Lacey, I think it's awesome that you have a caring and loving husband. He has some great ideas for homesteading. I enjoy watching you do creative things with your hands and mind. If the opportunity ever arises to visit with you at your farm, I would love to have a lengthy chat about your homesteading techniques. I think it's quite awesome the way you meet your challenges and change your problems into solutions. I wish you well in all that you do as a family. Grow on folks! We all love you guys.
I used to work on a commercial turkey ranch, our auto feeders worked generally the same as your feeder does, we had a heck of a time with mice getting inside the hoppers & dying until we installed hardware cloth over the openings. Big enough for feed to get out too small for those litter buggers to get in. Thanks for the video will try that for our girls soon, the waterer will be even sooner though lol thanks again for the vlogs.
nice to see someone share this, i have been doing basically the same thing since rubber maid came out with their rubber garbage cans, but i made a wood base and use smaller holes in garbage can. saves a lot of time and energy when feeding over 200 birds a day.
Smart! The chickens watching you work was funny. Your children are so adorable. Love your videos. Learn something new every time I watch them. God bless you and your sweet family.
My husband did a bird feeder that way, but he put a large funnel in the bottom of the can small end up,to make seeds flow better. Love that feeder. Good for you and good luck. Thanks for the video.
Mike, I really enjoy what you and your family have built together. There isn't anything a strong family unit can't achieve or overcome. Also, don't let the haters rent space in your head. Grow on!
I have 8 meat birds, my husband made a five gallon bucket automatic feeder. Using pvc elbows. I love it and the chickens have wasted hardly any food since we started using it. When i get out of the city and have more chickens ill have him make a big one like this!
Who gives Mike a thumbs down? This is a good idea and very scalable. Garden hoses will work for a while, but eventually to will want to run PVC underground to various areas of your farm.
That was so cute watching the chickens watch Mike while he set up the waterer. They were so interested in what he was doing. Have a Wonderful & Blessed Day!
Looks good. You could also get a second lid and cut hole to slide up from bottom and create a cover for the feeder so it can be in the field and not in tractor. Great idea for the cost
Safe travel. Prayers as always are being said. So blessed to be going to the Bakers Creek nation heirloom. Not personally but through you and Lacie. Can't wait to see all that is new this year. With God's grace someday I will be able to go there and meet you and others. Be blessed Family and enjoy your time of sharing off the farm. God's blessing to you and yours.
You need to put washers on the bottom of the bolts before you put the nuts on to prevent the nuts from wearing their way into the plastic in the future, since the plastic is not rigid. But that is a great idea for bulk feeding a bunch of fowl! I just saw a homesteader use that same automatic waterer device on a large 100 gallon trough for his cow! Great ideas and God Bless!
I like the feeder concept, Neat Idea! Those water floats really help out a bunch! One suggestion I’d make is Build a small wooden frame for the round rubberized water bowl to sit down inside of. Or a wooden frame to cap over the bowl. This would be to prevent a overturned water bowl from a bunch of chickens or animals from standing on one side & possibly tipping it over. Which could result in prematurely emptying your water barrels. Just a idea 💡. 👍
good job mike. one more step to make your homestead more efficient. Hooking up the water gutter to save rain water is a must have. You have a lot of rain there so it's a waste to throw rain water away.
The Fit Farmer - Mike Dickson one thing at a time 😀 you slowly make your homestead more efficient and more beautiful. Maybe an update video in the future about how the automated water and feeder do
I just watched a video of yours for the first time and i love the family videos .you all work together .i ended up watching different videos of yours for 3 hrs straight n still watching thm. I am just starting with chicks for the first time and your videos are so helpful. . I also want to try the wife's baked radishes . I am inspired by you n your family and for sharing all the info you n your wife give.
Great big feeder. Here in South Louisiana, I had a problem with mice and rats eating my chicken feed. The critters actually ate a hole around the lid handle to get to my feed. We purchased a large galvanized can and keep the feed in the bag in the can. So far the rats have not bothered it and we are feeding them with D-con. Have fun on your trip.
And thank you! You guys are helping others learn to be better farmers and have personal inspired me to sow more seeds of good nature in the world around me. It means a lot!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I Will be trying this. I have tried several other "automated" water and feeder systems and None of them were successful. This looks simple and straightforward!
Brilliant Mike! Thanks for the great feeder idea. I need to start lifting weights and get fit just like you because when I feed my 70+ chickens, it gets very labor intensive. And the automatic waterer is awesome too, hopefully I can implement it into my system next year, berrr...cold is coming here in Wisconsin. Thanks again!
