I know there are some things out on youtube that show people making homemade protein feeders. However, I wanted to ask you guys on here. I was looking into building one out of a 55 gallon drum and then just purchasing a gravity tube feeder from Academy along with the funnel obviously. Any hints from those of you that may have made your own? How long should the legs be and whats the easiest point to attach them (is it better in one place or the other - bottom of barrel, middle)?

I don't feel like spending $200+ for a feeder when i can make one for about $75 or so... any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

I've been down the "homemade" protein feeder road and wish I wouldn't have wasted my time and energy.

The CLEAR 4" PVC pipe coming down from the barrel was nice on my set-up since my game camera would often capture pictures as the feeder was going empty (easy to tell how long your protein lasts)

FYI: My 85 gallon feeder only lasted an average of two weeks

Forgot to mention the funnel hole needs to be at least double the size of a normal broadcast feeder.

I plan to build a ptotein feeder and have ask a few friends that have this style. The bottom of the tube needs to be about 54" to slow down the hogs and.... mix in some corn or the protein will clump up.

I have a 55 drum feeder already and plan to add the hopper academy sells and just try it. I will come back to this bread with any updates.....

Good luck and hope it works out for both of us!

I made two last year. The best thing to do is find a way to hold up the barrel after you attach the spout. I was able to do that here at work with a forklift. I set the spout about 38-40" off the floor then take the legs and brackets you'll be using and mark where they should go. Middle of the barrel definitely makes for easier access than the bottom. I did one both ways due to the legs I was using. On one I used either 8' or 10' fence poles from home depot and then other was made from the enclosure supports from an old trampoline. On both I used the flat sheet metal funnels that can be formed into a cone. I also went with the Wildgame plastic lids from Academy instead of the locking metal lids I had because condensation would develop due to lack of air flow.

The pictures above are exactly the way to build your homemade protein feeder. But do put a plastic lid or cover over the top because of your pellets getting the condensation from a "too tight" lid. I would have the spouts about 38" from the ground for a south texas deer or 35" from the ground for a hill country deer. I definitely would surround the protein pellet feeders with 16' long hog panels (at least 8 panels.)

Thanks guys for the help. I already have the hog panels set up around my corn feeder - i probably will just expand that feed pen.

Here's a couple I made

Wondering if the Wildgame plastic lids work. I have an issue with my feeders and humidity inside the feeder.

Never leave looked at the brand but.... I use the lids from academy and have not had problems with them...

2 seasons ago all of our feeders had the galvanized lids except one of my brothers which had the black plastic lid. It was the only feeder that would clog up. We figured it was causing condensation/humidity in the barrel and causing the dust to stick together and clog the funnel.

Picked up a 55 gallon barrel this week and a leg kit from Amazon, a forum member has offered a homemade hopper and used inside funnel. I will keep y'all updated with pics and progress.

https://www.amazon.com/American-Hunter-Adapter-Pound-Feeder/dp/B000FGS1S2

dlrz71, thanks for the heads up!!! I have used them for the last decade or so but... if I EVER get condensation inside one the lid will get replaced first. I have had dirt dobber nests in my funnel causing the feeder to clog but never condensation.

Looks great..What does the 4x4 attach to?

A 10" 1/4" square plate with a welded 6" piece of 4" square tubing bolted to barrel with 4 bolts

Little update thru pics....







Started installing the leg bracket kit, I plan to cut the actual legs too length so the hopper is the correct hieght. Looks like a 55 gallon barrel will hold 400lbs of protein so my plan is 5 50lbs bags of protein and however much corn it will hold.....

Thru in a pic of the lid and funnel AND my 4" hole saw is completely dulled so I need to go get one...

A 55 gallon barrel will hold far less than 400 lbs of protein especially with the funnel.

The protein pellets take up a lot more more volume than straight corn.

Example: My 85 gallon corn feeders will hold 11 bags of corn, but only 9 bags of protein with the funnel.

Some info in case it's helpful. My first home-built protein feeders were similar to TX Lefty's, learned a few lessons the past few years.

As said above, protein pellets are less dense than corn. So, total capacity is different: 85 to 90% in my experience.

