A treadle chicken feeder is a great way to feed your flock and minimize the amount of waste that chickens are capable of. Since the treadle on the front of the units are balanced so that they only open with the weight of a chicken they protect from rodents and wild birds from getting into the feed as well. The lid on a treadle chicken feeder also provides protection from the elements. If you have an open top feeder that is near a window or outside in their run; just a little bit of rain can quickly turn the grain to mold which then has to be thrown away.
A commercial treadle chicken feeder can cost over $200 but luckily Rod’s Woodworking Shop provides a great tutorial on how you can build your own for a fraction of the cost. He even provides a materials and tools list as shown below.
Materials
- 1 x 12 (11.5″) x 10′ Cedar Board: One piece
- 5/16″ x 6″ x 30″ Plywood: One piece
- 1 1/2″ Wood Screws: 1/4 lb.
- 3/4″ Wood Screws: 1/8 lb.
- 1 1/4″ Kreg Screws: 1/4 lb. (Optional)
- 1/4″ x 20 Hex Bolts (4) with Nuts (4) and Washers (12)
- 90 degree Hinges: 2
- Sandpaper
Tools
- Table Saw
- Belt Sander or 120 grit sandpaper and a block (320 grit for finish sanding)
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Miter Saw
- Band Saw
- Power Drill with DeWalt 9/64 Tapered Bit with Plug Cutter for Pilot Holes
- Router with Round-over Bit
- Kreg Pocket Hole System (Optional)
- Screw Gun
- Two Clamps: Bar Clamps and a Gripping Clamp
You may need to train your chickens to operate the treadle properly, usually setting a rock on it for a few days is all that is needed. If you want to try building your own you can see the complete tutorial at the following link.
