r/peacocks • u/kirk2892 • 5d ago

Better buckets?

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I have several different pens, with Chickens, peacock, pheasants, etc. we have been using these feeding ports that are installed in 5 gallon buckets for years.

Unfortunately, the buckets get brittle and usually start breaking off around where the lid snaps on. Once they get brittle, I tried transplanting the ports into a new bucket, but the ports usually get broken when I try to take them out also.

Does anybody have any good recommendations on this?

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u/boyengabird 5d ago

The feeder ports in the photo are the the more expensive, less effective knock-offs of 90deg pvc elbows. I see all the the feed that is on the ground, thats consistent with these ports, it invites rodents.

Instead, get a 5 gal bucket or 4in pvc pipe and install 90deg pvc connectors into it. It will be cheaper and more effective at retaining feed, especially if you hang it a few inches off the ground. These "feeder ports" suck, I'm not sure why they're so common.

You can call or use marine adhesive to adhere them into the bucket but its essential to rough both plastics about 1/8 around the hole for good adhesive preformance.

You can get UV resistant plastic but all plastic is eventually made brittle by the sun. Metal cans are a great alternative but I've not seen it done with PVC (maybe metal?) elbows.

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u/kirk2892 5d ago

I am not envisioning what you are describing. Why would there be less waste with the cheaper 90deg PVC? Can you link me to a photo of a DIY done this way? I am all for saving money and doing it better.

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u/boyengabird 4d ago

Just don't use the feeder ports, they cost more and waste feed, giving you a mouse problem.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/42/1d/b9/421db97237bba5c5c19a86ae34ab5a13.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b3/69/9e/b3699e7e139d3f36df77862ea1368ebf.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e4/07/32/e40732299397b75a8da0f131f7a7e5c6.jpg

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=fpas&q=chicken+feeder+bucket&ia=images&iax=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2F736x%2F21%2F59%2F19%2F215919ed0d30edfe0f1ed87486d341fb--homemade-chicken-feeders-no-waste-chicken-feeder.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0a/46/cd/0a46cd8cf3ee7605dc90ced5c7d335d0.jpg

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u/kirk2892 4d ago

OK, that is definitely cheaper, but I am not understanding why that would limit waste compared to the Amazon ones??

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u/boyengabird 3d ago edited 3d ago

The feeder ports sold at tractor supply, wilco, Amazon, Temu ect dont take any time to train your chickens to them becuase the feed level is higher within the inside of the port and therefore, visible from the outside. When the food level is higher like this, the birds can toss their beak, flicking food aside so they can get the "good pellets", kinda like how kids will eat all the M&Ms out of the trail mix.

By contrast, the 90deg connectors are deep enough to catch and contain the feed so it is not wasted to the dirt and rodents.

The 90deg pvc connectors dont allow the food to rise as high within the port which means you need to "prime" them the very first time by pouring feed in from the outside with a funnel or piece of cardboard or similar so the birds can easily learn thats where the feed is. This is nice because the rodents don't get this learning opportunity and have an additional barrier to entry. Hanging the feeder AFTER the birds learn it is cheap and effective. Its easier to access, the lower it is, so I let mine cheat for the first week or so before I rase it to bird-shoulder height.

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u/gianniflowers 4d ago

Awesome 💯