Game feeders a lot less blockages

[saul]

After seeing posts about blocked feeders I thought I would show what I use I cut half circles either side of the strenthener in the bottom of the barrel I get this mesh from b & q I get it in 8ft x 4ft sheets (or the boss does ) it's used by plasterers cut it in squares to cover the holes I feed pellets or wheat in my feeders if the wheat is small I put two meshes in crossing each other I have around 400 feeders like this and as long as the feed stays dry I never have them block a bonus is its a lot cheaper way. Before anyone starts this is a barrel I found behind my barn I used for these pics all my barrels are spotless ( inside) and disinfected before I use them on my birds

[Arley]

We used to use a similar mesh often thought wild birds found them easier to use?

[Elby]

What sort of lid is on the feeders?

[saul]

Just the lid that comes with the barrel

[jfgpm]

Interesting kind of feeder. Thanks !

 

What do you feed and which mesh width woudl you recommend for wheat ?

How do you "teach" the birds to get their goody out of the bottom of the barrel (overhead) ?

[Teal]

No need to teach them, they should be able to see the grain. What most keepers do on their rounds is tap the bottom of the feeder to check for blockages/that the feed is running freely and to release a little bit of grain for the birds to find.

[stubby]

which mesh width woudl you recommend for wheat ?

 

 

 

EML (expanding metal lathe) only comes in one size, read how the OP combats that in his first post

[jfgpm]

Thanks !

[Pykie]

Only trouble we had with using mesh bottoms was the badgers would rip them out!

[Elby]

If you use pellets in them and it rains do you not find the water runs round the drum and soaks the pellets?

That was why I asked about the lids.

Thanks

[saul]

I feed pellets in mine for the start of the release only time I've had wet pellets is if the lid has come off through me or a underkeeper rushing and not putting it on pheasants find it real easy when you fill them some always comes out on to the floor the hole in the bottom is plenty large enough for them to see the pellets when underneath pecking at the food on the floor it only takes one to start and the rest will follow we have loads of badgers here but must say I've never had problems with them on the feeders I've had problems with deer knocking them over if the mesh is cut large enough I don't think anything will pull it out easily

[Paul223]

Re lids and rain

 

I use plastic 45 gallon barrels, preferably the ones without a lip on the bottom, turn them over, the lip that was at the top now acts as a drip on the bottom.

When jigsawing the bottom (now top ) of the drum leave a two inch rim this will maintain the drums rigidity,

Cut the end off a steel 45 gallon drum say 4 inch deep, now this 'cap' will drop over the slightly tapered sides of what was the bottom now the top of the drum, usually quite tight too but a brick or stone maybe needed.

Do what ever is needed to open up the top (now bottom) of the drum to attach the feeder of your choice

Will hold 150 kgs of feed without sagging so fit good strong legs cut at an angle

[Elby]

Cheers

[Paul223]

 

[Elby]

Good idea Paul

I have feeders on mine which are made by cutting a metal barrel in half, welding some legs onto them.

About 12inch up each leg I weld a bar/footplate so the lag can be pushed in the ground.

I cut a hole in the bottom and then drop a 45 gallon plastic drum with feeder attatched into it.

Deer can't push it over then but still have clogging problems.

Next plan is to make a rubber skirt so water can't run down between the metal & plastic drums.

Then design a spring or tray feeder that you can slide out while sliding in a blanking plate (to stop the grain coming out).

Clean it and put it back

[Paul223]

We use the wright feeder and so far have not had blockages due to straw or chaff, the birds tend to keep them free of straw

 

We did learn to griddle wheat contaminated particularly badly with shredded plastic as that did cause blockages

 

The holes in the wright feeder are similar size wise to Saul's mesh holes

[Elby]

I'll make a few feeders like yours.

Great idea to use barrels without screw top lids is good too cos they are easier and cheaper to get.

Thanks again

[Paul223]

I haven't paid for any as yet!

Ask around your local dairy farms