I like this chicken feeder way better than the ones I’ve seen so far. We’ve tried a couple different kinds but this seems more effective. Thanks bunches!
Great info!! I already have a very heavy dury trash can so all I need to buy is the pan. I like the water idea also. I already have a 5 gal water bucket, so that will do for now. Thanks so much!!! Will look at your items after paying for 2 vehicle batteties and license for truck. Batteries were a shock!!! Lol
Not sure if you knew but many hoses state on them they are not safe for drinking water from them. Additionally as they warm up from the sun it leaks toxic chemicals into the water. They have drinking water hoses although a bit more expensive to get the lengths you need. Same with non food grade plastics. Just some FYI for those who are concerned about those kinds of things like me.
Great video. Good feeding & watering options. Both easy to do. Glad the run over chicken is doing OK. Have a great time & Baker Creek Expo & safe travels. Love & Hugs from Vicki in Ft. Worth, Texas 🇨🇱🇺🇸
Very good ideas, I especially like the water tote idea as I have a tote like that, my issue is freezing in the winter ( Michigan), but I’m gonna figure something out, thanks for the ideas
very cool!...I use a 5 gallon pail w/lid and an 6" pvc elbow (the kind with the lip thing)...cut hole bout 4" up from bottom and put in the elbow facing down inside and caulk it in place...the chicken stick their heads into the elbow and eat...they love it...it is water proof and I hang it from the metal handle to keep out rodents....but I don't have 25 chickens...lol... I only have 6.... :)… love your channel and your beautiful family!
Love you guys videos. Tip...box razor would work fine with that type plastic for feed holes. Used it for my bucket nest boxes and garbage can compost bin
This is the most awesome thing I had seen in a long time I am so glad that I watched your video today sometimes I just think you're a genius. I love your videos
Greetings Mike and Lacey..a great dyi..well I still haven't convinced the hubbs to let me have chickens so I'll have to keep this dyi in mind for the future.. blessings to you and your family 😇😇😇
You could also use a pan that goes underneath a water heater for the bottom part of your feeder. There even round. Also some kind of metal cone inside the barrel to divert the food to the outside of edge where the holes are. Hope this is helpful.
Pro tip: when using a skill-saw, always adjust the depth of so that blade comes just below the material your cutting. Its safer AND gives better control of the saw, making a cleaner cut. Thanks for sharing.
Hi y'all. Very nice presentation. Thanks for sharing. How did the hen do who got ran over? Just wondering. Thanks for allowing me to visit. Stay strong....grow on! May HE bless you mightily.
I love how Lacie seems to be the brains of the operation. (We can do it! 💪) I'd like to see her have a bit more of a co-equal role in front of the camera, or have topics just she would like to cover. If that would be of interest to her of course. Mike, your brawn sure is handy too. I'm a recent fan & am enjoying. Thank you, Cheers!
Since I (Lacie) do a lot of the editing it is hard to find time to be in front of the camera more. This is a team effort. Teamwork makes the dream work!! Thanks so much for watching!!
Thanks for sharing. I just bought a house and inherited 7 hens. Cant be around every day so intend to build this. I got you a smoker for your bees from Amazon. I got a bee hive as well. So let us know how it works out. Cheers!
We did almost exactly the same feeder but put our garbage cans inside a kiddie pool. And our water source all have 4 way splitters. 🤣 Great minds think alike!
I love both ideas Mike. Definitely time savers and problem solvers. As usual a great video. By the way, Lacey, can you reveal your skin regimen? It is beautiful! Also I’m loving your hair.
Hey Carol! Pretty much the only thing I use for my skin is baking soda as a scrub and then I use a moisturizer from Mother Nature's Mountain - Goddess Face Cream it is the best!!
The Fit Farmer - Mike Dickson Ok. I’m guessing the reply was from Lacey. So, Lacey, thank you for the reply. I too use baking soda as a bath soak and for brushing my teeth but never for my face. Going to give it a try. Thank you for responding. Oh and Mike, you don’t look too shabby either!
Love how those 2 Chickens had to see what you were working on with the automatic waterer.
Lacey, I think it's awesome that you have a caring and loving husband. He has some great ideas for homesteading. I enjoy watching you do creative things with your hands and mind. If the opportunity ever arises to visit with you at your farm, I would love to have a lengthy chat about your homesteading techniques. I think it's quite awesome the way you meet your challenges and change your problems into solutions. I wish you well in all that you do as a family. Grow on folks! We all love you guys.
Thank you Paul!! We really appreciate your encouraging words. Maybe we will meet one day!
