Feeders for pigs: from trough to automatic. Trough for pigs and piglets Wooden trough for pigs

A properly made feeder is the key to successful pig rearing for a farmer. Also, the correctness of their creation directly affects the complexity of the process of raising these animals.

Basic requirements for the product

Farmers should remember that a well-made product greatly reduces costs. After all, it is difficult to spill food from a good feeder (and pigs love to do this), it will not rot, causing leakage of wet food, and most importantly, it will be extremely convenient to use.

Before creating a feeder, you should study a set of unspoken, but extremely important sanitary rules, otherwise animals will get sick, products will break, and the farmer’s business will suffer losses on a huge scale:

1 Feeders must be kept clean

This is a key requirement, so how easy it is to clean the feeders after the pigs eat will be very important. The main thing is not only to be able to easily get to hard to reach places, but also high-quality cleaning of the product from food debris, other dirt, etc. So you should also pay serious attention to the material of the feeder.

2 Pigs must not be able to get into the food compartment

This applies even to small piglets, otherwise they will deposit waste products into the feed and bring in dirt or debris. And this means 100 percent occurrence of bacteria, the presence of worm eggs and much more.

Good way to protect the feeder from pigs entering - be careful about the height of the front wall. Due to their short legs, pigs are not inclined to jump, so this approach will several times reduce the desire of boars to climb into the feeder and make a mess there.

3 Feed should not spill

Therefore, it is necessary to make a certain recess in the feeder and protect the food with the side walls from being scattered by animals. However, this is just an example, and a more precise structure will be created in the drawings.

It is also important to remember that the liquid food compartments must be sealed. If the liquid leaks, it will increase the humidity in the room. Such situations have a negative impact on the health of pigs, and, consequently, bring losses for the owner.

4 Pigs should have as much access to feed as possible

A feeder with cut/beveled corners will work great. But a completely round feeder is completely ideal solution.

However, problems with its stability may arise (there are not many ways to achieve this in such conditions). On the other hand, if a round feeder is stable, it will most likely be heavy. This means that it will be more difficult to wash, clean, carry, etc.

5 Other nuances

It is advisable that the feeder be inclined. This will allow food debris to always accumulate in one place, and not be scattered throughout the entire area.

The product must be made of such material that it does not deteriorate from exposure to the sun and/or heat. There is nothing worse for animals than melted plastic or rusted metal. It is also important that no toxic substances are released during operation: this is critically important for young piglets and sows.

The edges of the structure must be completely safe for animals. The probability of cutting yourself is 100%, because pigs are not very neat animals, as well as clumsy.

Feeders, if used for different feeds, should be divided into sections: for dry feed and for liquid feed. If you need to provide pigs with drink, then for this you need to create separate structures - special drinking bowls.

The best solution the size and type of construction will be such that several heads can feed at once. Vessels are also needed for small piglets and adult boars different sizes.

It is impossible to raise a piglet into a mature pig using one size feeder. There must be several of them: an adult will not be able to get its muzzle into a small hole, just as a small piglet simply will not reach the food in a large vessel.

For piglets, you can make a feeder with a canopy: due to their small stature, they will have access to food without problems, but adult pigs will not be able to do this.

Required dimensions

To make a pig feeder with your own hands, you need to understand the dimensions of the structure. They fluctuate greatly and depend on many factors:

number of goals;
type of pigs (piglets, adult pigs, sow, young animals, etc.);
breed of pigs (directly affects the size and height of the sides in the feeders);
dimensions of the room where animals are bred, etc.

adult pigs: 500 mm for dry feed, 400 mm for liquid feed;
weaned piglets: 300 mm for dry feed and 250 for liquid feed;
suckling piglets: 150 mm for all types of feed with a front board height of 100 mm.

Concerning length, it depends on the age of each individual:

suckling piglets – 150 mm;
young animals up to 5 months – 250 mm;
young animals from 5 months – 300 mm;
sow – 400 mm;
adult boar – 450-500 mm.

For a large number of heads, it is best to make one long feeder. This will ensure continuity of nutrition and ease of feed consumption.

Wooden pig trough

One of the most environmentally friendly materials for making a feeder - this is wood. It will not require large financial costs, and you can get by with a minimum of tools.

Boards can also be used of the third grade, since the wooden trough is disposable - literally for the life of one piglet, i.e. from 7 months to a year. In order to ensure disinfection, such a trough is then burned. A new trough is made for the new piglet.

The main disadvantage of wooden feeders is their poor moisture resistance.

