Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Home made protein feeder?

I’d like to start feeding some protein on a farm I have. I don’t want to spend a lot of money so I’ll build it myself. I’ve got barrels, and I can weld and cut whatever is needed. Do you guys have a picture of what works well to keep the feed from getting wet? I’ve not been around them. I found a few on the wed but I don’t know if they work well or are a good design. Obviously I’m talking about an on demand feeder and not a spin cast type. If you’ve got pictures that would be even better.

I am feeding on a small scale so I only have 2 “redneck” feeders made of pvc 6”-8”sewer pipe. Pipe sits vertical, push fit into a 45. Used shear to cut mesh screen to fit into bottom of 45. Used screws through fitting below the screen to keep it in place. PVC end cap on top to keep water out.

Depending on the rain it still gets a little wet. May work on a small flashing to cover the feed access. Most of the time it works just fine and I watch the weather for refills.

I’ll post a pic later but I am willing to bet you want something larger.

This might help.



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top one is a 600# free choice, bottom one is 1000# free choice, they are not hard to build just takes time and metal, we sandblast ours about every 10 years and re paint, both these are due. Rio7

I like those. I built one out of a barrel that's going to hold about 350 pounds. I'm afraid that it's not going to hold enough, but I'm going to set it up and try it anyway. If it empties too quickly I'll weld another barrel on top of it so it should take it to about 650-700 pounds.

Rio, I like yours, but I don't have the time for that amount of metal work anymore. If I still had access to a metal break and some of my old tools I could pop one together pretty quick, but now I just don't have everything I need in one place. I'm going to save those pictures, though.

Several companies make the feeder head to convert a barrel to a protein feeder that would save a lot of work. I would put a funnel in it in case the protein gets wet and clumps up. We have had this happen from wind blown rain before.

I looked around, but ended up with a closet flange for a toilet and a tee that I screwed together. They’re 4” and schedule 40 so they should be hell for stout. The barrel I used has a built in funnel since it was used for powdered iron in a plant where I live. I guess I’ll see if it works and make changes if it doesn’t.

You could make this out of PVC, attach to a barrel.

I've used a 4"x 4-5' length of pvc pipe with a press on cap for the top to keep rain out and I put a 90 degree elbow on the bottom with a 1 foot piece extending from the elbow. When I glued the foot long piece into the elbow I then cut the remaining length in half lengthwise. I just used wire or ratchet strap to secure to a tree or put a post in the ground. I also painted the pvc so the white didn't stand out. Works good as just a gravity feeder. Had a bear take it once but not to far once the corn fell out he ate his dinner. It's also cheap.

That’s really close to what I built.

Looks good. Do you mind telling me what parts those are and where you got them?

The 4-way part looks like Boss Buck brand protein feeder.

It is a Big Boss, home made varmint discourager is wood splicers. I made the metal part. I’d sell that for fifty bucks plus shipping if anyone wanted it. I don’t protein feed anymore.

oklahomahunter check academy they have the gravity feeder tubes for I think 40$. If ya got the barrels and everything else this may be easiest way to go. I hunt about hour north or OKC. What about ya self

Typically about a mile and a half north of the red river.

I bought a toilet flange and a wye, screwed them together, and screwed it to the bottom of the barrel. It’s been doing a good job for a couple of months. I think I had about $15 in those parts and $30 for a leg kit that was on sale. I usually build my own, but I’m not doing it for $30.

$45 all in worked for me and the deer don’t seem to mind.