I used to work on a commercial turkey ranch, our auto feeders worked generally the same as your feeder does, we had a heck of a time with mice getting inside the hoppers & dying until we installed hardware cloth over the openings. Big enough for feed to get out too small for those litter buggers to get in. Thanks for the video will try that for our girls soon, the waterer will be even sooner though lol thanks again for the vlogs.
Mike, that’s a really creative automatic feeder.
nice to see someone share this, i have been doing basically the same thing since rubber maid came out with their rubber garbage cans, but i made a wood base and use smaller holes in garbage can.
saves a lot of time and energy when feeding over 200 birds a day.
I just love how smart you and your wife are so much knowledge you all are a beautiful family God bless you and keep you safe and give you peace
Smart! The chickens watching you work was funny. Your children are so adorable. Love your videos. Learn something new every time I watch them. God bless you and your sweet family.
This will help my birds my chickens an ducks! THANK YOU FOR POSTING
I love the look at the hen checking out the float valve, lol. Great systems you've got in place. Thanks for sharing - Jenny
My husband did a bird feeder that way, but he put a large funnel in the bottom of the can small end up,to make seeds flow better. Love that feeder. Good for you and good luck. Thanks for the video.
That was my thought as well 😊 So the feed is directed towards the holes and you don't get a static patch in the middle
Mike,
I really enjoy what you and your family have built together. There isn't anything a strong family unit can't achieve or overcome. Also, don't let the haters rent space in your head. Grow on!
Elbert Jackson other way around free rent in the haters head!! Cheers! 😂
What excellent idea with chicken feeder !!! Also the water plan, that will definitly give peace of mind when going on Holiday.
I have 8 meat birds, my husband made a five gallon bucket automatic feeder. Using pvc elbows. I love it and the chickens have wasted hardly any food since we started using it. When i get out of the city and have more chickens ill have him make a big one like this!
Who gives Mike a thumbs down? This is a good idea and very scalable. Garden hoses will work for a while, but eventually to will want to run PVC underground to various areas of your farm.
I swear Lacey you seem to no how to put just about anything together. Smart and beautiful. You both do a wonderful job Ty you so much.⚘❤
Thanks Shay!! I guess I can just read and follow directions. lol ~ Lacie
The Fit Farmer - Mike Dickson we all no how men r about directions😂
I went back a ways and found this vlog and I really liked your idea for your chicken feeder and waterer.
That was so cute watching the chickens watch Mike while he set up the waterer. They were so interested in what he was doing. Have a Wonderful & Blessed Day!
Im glad you are going to continue sharing what you do. Don't let negative comments bother y'all...i love watching what you do
Wrong name it should be peggy speer. John doss is a inlaw..lol ill get it changed
Looks good. You could also get a second lid and cut hole to slide up from bottom and create a cover for the feeder so it can be in the field and not in tractor. Great idea for the cost
Nicely done, and your wife is great, loved how she easily put the automatic part of the water provider together for you. I love time savers.
So glad to find your video! I will subscribe for future DIY's and get more knowledge for our homestead!
PUT a fitted layer of screen in the waterer just below the water level . Keep you from loosing chicks and easier to keep any trash cleaned out.
Safe travel. Prayers as always are being said. So blessed to be going to the Bakers Creek nation heirloom. Not personally but through you and Lacie. Can't wait to see all that is new this year. With God's grace someday I will be able to go there and meet you and others. Be blessed Family and enjoy your time of sharing off the farm. God's blessing to you and yours.
Neat feeder... I absolutely adore the family especially Selah she's absolutely a sweetheart of a young lady!!
Thank you!
I would gladly be the adopted auntie 😂😂💕💕
You need to put washers on the bottom of the bolts before you put the nuts on to prevent the nuts from wearing their way into the plastic in the future, since the plastic is not rigid. But that is a great idea for bulk feeding a bunch of fowl! I just saw a homesteader use that same automatic waterer device on a large 100 gallon trough for his cow! Great ideas and God Bless!
I like the feeder concept, Neat Idea! Those water floats really help out a bunch! One suggestion I’d make is Build a small wooden frame for the round rubberized water bowl to sit down inside of. Or a wooden frame to cap over the bowl. This would be to prevent a overturned water bowl from a bunch of chickens or animals from standing on one side & possibly tipping it over. Which could result in prematurely emptying your water barrels. Just a idea 💡. 👍
good job mike. one more step to make your homestead more efficient. Hooking up the water gutter to save rain water is a must have. You have a lot of rain there so it's a waste to throw rain water away.