The first version of a wooden trough

To make a wooden trough you will need:

front and rear walls: board 1 m long, 20 cm wide and at least 3 cm thick – 2 pcs.;
side walls: board 40 cm long, 20 cm wide and at least 3 cm thick – 2 pcs.;
bottom: board 1 m long, 25 cm wide and at least 3 cm thick – 1 pc.;
screws, nails;
screwdriver, hammer;
saw (circular or hand), jigsaw, jointer, planer and similar tools.

Here is a drawing of the trough with dimensions (in mm):

Work order:

This trough is designed for 2 buckets of feed for two piglets. For added strength, attach a cross beam in the middle.

You can learn more about the manufacturing technology of such a feeder by watching the video below:

To prevent the trough from leaking, you can lay twine in the joints during assembly.

Second version of a wooden trough

A pig feeder can also be made from two boards connected at an angle:

You will need:

2 edged boards rectangular shape the same length;
2 triangular parts that will be the end walls of the feeder;
3 bars with a cross-section of 20x50 mm, equal in length to the width of the finished trough;
2 beams 50x100 mm for support.

Assembly sequence:

The feeder is ready!

Plastic barrel feeder

Industrial companies purchase necessary equipment and containers from suppliers, but for a small number of pigs you can make a feeder yourself.

And most importantly - completely free, not counting the tools. One of the most simple options considered to be a feeder made from a plastic barrel.

Using an unnecessary barrel, you can make an excellent feeder for pigs. However, first of all, you need to make sure that no toxic or poisonous substances were stored in the plastic barrel (it will be incredibly difficult to get rid of the chemical residue). If the keg is made of food-grade plastic, this is a huge plus.

Manufacturing option

The scheme for creating a feeder is very simple and consists of a couple of steps that can be completed in literally 1-2 hours. To work you will need:

marker and ruler;
saw, jigsaw or grinder;
wooden blocks;
screwdriver and screws;
sandpaper.

Manufacturing process:

Using a ruler and marker, you need to mark the barrel.
Using a saw, jigsaw or grinder, cut the barrel in half according to the markings.
The cut parts should be secured using self-tapping screws on wooden blocks. This will seriously increase the stability of the future feeder.
Sharp edges need to be sanded down to prevent the animals from getting hurt.

Pros:

the easiest way to make a pig feeder;
minimum costs;
ease and efficiency of use;
easy to carry and clean.

Minuses:

pigs can climb entirely into the feeder without any problems;
very unstable;
plastic can release harmful gases when exposed to the scorching sun (you must be careful when choosing the location for installing such a feeder).

Feeder from a gas cylinder

Another way to create a feeder, similar to the previous one, is from a gas cylinder. It’s not for nothing that this type of feeder is included in a separate item: compared to analogues made of plastic or wood, the cylinder consists of heavy-duty metal. Welded to iron frame, this design will last 20 and even 30 years.

Required tools:

grinder or hacksaw;
welding machine;
other materials as needed.

Manufacturing process:

The first step is to open the valve completely to make sure that there is no gas left in the cylinder.
This point should under no circumstances be ignored, otherwise an explosion may occur when cutting the container. Follow safety precautions when creating feeders: even a piece of wood when working with a saw can fly off and get into vulnerable places on the body (eyes, throat).
Then the valve is cut off from the cylinder using a grinder or a hacksaw.
After these steps, you should fill the container with water and rinse it this way several times (to wash off the condensation). It is better to drain the flushing water in places far from people and animals, because the condensate from the gas can be quite bright and bad smell. To protect bystanders as much as possible from toxic fumes, you can pour water directly into the sewer.
Further gas cylinder it is necessary to cut it with a grinder into 2 equal (for adults) or unequal (for boars and piglets, respectively) parts.
Additionally, metal rods can be welded across the container - they will not allow the pigs to get into the confines of the feeder.
To increase stability, it is enough to weld a metal (or knock down a wooden) frame.

It is better to weld the feeder from a gas cylinder at a slight angle to make it easier for pigs to consume feed.

Another way to make a pig feeder from a balloon is shown in the video below:

Advantages:

significant structural stability;
durability;
variability during creation (you can add or change many details without worrying that the design will break);
Complete immunity to sun rays or excessively high/low temperatures.

Flaws:

may rust if you do not take care of cleaning;
difficult transportation;
It will be extremely difficult to make such a feeder without special skills;
at high temperatures the metal heats up and can cause burns when touched (but when installed under a canopy, the problem is solved).

Hopper metal (welded) feeder

Such a feeder is a bunker for food and a tray into which it will flow evenly. Making such a structure is quite difficult. But the advantages of this bunker feeder are that:

the farmer's time for servicing the livestock is reduced (feeding occurs in a semi-automatic mode, since the feeder replenishes itself, and feed is replenished only when the bunker is empty);
metal washes well and is easily disinfected with special means.

