30 dollar DIY Animal Feeder

 

 

 What a great and cheap way to make a feeder for your animals.

 

It only took about 2 hours to build.

Do you have some small critters that like to waste hay... or won't eat it after it has gotten wet? This project just might save you some cash.

1. Cut barrel in half.
2. Build 2 end frames. The uprights are 48" (1 8' 2x4 cut in half for each pair of legs).
3. The bottom support for the base is 32" and the legs are 16" apart (outside dimension).
4. The 2 cross rail supports that hold the bottom barrel are 42" long and mounted at 10" from the ground (top of the 2x4 is at 10"). This puts the edge of the barrel at about 18" and was a good height for my goats to reach into.
5. Place barrel half on cross rail supports and screw 16" 2x4 above each side of the barrel (inside the legs). Drill holes in the bottom of barrel for rain drainage if it will be outside.
6. Mount a 39" flat-face-up 2x4 on top of the ones holding the barrel in place.
7. Cut your stockade/wire panel pieces. Mine are 20" tall and 36" long for the main panels and 20" tall by 12" wide on the ends.
8. Mount 2 42" long cross rails at the height to catch the top of the wire panel (I didn't measure, just lined it up).

9. Use U nails (fencing nails, chicken wire nails, etc) to secure all wire panels in place).
10. Place in goat pen and fill with hay. Note- this is a critical step.
11. Put other half of barrel on top, upside down. Secure with a bungee cord over the top.

credit: backyardherds.com