All in future plans! We need to hang gutters on the building, all we need is time and money. lol
The Fit Farmer - Mike Dickson one thing at a time 😀 you slowly make your homestead more efficient and more beautiful. Maybe an update video in the future about how the automated water and feeder do
I just watched a video of yours for the first time and i love the family videos .you all work together .i ended up watching different videos of yours for 3 hrs straight n still watching thm. I am just starting with chicks for the first time and your videos are so helpful. . I also want to try the wife's baked radishes . I am inspired by you n your family and for sharing all the info you n your wife give.
I am sure going to try this for my son's chicken pen. This is a great idea thanks you.
Great big feeder. Here in South Louisiana, I had a problem with mice and rats eating my chicken feed. The critters actually ate a hole around the lid handle to get to my feed. We purchased a large galvanized can and keep the feed in the bag in the can. So far the rats have not bothered it and we are feeding them with D-con. Have fun on your trip.
Your subscription numbers are on a serious up tick, Great Job!!!
Thanks!
And thank you! You guys are helping others learn to be better farmers and have personal inspired me to sow more seeds of good nature in the world around me. It means a lot!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I Will be trying this. I have tried several other "automated" water and feeder systems and None of them were successful. This looks simple and straightforward!
Thank you my brother for making this video
Brilliant Mike! Thanks for the great feeder idea. I need to start lifting weights and get fit just like you because when I feed my 70+ chickens, it gets very labor intensive. And the automatic waterer is awesome too, hopefully I can implement it into my system next year, berrr...cold is coming here in Wisconsin. Thanks again!
Thanks for this video! Ive been searching for a solution and this is so easy and effective. Thank you!!
You're welcome! Glad it helped you!
I like this chicken feeder way better than the ones I’ve seen so far. We’ve tried a couple different kinds but this seems more effective. Thanks bunches!
Great info!! I already have a very heavy dury trash can so all I need to buy is the pan. I like the water idea also. I already have a 5 gal water bucket, so that will do for now. Thanks so much!!! Will look at your items after paying for 2 vehicle batteties and license for truck. Batteries were a shock!!! Lol
Nice set up! I like it. The way you have your IBC tote up on the blocks is giving me ideas.
Glad we could give you an idea. Hope you guys are doing good out in the desert!
Great camera man shows everything thanks
I really liked the float setup for the auto waterer. So did the chickens 😁
At 11:59, chicken inspector makes hilarious face & movement. LOL!
W Val chickens are funny to watch
always amazed at the skills you both have learned. Have fun at the expo
That automatic chicken feeder is a great idea.
I like to learn about homesteading and you and your wife do a great job of showing how to do things, thanks! Nancy from Canada
Great job Team FIT.
Keep up the good work
God bless you
Not sure if you knew but many hoses state on them they are not safe for drinking water from them. Additionally as they warm up from the sun it leaks toxic chemicals into the water. They have drinking water hoses although a bit more expensive to get the lengths you need. Same with non food grade plastics. Just some FYI for those who are concerned about those kinds of things like me.
What a great idea for a chicken feeder. Love your channel. What a wonderful life you live.
Washers will help with not cracking the plastic when tightening your bolts.
That was cool. Thank you for sharing. Loves and hugs from Alamogordo New Mexico USA. May God bless you and your family
Great video. Good feeding & watering options. Both easy to do. Glad the run over chicken is doing OK. Have a great time & Baker Creek Expo & safe travels. Love & Hugs from Vicki in Ft. Worth, Texas 🇨🇱🇺🇸
Super smart feeder! Hope ya'll have a wonderful trip! Pleasant Journey!!!😊❤
Thanks So much for this video. I've been trying to figure out a way to automate my chickens/ducks/geese water for a while and this will work great!
Very good ideas, I especially like the water tote idea as I have a tote like that, my issue is freezing in the winter ( Michigan), but I’m gonna figure something out, thanks for the ideas
What great ideas to help out when you all are away. God Bless Ya'll.
Good info. Like how you showed us where the items were in the store! Thank you.
Miss you guys!!
Cool channel for homesteaders!
Grateful for your sharing your idea! Thanks
very cool!...I use a 5 gallon pail w/lid and an 6" pvc elbow (the kind with the lip thing)...cut hole bout 4" up from bottom and put in the elbow facing down inside and caulk it in place...the chicken stick their heads into the elbow and eat...they love it...it is water proof and I hang it from the metal handle to keep out rodents....but I don't have 25 chickens...lol... I only have 6.... :)… love your channel and your beautiful family!
Sounds like a great feeder you have there and works great for your set up. Thanks so much for watching!