First version of the feeder

To make it you will need:

2 iron pipes with a diameter of 310 mm (or two old gas cylinders);
4 pieces of metal to make the ends of the trough;
metal corner for legs;
metal reinforcement for crossbars;
Bulgarian;
welding machine with electrodes.

Sequence of work:

The following video shows a mini version of such a feeder:

Second version of the feeder

Necessary materials and tools:

steel or aluminum sheets about 3 mm thick;
a metal pipe 1 m long and at least 60 cm in diameter, otherwise the container will be too small;
Bulgarian;
welding machine with electrodes.

Here is an approximate drawing of this feeder:

Stage 1. Make a metal trough:

cut the pipe in half lengthwise;
Attach the plugs from the ends using welding.

From metal sheet Using a grinder, cut out 4 parts for the bunker according to the diagram.
Weld 3 sides of the bunker.
On the fourth wall, make a “cone” - a special rod that, when touched by pigs, moves and breaks the compacted food in the bunker:
- On inner side Weld 2 nuts flat on the walls of the bunker in the center at the top and bottom and on them with the end of the nut.
- Thread the reinforcement rod into the nuts.
- Weld 2 transverse sections onto it.
- Bend the lower part of the reinforcement with a hook; it will be in the feeder.
Assemble the bunker by welding the last, fourth wall with a cutter.

How the bunker is assembled is shown in the video below:

Stage 3. Connect the hopper to the trough using welding. Secure the feeder to the wall or floor, otherwise the pigs may knock it over. Ready!

Feeders made from such pipes are resistant to corrosion and rotting.

Materials and tools:

ceramic pipe with a diameter of 450 mm;
concrete: M500 cement, sand and crushed stone in a ratio of 1:2:3;
cement mortar: M500 cement and 5 buckets of sand;
boards for molds for concrete supports;
reinforcing bars with a diameter of 15 and 20 mm (for fencing grilles and holders, respectively);
2 plastic plugs for pipes (for example, external for transporting pipes with a diameter of 450 mm);
Bulgarian;
welding machine with electrodes;
tape measure, marker for marking.

Dimensions in mm

Manufacturing procedure:

The feeder is ready!

Mobile bunker feeder (winter version)

This is an excellent option for keeping a large number of pigs in winter outdoors. It is easy to move this feeder as it glides on the snow. The only condition is that the winter must be snowy.

You will need:

plastic barrel with a capacity of 200 l;
a pair of old skis;
plywood about 12 mm thick (you will need pieces of 1250 x 600 mm - 1 piece, 355 x 500 mm - 2 pieces, 550 x 600 mm - 1 piece and 420 x 600 mm - 2 pieces);
1 board 50 mm x 350 mm x 2.5 m;
1 board 50 mm x 180 mm x 2.1 m;
1 board 50 mm x 130 mm x 1.2 m;
1 beam 50 mm x 150 mm x 1.4 m;
1 beam 50 mm x 80 mm x 5 m;
hammer and nails;
screwdriver and wood screws;
jigsaw;
two sets door hinges with a width of 7 cm;
belt with ratchet mechanism.

Manufacturing sequence:

Saw a board 350 mm wide into 2 equal parts 1.25 m long. Cut the corners on both sides according to the diagram to create a trapezoid. Do the same with the second part of the board. You will get two trapezoids like this:
Take a 50 x 150 mm timber and cut it into two sections, each 700 mm long. Cut grooves in each block as shown in the diagram below:
Take a board that measures 50 x 130 mm and cut it into two sections of 600 mm each. Connect the two trapezoids obtained earlier to each other by nailing a piece of board at each end. Install the crossbars that were made from timber in the previous step into the grooves.
Turn the structure over and nail a sheet of plywood measuring 1250 x 600 mm onto the base.
For rigidity, attach crossbars to the bottom: on both sides and in the center. The boards should protrude slightly beyond the edges of the feeder. They can be any width, but the wider, the more stable the structure will be. IN in this case Three boards 50 x 180 mm and 700 mm long each were taken.
Remove the bindings from the skis. Screw skis to the bottom of the feeder (fasten them in three points in the area of the crossbars).
Make a “Λ” shaped structure by fastening two pieces of plywood (355 x 500 mm each) at right angles using furniture glue, and secure it in the center of the feeder with an upward angle.
Furniture glue coat the ends of the structure obtained above and secure it in the center of the feeder (see photo below). Let the glue dry.
Seal all seams in the feeder with silicone and leave to dry overnight.
Attach a piece of plywood (550 x 600 mm) with a round slot in the middle using nails on top. The diameter of the slot will coincide with the diameter of the bottom plastic barrel.
In the photo, the slot is made in rough form. Then, using a jigsaw, we shape the hole to perfection.
Cut off the bottom of the barrel, leaving a bend at the bottom for better grain movement.
In the photo, the edges of the barrel are not cleared of chips and still have unevenness.
Cut a trough lid measuring 420 x 600 mm from plywood and hinge it. Do the same on the other side.
Secure the barrel to the feeder. Seal the connection between the barrel and the feeder with silicone putty. Additionally, wrap the bottom of the barrel with roofing waterproofing or other moisture-resistant material.
To prevent pigs from knocking down the food storage container, make side supports at least 2/3 of the height of the barrel. To make such supports you will need a 50 x 80 mm beam. Cut it into the following pieces: 4 pcs. 800 mm long and 6 pcs. 300 mm long. Cut the grooves to size as shown in the diagram below:
Connect the supports using a strap to the ratchet (tie the remaining end of the strap around the ratchet and tie it so the ratchet doesn't move on its own). To prevent the belt from slipping, secure it wooden blocks, on self-tapping screws.

