Homemade Deer Feeders

Tap to Read ➤ Chandramita Bora

For those who love deer and want to feed them, a homemade deer feeder is an excellent device that can be made easily with some readily available household items.

For feeding deer, many types of mechanical feeders are available in several stores. However, making a deer feeder can be a little more adventurous. It will definitely make feeding and observing deer a bit more exciting.

These homemade deer feeders are also less costly than the branded ones, and are quite easy to make. To make them only a few things are required, some of which you may already have in your home or garage, and if you do not have them, you can always find them at the local hardware store.

Making Homemade Deer Feeders

Method 1

Items Required PVC pipe, 4 to 6 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter Plastic container/bucket Ropes

Instructions Make a feeding hole or opening in the pipe about 1 to 2 inch from the bottom. Cap the bottom tightly. Now, you have to make a feeding bowl and for this, cut the top of any plastic container or a bucket. The height of the bowl should be within 5 to 6 inch.

Place the container on the ground and fasten the pipe to one side of the container. The pipe should be placed in such a way that the opening of the pipe faces the center of the bowl.

Fasten the pipe to a tree with ropes. Make sure that the pipe is fastened tightly, so that the deer cannot move or displace it. The pipe should be placed at such a height from the ground that the deer cannot reach the top of the pipe.

Put a cap or cover at the top of the pipe in order to protect the food from rainwater. It will also prevent squirrels and other animals from getting access to the deer food. If you want to prevent accumulation of rainwater in the food bowl, then make some very small weep holes at the bottom to drain the water.

Now, your homemade deer feeder is ready and you can fill the pipe with corn or other food items like hay or even deer feed like grain pellets.

Method 2

Items Required A 5 gallon bucket Dowel rod Screws (3 inch in size) Ropes

Instructions Make a hole 1 - 2 inch in diameter at the bottom of the bucket. After making the hole, sand the area properly. Then put the screw through the dowel rod, in order to suspend it in the bucket hole.

You can fasten the bucket to a tree with the help of a rope. First, tie the rope to the handle of the bucket and then, fasten it to the tree. Fill the bucket with grains and deer feed.

This feeder should be placed at such a distance from the ground that the deer can easily move the dowel rod. Whenever they lick or move the hanging rod, food will fall through the hole.

Initially, it may not be easy to get the deer fed by using these homemade feeders.

These animals are wary of humans and it will be a few days before they flock to the feeder to eat. You can get a better result if you paint the PVC pipe or the dowel rod in some natural colors like brown or green.

You can also throw some corn or oats near the feeders in order to attract them. Make sure you clean the feeders regularly to prevent the growth of germs and disease. Hope these simple, homemade feeders can help you attract the deer into your backyard, so that you and your family can enjoy the sight of these beautiful creatures!