Clever, economic, quick to assemble and put to work! Nuthin' beats that! : )
Oh, I like this idea for when we are on vacation.🤩 Thank you for this video!!!
Great Job Mike and Lacey!! That will help me a whole lot with my new setup for feed and water.
Nice. Glad to see it has covering for the weather so as not to waste! I'm going to have to remember that! Blessings from NE Missouri!
Love you guys videos. Tip...box razor would work fine with that type plastic for feed holes. Used it for my bucket nest boxes and garbage can compost bin
Not tip per se just another option. I hate pulling out my drill and saws
That is an awesome idea. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Good idea Mike and Lacie, I'm going to try it. Thank You and grow on🐔 🐥
Great DIY for the automatic chicken feeder. Thanks!
This is the most awesome thing I had seen in a long time I am so glad that I watched your video today sometimes I just think you're a genius. I love your videos
Greetings Mike and Lacey..a great dyi..well I still haven't convinced the hubbs to let me have chickens so I'll have to keep this dyi in mind for the future.. blessings to you and your family 😇😇😇
Mike how is the chicken doing that u ran over with the chix shaw?
Chicken tacos
Great idea for both Watering and Feeder.
I have a 4 hose faucet. So handy.
Love the Star Wars reference. "I cant see anything with this blaster shield on". Haha. Great video.
You could also use a pan that goes underneath a water heater for the bottom part of your feeder. There even round. Also some kind of metal cone inside the barrel to divert the food to the outside of edge where the holes are. Hope this is helpful.
That is a good idea!
Great ideas! I can see the chicken feeder being use in many different applications.
Lacie you should tell the story of how you know all those skills.
Thank you so much. I'm to fill mine twice daily. This is a help.
How long that feeder last you and what's in in your feed?
Pro tip: when using a skill-saw, always adjust the depth of so that blade comes just below the material your cutting. Its safer AND gives better control of the saw, making a cleaner cut. Thanks for sharing.
Great tips, Thank you both for sharing😃👍🏽❤️
Great video makes plenty sense. Loved the chickens checking it out LoL. Keep growing and sharing. Lacey you rocked that .
Yeah! A Fit Farmer video!
I found this video extremely informative. Thankyou 😊.
Thanks great idea and simple. Very nice
I had not heard about a risk with galvanized metal! Thanks, Mike!
Hi y'all. Very nice presentation. Thanks for sharing. How did the hen do who got ran over? Just wondering. Thanks for allowing me to visit. Stay strong....grow on! May HE bless you mightily.
She is doing well.
Great video guys, I see you have a lot of tidying up on the farm!
Thank you for another awesome video! I really love the feeder and ther waterer! Genius!!!
Good idea!! Thanks and blessings
Thanks man, you got me in the right direction.
I love inexpensive DIYs
I love how Lacie seems to be the brains of the operation. (We can do it! 💪) I'd like to see her have a bit more of a co-equal role in front of the camera, or have topics just she would like to cover. If that would be of interest to her of course. Mike, your brawn sure is handy too. I'm a recent fan & am enjoying. Thank you, Cheers!
Since I (Lacie) do a lot of the editing it is hard to find time to be in front of the camera more. This is a team effort. Teamwork makes the dream work!! Thanks so much for watching!!
I am totally loving the automatic waterier! I am going to look into making something like this for ours.... maybe the dogs too!
Wow! That's a super feeder!
Thanks for sharing. I just bought a house and inherited 7 hens. Cant be around every day so intend to build this. I got you a smoker for your bees from Amazon. I got a bee hive as well. So let us know how it works out. Cheers!
Great ideas and execution! TFS
Great video and great idea on the feeder and waterwr....Where do you buy your feed, and do you buy it in bulk or 50 Lbs bags?
We did almost exactly the same feeder but put our garbage cans inside a kiddie pool. And our water source all have 4 way splitters. 🤣 Great minds think alike!
Two great Ideas right there, great video!!!!🍒🍒🍒
Thank y'all
I love both ideas Mike. Definitely time savers and problem solvers. As usual a great video. By the way, Lacey, can you reveal your skin regimen? It is beautiful! Also I’m loving your hair.
Hey Carol! Pretty much the only thing I use for my skin is baking soda as a scrub and then I use a moisturizer from Mother Nature's Mountain - Goddess Face Cream it is the best!!
The Fit Farmer - Mike Dickson Ok. I’m guessing the reply was from Lacey. So, Lacey, thank you for the reply. I too use baking soda as a bath soak and for brushing my teeth but never for my face. Going to give it a try. Thank you for responding. Oh and Mike, you don’t look too shabby either!