The feeder is ready!

General form and a top view (if you look into the barrel)

Other feeders

There are so many things you can create designs for pigs. They have proven themselves to be excellent water pipes from PVC (polyvinyl chloride):

created using the technique mentioned above;
you can measure the length of the future feeder by centimeters;
cheap material;
ease of creation and operation.

However, the most common types are bunker feeders. They are purchased from large farms as professional equipment, but creating such a design yourself is quite problematic.

This type of feeder is distinguished by its very complex structure: the presence of a container for creating a supply of food, automatic feeding (with a regularly set dosage), many protective walls made of durable plastic (completely safe for people and animals; resistant to corrosion), etc.

Purchasing raw materials alone to create a bunker feeder will cost a pretty penny. And if you create a structure using not the best metal/plastic, then very soon the first ones will appear negative influences for pigs. Does a farmer need sick animals? Not at all.

That is why it is much more profitable to buy such a feeder and manually create structures that are simpler in structure.

If you take a responsible approach to the process of creating feeders for pigs, any materials that are safe for animals will be suitable. A competent farmer will always think of everything Negative consequences, after which it will reduce the risk to a minimum. And although simple feed containers seem like a stupid idea, they do their job of feeding pigs flawlessly.

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To avoid extra costs When breeding pigs, you can build a pigsty yourself and equip it inside with everything you need, including drinking bowls and feeders for pigs. In this case, you can use scrap materials that have accumulated in your household, or, if necessary, buy new inexpensive building materials. In any case, arranging a pigsty and, in particular, making drinking bowls and feeders for pigs with your own hands will allow you to significantly reduce costs, even if it takes some time.

How to properly set up a pigsty

When designing a barn for pigs with or without separate pens, make sure that the animals live comfortably and that caring for the farm does not cause unnecessary difficulties. Make drinking bowls and feeders for wet or dry food so that they provide pigs with free access to feed and water, but prevent them from becoming clogged with animal waste products, and so that the containers can be easily cleaned at any time.

Make drinking bowls and feeders for wet or dry food so that they provide free access for pigs

You can build a pig shed from wood, brick, adobe, or cinder blocks. The main thing is not to use concrete and reinforced concrete, as they have poor thermal conductivity. Ruberoid or slate is suitable for the roof, and the ceiling itself will need to be insulated. It is also advisable to make the floor insulated (you can lay unplaned boards, covering them with straw) and be sure to provide a slight slope of the floor surface towards a groove dug near the wall to drain pig excrement.

Video about a pig drinking bowl

Sufficient height for a pigsty is about two meters. The area depends on how many pigs you intend to keep.

In order to maintain cleanliness, it is recommended to arrange a feeding area with feeders and drinking bowls in one half of the pigsty, and raise the other half slightly above the floor level and adapt it for resting animals.

For pregnant females, sows and breeding boars, it is advisable to make separate pens equipped with individual drinkers and feeders. For one pig you will need a pen with an area of three to four square meters, and for sows with piglets - at least five square meters.

IN summer time to ventilate the pigsty it will be enough to hold open windows and doors leading to the walking area, in winter it is necessary to take care of making the simplest ventilation from metal pipe, brought out through the window opening from the barn to the street. In addition, in winter you will need to provide heating for the pigsty, since comfortable temperature for pigs it should be at least 13 degrees, and for newborn piglets - from 18 degrees.

