Questions About Bulk Feeder Build and What to Put in It?

[tgil]

thats is so nice of you to build a feeder for the coons jeff.

That was my first thought. I think Purina has a new product called "Trophy Coon", might try that?

[Codie]

http://www.fmcfeeds.com/

worst website I've seen in a while but does give their phone number.

I wonder if the alfalfa bale and a combo of the mix feed would attract the deer? Kind of a buffet thing.

haha - it's a feed store in Graham Tx Fishndude - what can you expect?

I think the more options you give them, the better! I really like the alfalfa bale idea. I would do that myself but I don't want to jack with building a feederpen right smack dab in the middle of the season -

[Fishndude]

I'm lucky enough to not have cattle to worry about.

[Skinny]

Are the deer not taking to your cone???


Skinny

[bowhuntntxn]

I would think that without some sort of regulating device, then all you could do is cut hols in the sides. pouring a feed/pellet product into the barrel, it will run out until it plugs up. then just slightly touching it could start the avalanche again. cutting thumb tabs would be ok, but you cannot bend them inward and make them stay like you could with a metal barrel. and feed/hay combo i am having a hard time visualizing what you are talking about. pouring the feed in first, then putting the hay on top of it? how will the feed be dispensed, or attainable in a free choice situation?

[Fishndude]

I would think that without some sort of regulating device, then all you could do is cut hols in the sides. pouring a feed/pellet product into the barrel, it will run out until it plugs up. then just slightly touching it could start the avalanche again. cutting thumb tabs would be ok, but you cannot bend them inward and make them stay like you could with a metal barrel. and feed/hay combo i am having a hard time visualizing what you are talking about. pouring the feed in first, then putting the hay on top of it? how will the feed be dispensed, or attainable in a free choice situation?

I was thinking of cutting the holes a little higher in the barrel so that feed would store in the bottom. Like 50 lbs. or so of whatever and then having the alfalfa on top of that.

Obviously, I'm just playing around with the deer/coons/hogs at this point but I've got plenty of time to do that and I enjoy it.

Any other thoughts or ideas. Thanks for those previously offered.

[Fishndude]

Ok, up for the weekend crew.

Any other ideas?

Some secret deer food that's NOT Buck Candy!

[Uncle Saggy]

Squirrels only cause damage when you let the feeder go dry for an extended period......this is said from experience..... Little rat basstaarddds

[elliscountyhog]

Jeff be nice if there was a way to keep the magic mix or acorn rage from ruining. But I have tried the golden nuggets that are berry flavored an have had decent luck.

[Fishndude]

Squirrels only cause damage when you let the feeder go dry for an extended period......this is said from experience..... Little rat basstaarddds

Lol! That seems to be the general concensus! Thanks sir.

Maybe with it being next to a regular spin cast feeder, they won't bother it.

[Archery1st]

Wanna try something different?

pecan scrap..Find a pecan farm and buy all their busted pecans

Peanut scrap...Same as above

Rice Bran...might require a funnel and you may have to modify the funnel with multiple holes drilled in it. Cut out 2-3 oval holes in the barrel and suspend the funnel high enough in the barrel the rice brand spills out in the bottom of the barrel.

Alfalfa hay

Cotton Seed

I have something I'm going to try next time I go down...it could work really well or it may run deer to the next county. I'll let you know how it works.

[Fishndude]

Thanks Bruce. Very interesting stuff.

I've got 80 lbs of acorns rounded up as well. Gonna try that too

just playing around really!

[Smart]

I was thinking of cutting the holes a little higher in the barrel so that feed would store in the bottom. Like 50 lbs. or so of whatever and then having the alfalfa on top of that.

My only concern here Jeff is the feed getting wet from rain and then forming a nice rotting alfalfa/protein block in the bottom. On my Dad's MLD place several years back we had several All Season protein feeders that leaked at the seams and needed to be caulked. That particular work day was spent shoveling out 10-15 protein feeders filling with a nasty rotting protein mess before we could caulk. If that place had pigs it would have been some good hunting. It was rank......

[Fishndude]

Jeff be nice if there was a way to keep the magic mix or acorn rage from ruining. But I have tried the golden nuggets that are berry flavored an have had decent luck.

Workin' on it. . Gotta get that monster buck coming in for ya!!

My only concern here Jeff is the feed getting wet from rain and then forming a nice rotting alfalfa/protein block in the bottom. On my Dad's MLD place several years back we had several All Season protein feeders that leaked at the seams and needed to be caulked. That particular work day was spent shoveling out 10-15 protein feeders filling with a nasty rotting protein mess before we could caulk. If that place had pigs it would have been some good hunting. It was rank......

Ooooh yuck! Thanks Jason. That doesn't sound good at all. I wonder if there is some barrel modification to compensate for that? Hmmmm...