-A standard 55 gal drum with INTERNAL funnel will hold around ~250 to 275lb of protein (depends on funnel)

-A 55 gal drum with NO FUNNEL (not recommended) will hold ~300lb of protein

-A 55gal drum with EXTERNAL welded standard metal funnel will hold ~350lb of protein

-A 55gal drum with custom deep EXTERNAL funnel (what I use) will hold ~400lb of protein.


Couple other suggestions:
-Make sure your drop hole is at least 3.5" in diameter
-Caulk and seal every single penetration in the drum. You will regret it later if not.

Pigs and cows love protein once they taste it, and will wreck shop to get to it. Strong feed pen highly recommended.

I'm not trying to squat on another members thread, I PM'd him and he never responded.

TxAg, thanks for the response! I will do as you say and seal everything up can you tell me why?

The feed pen will have to wait for those that don't know I'm just a mechanic and DO NOT use credit cards so, if the hogs destroy the feeder I'm out less than $100, looks like a 10 panel pen is going to be about $300 and I hope to have it built but not this weekend.

Thanks again for the responses hopefully this thread will help someone else..

Yes sir. Protein loves to wick up moisture. Any penetration point that is not sealed will have protein clump up around it due to moisture intrusion. Eventually the clumps break off and you have clogging problems. Also, with enough water, protein pellets turn to mush. And, if enough of the mush collects it can clog the whole feeder as well.

A few mins of effort to caulk and seal now can save a bunch of time and hassle down the road.

Good luck! Looks like you're off to a good start.

It's up, the tube my friend and forum member gave me is pretty nice so I went with a game winner until I can get a pen up. The feeder held 200lbs of protein and 100lbs of corn. I've got $95 in this one the barrel was free and I already had some legs so...




Here is a pic of the height of the hopper and I did not include the spray paint in the price either....

Texaslefty's pic -

Thanks Cast!! Could not get the pic to post!! There it is up and running, excited to check the camera!

What brand protein did you throw in her?

You'll be over the cost of the feeder in no time if it gets heavy use.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/wildgame...ildCatid=500356


This but the bag looks different.

Good deal. Give us an update on how they're taking to it when you can.

Should have pics after next weekend, like I said, I have a camera up and pointed at the feeder..

First night.

Looks like the hogs got too it. I think it will survive though because the feed pen is up now. More pics to follow....

looks great! how much did you end up spending?

I too am sold on the game winner gravity tube. I was really skeptical on the quality at the price ($35) but it is really well built. Much thicker steel than I expected.

We did the DIY tubes for a year but you can't really control the flow of feed down those, the Game Winner tube has a collar that you can control the rate of flow with. Plus the GW tubes only cost a few dollars more than the DIY set up considering the price of PVC tees, toilet flange, and 4" tube. (We tried 3" PVC tubes first and found that the protein would get clogged in the narrower tubes and wouldn't flow)

I have $95 in it plus the can of spray paint. The barrel was free and the legs I already had so...

I will add that since building this I have discovered the boss buck leg kit, it is a no drill band and that is what I will be going with in the future.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boss-Buck-Barrel-Band-Leg-Kit/2066388.uts

Good deal man. Save some $$$$$ when they start hammering straight protein

For my homemade protein feeder I first used homemade downspouts from pvc tee, but when it rained the protein would clog. I now have a boss buck tube 3 way. It's only the tubes not the down tube. It was $65 at Lyssy & Eckel. They sold me it off their feeders they have there. Then I put a 4" pvc down pipe, toilet flange, and 4" coupler to connect the spout to pipe.

Cost
$65 boss buck spout
$5 pvc pipe
$4 toilet flange
$4 coupler
Old barrel laying around
Rebar leg mounts welded to barrel
Above ground swimming pool legs
Flashing funnel.
Few screws

I know this is more expensive than the one from academy for $35 but we have that one also and it clogs often.

Also we use cattle panels cut in half to make our pens and use drainage t-posts which are shorter and about $1 cheaper than regular t-posts. We don't have cows so the height works. A few tiny hogs get in but the mommy and daddy don't.