For pregnant females, sows and breeding boars, it is advisable to make separate pens equipped with individual drinkers and feeders

How to make pig feeders with your own hands: options and tips

Often, pig farmers at home use ordinary metal or wooden troughs as feeders. But neither one nor the other troughs are short-lived: wooden troughs fail within a year, and troughs made of galvanized steel sheets are destroyed by corrosion after a couple of years. So farmers have to be resourceful, coming up with various options feeders with a longer service life:

an asbestos-cement pipe sawn lengthwise can be used as a trough, attaching wooden semicircles-plugs at the end, and covering the upper edges of the pipe with galvanized iron for greater strength;
A feeder made from a regular gas cylinder can last for more than twenty years, but first you need to drain the condensate from it by turning the cylinder upside down and unscrewing the tap with a key. You can cut the balloon into two equal halves with a grinder, or make one part of a larger volume for pigs, and the second of a smaller volume for piglets;
for dry food it is more convenient to use those made from aluminum sheets bunker feeders with inclined walls that ensure a gradual supply of fresh food (you can easily find drawings on the Internet).

For dry food, it is more convenient to use hopper feeders made of aluminum sheets with inclined walls.

The food in homemade feeders will stay clean longer if you weld jumpers or steel rods across long metal troughs so that the animals can easily reach the food, but cannot climb into the trough with their feet.

At self-production Feeders for pigs are usually made about 30-40 cm wide, up to 25 cm deep, and the length is chosen at your discretion. It is more convenient when the front and rear walls of the feeders are located at an angle to the floor, which makes the upper part of the feeder wider than the bottom. Rear wall It is better to do it at a sharper angle than the front one, then the pigs will throw out food less with “digging” movements of their heads.

Drawings and photos of trough types: bunker, wooden, asbestos-cement pipe or gas cylinder

Wooden feeder
Hopper feeder
Feeder from a gas cylinder
Feeder made of asbestos-cement pipe
Bunker option for several pigs

Video about pig feeders

What types of pig drinking bowls are there?

Basins and cups used as drinkers on private farms are increasingly being replaced by convenient nipple or nipple drinkers. Although cup drinkers allow you to save water, dirt and food debris accumulate in them very quickly, which is why you have to constantly monitor the cleanliness of the container and change the water frequently.

Nipple drinking systems have a rather complex automatic design, which includes a water treatment unit, a pressure regulator, water supply pipes and a mechanical filter. It is not easy to make such a design yourself; it is easier to purchase a nipple or nipple drinker. Just when purchasing, try to choose the appropriate nipple size according to the age of the pigs, and secure the drinker to optimal height at an angle - this will make it easier for animals to drink, and there will be less water spillage. As you can see, there are tricks not only in making pig feeders with your own hands, but also in creating drinking bowls.

Such food containers, like feeders, are intended for daily feeding of the animal. Because of this, the health of the pig will also directly depend on it. After all, if such containers are constantly dirty, then the animal will definitely get sick sooner or later. To maintain the health of piglets, when using feeders you should follow a few simple rules. These rules apply to all types of structures and are mandatory to comply with.

General sanitary standards

The pig feeding container should always be kept clean. To do this, you should adhere to one very simple rule, namely, such a device should be easy to clean and wash.
Then the feeder constantly gets clogged. Such clogging must be prevented in advance.
It is very bad if food constantly spills out of the container. It is necessary to prevent dry food from spilling out and wet food from pouring out.
For different types feed must be taken different types containers, and drinking water is given only from the drinking bowl.
The main requirement for a container for liquid food is its tightness. After all, the constant leakage of liquid will not only bring economic loss to the owner, but will also constantly clog the pigsty. Thus, the humidity in it will always be high, and this is also bad for pigs.
The design of the device for feeding piglets must be such that the animal can easily reach the feed. The best option containers with beveled edges or rounded corners are considered.
It will be good if you install the container at an angle. Thus, the leftover food will always be collected in one place and if the animal doesn’t finish eating, the owner can easily remove it.

Common sizes

When purchasing or making feeders for piglets, you should remember that their size should constantly change throughout the life of the animal. So, for example, small and low containers are perfect for small piglets, and, on the contrary, large containers for large ones. Then, if there are a lot of pigs, it is better to install long troughs as feeders. This way, all the pigs can eat at the same time. At the same time, it is also worth dividing the trough into compartments with jumpers so that animals cannot climb into it.

Table of norms for the width of feeders for animals of different ages Table of norms for the length of feeders for pigs of different ages

Do it yourself

Based on the number of pigs and their age, as well as the type of food they will be given, several types of feeders can be made. The first type is ordinary feeders for piglets and pigs. These include various types of simple containers, such as: a basin, a trough, etc. The second most common type when feeding dry food is automatic designs, which are also called bunkers.

There, the feed is supplied automatically depending on how much the pig eats. But this type of feeder is quite difficult to build, so we will look at simpler options. In addition, no matter what kind of feeder you build, it can be fixed, mobile, individual or for a group of pigs. Here the decision is yours.

