to eat and cannot flick feed out. I like using a food grade bucket with a tight lid so the feed stays dry and fresh. A no waste feeder ports kit makes the whole build about 30 minutes.

• Almost zero waste
• 30 minute build
• Holds a lot of feed

3Trash Can Feeder for a Large Flock

Got a big flock? A metal trash can turns into a feeder that holds a whole bag of feed or more. Add ports around the bottom the same way as the bucket feeder.

A galvanized trash can with a locking lid is my pick here. Rats cannot chew through metal, and the lid keeps the rain out. Set it on a couple of pavers so the bottom stays dry.

• Holds a full bag of feed
• Chew proof metal
• Fewer refills

4Rat Proof Treadle Feeder

If rats are your problem, a treadle feeder is the answer. The lid only opens when a chicken steps on the platform, so rodents are too light to open it.

You can build one from plywood and a simple hinged lid, but it takes some patience to balance the weight. Honestly, if you do not want to fiddle with it, a ready made rat proof treadle feeder is worth it. Give your hens a few days to learn it with the lid propped open.

• Keeps rats out
• Stops wild birds too
• Feed stays clean

5Simple Wooden Hanging Feeder

A small wooden box with a slanted lid and an open tray at the bottom looks so cute in a coop. It hangs from a chain so you can raise it as the flock grows.

Hanging feeders stay cleaner because chickens cannot climb in or kick bedding into the tray. I like adding a small lip around the tray so feed does not spill over the edge.

• Cute farmhouse look
• Adjustable height
• Stays cleaner

6Covered Feeder Shelter to Keep Feed Dry

Wet feed turns moldy fast, and moldy feed can make chickens sick. If your feeder sits outside, give it a little roof.

A simple shelter made from a few boards and a scrap of metal roofing works great. Make it wide enough that rain cannot blow in from the sides.

• Feed stays dry
• No moldy feed
• Easy weekend build

7Plastic Bottle Feeder for Chicks

Baby chicks need a tiny feeder they cannot sit in. A plastic bottle turned upside down in a shallow dish works perfectly.

Cut small openings near the neck so feed trickles out slowly. Sand every cut edge until it is smooth, because chicks are delicate. It is one of the cheapest ideas on this list and perfect for the brooder.

• Nearly free
• Chick safe size
• Great for brooders

8Easy Wood Trough Feeder

A trough is the simplest wooden feeder you can build. Two long boards, two end pieces, and you are done.

Add a spinning rod or a strip of wood along the top so chickens cannot stand in it. In my experience that one small detail keeps the feed so much cleaner.

• Very simple build
• Feeds many birds at once
• Easy to clean

9Tote Bin Feeder

A sturdy plastic tote makes a great low feeder. Cut holes in the sides or add feeder ports, then snap the lid on.

Totes are wide, so more chickens can eat at once. Pick a thick one with a locking lid so it does not crack in the cold or open when hens bump it.

• Room for many hens
• Lid keeps feed dry
• Cheap and quick

10Barrel Feeder for Big Flocks

A food grade plastic barrel holds huge amounts of feed. It is perfect if you keep a lot of birds or have meat chickens that eat all day.

Mount it on a stand with ports along the bottom. Clean the barrel well first and only use one that held food, never chemicals.

• Huge capacity
• Feeds a big flock
• Refill once a week or less

11Vacation Feeder That Lasts for Weeks

Going away for a few days? Combine a big feeder with good rain protection and you can relax.

A trash can or barrel feeder under a roof can easily hold enough for a week or more. Still, I always ask a neighbor to check water and eggs, because water runs out much faster than feed.

• Peace of mind
• Big capacity
• Less daily work

12Wall Mounted PVC Feeder Row

If one PVC feeder works, a row of them works even better. Mount three or four along one coop wall so every hen gets a spot.

This stops bossy hens from guarding the only feeder. I like labeling each pipe if you use different feeds, like layer feed in one and grit or oyster shell in another.

• No feeder fights
• Room for different feeds
• Saves floor space

13DIY 5 Gallon Bucket Chicken Waterer

Feed is only half the job. A bucket waterer with drinking cups keeps water clean because chickens cannot step or poop in it.

Drill a few holes near the bottom and screw in automatic waterer cups. They refill on their own as the hens drink. Use a food grade bucket and scrub it every week.

• Clean water all day
• No dirty bowls
• Simple build

14Feeder and Waterer Combo Station

Put your feeder and waterer in one covered station and chores get so much faster. Everything is in one spot.

Just keep them a few feet apart. If water drips into feed it gets soggy, so I like a small divider or putting the waterer on the lower side of the slope.

• Faster chores
• One covered spot
• Feed stays dry

15Cheap Rain Gutter Feeder

A piece of vinyl rain gutter makes a long, cheap feeder that many chickens can share. Add end caps and screw it to a wall or post.

It is perfect for treats, greens or scratch grains. Mount it at about chicken back height so they eat instead of standing in it.

• Super cheap
• Long feeding space
• Great for treats

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on DIY Chicken Feeder Ideas

A DIY chicken feeder does not have to be fancy to work well. Keep the opening small, the feed dry and the rats out, and you will save money every single month.

Start with a PVC pipe or bucket feeder this weekend. Once you see how much less feed ends up on the ground, you will never go back.

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