Top 4 types of feeders for pigeons, materials and how to make them yourself

Breeding pigeons considered more of a hobby than a full-fledged poultry business. However, this does not relieve bird lovers of problems. Young pigeons have difficulty switching to adult food. To make this process quick and easy, birds need feeders. The easiest way out is to purchase them at a pet store, but they are not aimed specifically at this type of bird. To find the right feeder for pigeons, it is best to make your own.

Requirements and parameters of an ideal feeder

The correct configuration of the feeder is half the success on the path to healthy birds and regular offspring. After all, the convenience of feeding, sanitary cleanliness and the cleaning regime of the dovecote depend on its width, method of fastening and height. Of course, you can get by with some simple containers to simply fill the grain. But this option is not suitable for chicks, because it will result in stress and even exhaustion. It is appropriate only when the owner needs to go away for a couple of days, and there is no one to trust with caring for the birds.

Feeders are divided into two types: automatic and box. The first ones are convenient because you don’t need to constantly add food to them; it is supplied as needed. Box ones are easier to make and more familiar to birds that feed from the ground.

Experienced pigeon breeders advise making two separate feeders for adults and young animals. The device should be of a comfortable height for the birds and have barriers. After all, pigeons do not disdain to trample on the food. In addition, the grain should not fall out of the structure. And it itself should be easy to disassemble and clean at any time.

What equipment and materials will be needed

Before you start manufacturing, you should decide what the feeding device will be made of. There is room to expand here: metal, plastic, cardboard, wood. Metal feeders are considered the most durable, but making them at home is not so easy. Plastic is affordable, easy to use and clean, does not deform due to temperature and lasts a long time. The downside is its lightness. In addition, some birds tear off pieces of plastic bottles (from which feeders are usually made).

Cardboard is an environmentally friendly material that is easy to find and process. But it has many disadvantages.The structures are short-lived, they are blown away by the wind, they get wet from rain and snow. The service life of such a thing is no more than a month. You will have to regularly replace it with a new one.

Among other things, you will need:

1. Pencil.
2. Roulette.
3. Boards and plywood.
4. Stationery knife.
5. Nails and hammer.
6. Carpentry tools.

How to make a pigeon feeder with your own hands

Manufacturing will take some time, depending on the type and material chosen.

Wooden feeders

To build this structure, you do not need to be an experienced carpenter, but you should have some woodworking skills.

1. Assemble the plywood box using nails or glue so that it is high enough.
2. Next, build a pallet from thin plywood and blocks. Insert it into the lower part, having first sawed through one of the walls.
3. Attach the roof to size and place rigid ribs made of thin slats or wire between it and the box.
4. Place a pinwheel on the roof or cover it with slippery material to prevent pigeons from landing on top.

Cardboard feeder

An option that even a child can handle.

1. In an old unnecessary medium-sized box, cut through two side walls completely.
2. Build a roof from another box (any shape can be used) and glue it to the base.
3. Attach a wire loop for hanging so that the structure does not deform from dampness.
4. For additional protection, the feeder can be taped on the outside.

Plastic feeder

Building such a thing is also quite easy, and the materials can be found in almost every shed.

1. You will need a 2 or 3 liter bottle.Windows are cut out along its entire length.
2. The edges of the windows are covered with several layers of electrical tape or tape to prevent the birds from getting hurt.
3. The side of the bottle is nailed to the board so that the pigeons do not move it.

Hopper automatic feeder

This simple device will save the owner from pouring feed to the birds every day.

1. You will need two bottles. The top of one is cut off. And in the other, small holes are cut on one edge for the pigeons and one large one so that the first bottle can fit in.
2. The feeder is filled with grain and turned over. The parts should fit tightly into each other without additional fixation with adhesive tape.
3. As they peck, the food will be automatically replenished until it is completely gone.
4. The larger the feed storage capacity, the less often you will have to replenish it.
5. It is easy to make a bird drinker using a similar type.
6. It is recommended to calculate the size of the feeder based on the number of individuals in the dovecote.