From a plastic barrel

If you have an old large plastic barrel lying around that no one needs, then do not rush to throw it away. It will make an excellent feeder for wild boars, pigs and piglets, you can see an example in the photo. But before making a food container out of a barrel, you should be 100% sure that no toxic substances were stored in it.

Tools

plastic barrel large sizes;
several wooden blocks;
screws;
pencil or marker;
jigsaw;
sanding paper.

Manufacturing

From a gas cylinder

If you have an old gas cylinder lying around at home, then don’t rush to sell it for scrap. It will make an excellent and durable feeder that will last about 20 years.

Tools and materials

old gas cylinder;
a brush and soap solution to check the remaining gas in the cylinder;
a bucket of water or other container with water (you will need a lot of water);
hacksaw for metal;
Bulgarian;
reinforcement bars;
some metal corners;
gas-burner;
welding machine.

Manufacturing

From a piece of pipe

You can also simply make a feeder if you have a piece of asbestos-cement or ceramic pipe lying around. Such materials are also durable, as they do not corrode.

Drawing of a pipe feeder: 1 - ceramic half-pipe; 2 - concrete support; 3 — protective grille; 4 - holders.

Tools and materials

a piece of pipe (its length depends on the number of pigs);
several pieces of boards or prepare cement mortar;
reinforcement bars with a diameter of 15 mm;
welding machine;
Bulgarian;
Master OK;
saw or jigsaw.

Manufacturing

We take a piece of pipe and saw it lengthwise in the same way as in the case of a gas cylinder. The pipe diameter should be about 220 mm.
It is better to choose a feeder from a pigsty permanent place, since it will not be removable. IN in the right place We are preparing a concrete support for it.
We install the pipe and put plugs at both ends. The plugs can also be made of concrete or made from pieces of boards.
To prevent the pig from getting into the feeder, you need to make a mesh from reinforcement that will be installed above the feeder. At this point, the feeder is ready, and you can examine its design in more detail in the drawing.

What other options exist?

We have already examined several simple options for pig feeders in detail. But it should be said that there are quite a lot of variations of such designs. So, for example, you yourself can easily make an automatic feeder for pigs from several galvanized sheets of tin. Then you can use any convenient container for this or make a completely wooden trough. And finally, you yourself can easily come up with your own version of the design for animals based on available means and general recommendations which are given above.

Photo gallery

Video “DIY pig feeder”

Most farmers are not afraid of hard physical labor, preferring to do everything with their own hands. Everyone knows that it is not enough to build a pigsty, it also needs to be properly equipped for the animals in order to provide them with everything they need. Pig feeders are important elements interior design pig farm.

Pig feeders must meet certain requirements. Since such a device will be used daily, the health of pets will depend on it. If the farmer does not monitor the cleanliness of the containers, then with each new feeding the likelihood of disease in pigs increases. Even over a short period of time, bacteria can develop in the remains of food products given to piglets, worms and their eggs, and other pathogens can get there. In this regard, it is always necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the feeder from which pigs eat, especially if they are young animals. They should be cleaned and treated regularly hot water with detergents.

Since the feeder needs constant access not only for the animals, but also for the farmer, their design should be comfortable and not heavy.

The next mandatory point when installing a feeder is that it often becomes clogged with food. If the vessel has deep corners, it will be very difficult to clean out the residue. If cleaning is incomplete, bacteria and fungi will develop in these places.

It should also be taken into account that animals do not eat food carefully. In this case, the design of the feeder must be stable so that it does not turn over. It is imperative to place a feeder that has sides so that the food does not spill out. When the piglets have eaten everything from it, they will begin to eat from the ground what was spilled.

For each type of feed, depending on the volume, you should select the appropriate type of feeder.

If you decide to make a feeder with your own hands, then very important factor when selecting a design for feeding pigs, these are the height and sides of the vessel. Because they breed on farms different breeds piglets, then they accordingly have different physical parameters. Some species may be taller and larger, others will be shorter but eat less. Feeders for pigs should be such that it is convenient for the animals to eat from them. If pigs have thick necks and are tall, then the feeder itself needs to be raised an order of magnitude higher than for younger piglets.

For small piglets, you can make a separate feeder, which will be more convenient for them. It is advisable that it be at the level of the animal's chest. This way they won't have to bend over and will stand straight. This is useful for young animals, as it affects the development of the musculoskeletal system.

The best option for installing sides are beveled or rounded edges. Then it will be convenient for the animals to get to the products that are poured into the container. Also, if you make the feeders with your own hands, then it is advisable to take into account the possibility of the structure being located at a slight slope. When the container is at an angle, all the food will collect in one deepest place. This is convenient for the animals, and if they haven’t finished eating some of the food, it’s much easier to put it back into separate containers and reuse it.

When pig feeders are made by hand, then special drawings with the dimensions of the structure are usually used. Always remember that sizes will vary depending on the age of the animal itself, as piglets grow quite quickly.

It is best if the owners have the opportunity to equip the pigsty with two types of feeders at once. You can install a separate container for young animals, and separate dishes for older individuals. However, they will not interfere with each other. If you feed them from the same feeder, the adult animals will push the babies away and may step on or crush them, causing damage. As a result, separating animals during feeding is considered appropriate.

In a pigsty where there are many individuals of the same age, you can install long, deep troughs with your own hands. This way the animals will be able to eat together without pushing each other out. And to prevent the piglets from getting inside the trough (this happens), it can be conditionally divided into sectors same size, placing floors made of boards. If necessary, they can be easily removed to free up space.

Depending on the number of pigs that will feed from the container, you need to calculate the length of the structure. Thus, for piglets at 2 months of age, a space of 10-20 centimeters is needed, for individuals up to 5 months about 30. For a sow, the width of the gap is required on average 40 centimeters, and for a large boar it is 10-15 centimeters more, since they are wider at the withers. The depth is usually up to 30 cm.

What are the varieties?

Based on the above parameters, a farmer can make a feeder with his own hands, as this is not a difficult task. The structures themselves come in two types.

The first type, a simple vessel, without additional accessories- this is an ordinary basin, a trough.

The second type is automatic, they can also be called bunker. Hopper feeders for pigs can automatically calculate the amount of feed consumed by animals, dispensing it in portions. Making them yourself is problematic, since the drawings are much more complex than usual. They are convenient and are in wide demand on farms. They can be purchased in specialized stores.

Video “Biner feeders for pig farms”

From the manufacturer's story you will learn how the bunker feeder functions and what its advantages are.

How to do it yourself

You can decide for yourself how to install the structure you make yourself. This is for convenience only. You can make a fixed form or a mobile one, tilted or standing straight - it doesn’t matter.

To work, you will need to prepare the material itself, and from which a container and a special tool will be made.

Let's look at several ways to make a pig feeder with your own hands from scrap material.

From plastic bottles

The advantage of plastic bottles over a regular wooden feeder is that this material does not swell, it does not rot, and it is also very lightweight. Unlike metal, it does not corrode. Using plastic bottles, you can make a separate vessel for feeding one animal.

You will need to use large volume bottles - 10 liters. The bottle is cut into two parts. The part with the neck is completely removed. Both parts are connected by opposite sides and secured with glue. It turns out to be a small plastic trough. It is convenient to install on required height for little piglets while they are growing. A simple way without extra costs.

From PVC pipes

PVC pipes are often used because they already have an elongated shape. This makes it easier to prepare a feeder for a large number of individuals.

It is important to use larger diameter pipes to ensure the container is large enough to hold the feed.

The PVC pipe must be cut lengthwise, and then the plugs must be secured to the ends of the structure. This will prevent liquid products from leaking out. You can use large-capacity PVC barrels.

From old cylinders

A feeding container can be made from old gas cylinders. If you no longer need the cylinder, it can be used for other purposes. The feeder will be durable, serving the animals for 20-25 years.

Please note that metal processing will take longer and will also require electric tool for cutting. Before cutting, you need to leave the cylinder outside for a day, first opening the valve so that the rest of the gas comes out. If he stays in liquid state, it may ignite when cutting. Be sure to follow safety precautions here.

Before cutting, lubricate the valve with soapy water. If bubbles do not appear, then you can start working.

You need to secure the cylinder to the ground and cut it along the structure. You can apply markings so as not to get lost while working.

Based on your needs, you can mark the cylinder accordingly and cut it into a suitable shape. For example, you can make a larger part of the cylinder for adult animals, and a smaller part for young animals. To cut, you need to take a grinder with a metal cutting disc.

After cutting, you burn the metal so that there is no smell, and then install it in the right place. This design is quite heavy, so it is better to immediately think through the entire work process.

Have you decided to get one or more pigs? Have you prepared a shed for them and think that this will be enough? But you will definitely need feeders for pigs, which, if desired, can be easily constructed with your own hands.

General design requirements

General sanitary standards

The pig feeding container should always be kept clean. To do this, you should adhere to one very simple rule, namely, such a device should be easy to clean and wash.
Then the feeder constantly gets clogged. Such clogging must be prevented in advance.
It is very bad if food constantly spills out of the container. It is necessary to prevent dry food from spilling out and wet food from pouring out.
For different types of feed, it is necessary to take different types of containers, and drinking water is given only from the drinking bowl.
The main requirement for a container for liquid food is its tightness. After all, the constant leakage of liquid will not only bring economic loss to the owner, but will also constantly clog the pigsty. Thus, the humidity in it will always be high, and this is also bad for pigs.
The design of the device for feeding piglets must be such that the animal can easily reach the feed. The best option is considered to be containers with beveled edges or rounded corners.
It will be good if you install the container at an angle. Thus, the leftover food will always be collected in one place and if the animal doesn’t finish eating, the owner can easily remove it.

Common sizes

Table of norms for the width of feeders for animals of different ages

Table of norms for the length of feeders for pigs of different ages

Do it yourself

Based on the number of pigs and their age, as well as the type of food they will be given, several types of feeders can be made. The first type is ordinary feeders for piglets and pigs. These include various types of simple containers, such as a basin, a trough, etc. The second most common type when feeding dry food is automatic structures, which are also called bunkers.

From a plastic barrel

Tools

large plastic barrel;
several wooden blocks;
screws;
pencil or marker;
jigsaw;
sanding paper.

Manufacturing

Depending on the size of the barrel, we divide it into several sectors. In our case, three at once.

1. Marking a plastic barrel; 2. Attaching wooden blocks to parts of the barrel

According to the markings, cut the barrel with a jigsaw into three equal parts.
We also cut off all sharp corners and clean off any burrs with sandpaper.
For the legs, we cut two even bars and fasten them with screws to the side walls of the improvised container. On this homemade feeder ready.

From a gas cylinder

If you have an old gas cylinder lying around at home, then don’t rush to sell it for scrap. It will make an excellent and durable feeder that will last about 20 years.

Tools and materials

old gas cylinder;
a brush and soap solution to check the remaining gas in the cylinder;
a bucket of water or other container with water (you will need a lot of water);
hacksaw for metal;
Bulgarian;
reinforcement bars;
several metal corners;
gas-burner;
welding machine.

Manufacturing

Take the gas cylinder and open the valve completely. If there is a little gas left, wait for it to come out completely. To check, we use a soap solution, which we apply to the outlet hole with a brush. If a bubble does not appear after this, then there is no gas left and you can start working.
Now we turn the cylinder on its side and use a hacksaw to cut off the brass valve cleanly. Here we need an assistant. While you are sawing, someone will need to water the cut area to prevent heat and sparks.

Next, fill the balloon to the top with water through the hole formed. At the same time, the container is constantly shaken to wash away the condensation inside. Then we pour the water and condensate away from the house.
We determine the capacity of the future trough. For example, if you need one feeder for pigs and one for piglets, then we divide the container into two parts, one of which will be smaller and the second larger. If you need a feeder for wild boars and pigs, then simply divide the container in half lengthwise.
When you decide on the dimensions, we cut the balloon with a grinder.
To prevent the pig from climbing into the feeder, reinforcement bars are welded on top.
To finally get rid of the smell of gas, we burn the feeder with a gas burner.
Then we weld the legs from the reinforcement so that the container does not turn over, and this completes the production.

From a piece of pipe

You can also simply make a feeder if you have a piece of asbestos-cement or ceramic pipe lying around. Such materials are also durable, as they do not corrode.

Drawing of a pipe feeder: 1 - ceramic half-pipe; 2 - concrete support; 3 — protective grille; 4 - holders.

Tools and materials

a piece of pipe (its length depends on the number of pigs);
several pieces of boards or prepare cement mortar;
reinforcement bars with a diameter of 15 mm;
welding machine;
Bulgarian;
Master OK;
saw or jigsaw.

Manufacturing

We take a piece of pipe and saw it lengthwise in the same way as in the case of a gas cylinder. The pipe diameter should be about 220 mm.
It is better to choose a permanent place for the feeder in the pigsty, since it will not be removable. We prepare a concrete support for it in the right place.
We install the pipe and put plugs at both ends. The plugs can also be made of concrete or made from pieces of boards.
To prevent the pig from getting into the feeder, you need to make a mesh from reinforcement that will be installed above the feeder. At this point, the feeder is ready, and you can examine its design in more detail in the drawing.

What other options exist?

We have already examined several simple options for pig feeders in detail. But it should be said that there are quite a lot of variations of such designs. So, for example, you yourself can easily make an automatic feeder for pigs from several galvanized sheets of tin. Then you can use any convenient container for this or make a completely wooden trough. And finally, you yourself can easily come up with your own version of the design for animals based on the means at hand and the general recommendations given above.

Photo gallery

Design drawing for barrel feeding

Drawing of a bunker feeder

Bunker structure for feeding pigs in a store