DIY Self Dog Gravity Feed (lab proof hopefully)

[Coach W]

Moultrie metal bucket
Metal bowl
Two metal legs
1/4" bolts, washers, and nuts

Bolt the legs to the barrel and then to the bowl. Leaving the legs where they hang below the bowl.

Push the legs into the ground a bit. Fill bucket, close lid.

If your lab is like mine he eats the plastic ones... Even if he has plenty off other toys and is getting played with daily... Mine just LOVES to chew stuff up... So its gotta be metal!

[RiverRat00]

Does it have a timer?

[Coach W]

No timer. With the tilt of the barrel and bowl it will fill the bowl when she eats what's in there. Just gravity.

[Big_gun]

cool project.. my lab would weigh 300# with a self feeder or the ants would have a feast

[RiverRat00]

Ok, seems like a good idea..

[TexasBear]

What do y'all do about ants?

[TxAg]

Cool project. Looks sturdy.



A few questions, though...This isn't directed at you, but those that feed this way in general...What about ants? What about rain? is it that time consuming to feed the dog every day?

[Coach W]

I'm in west Texas.. Rain isn't a concern here... I could see making a little lean to/ roof with a piece of tin (like the cattle feeders use) if rain was a problem.

I don't have a problem with ants either...

My Lab has always had a free fall feeder since she was a pup (the plastic ones from pet smart).. She eats when she wants but doesn't over eat. I coach and leave at 7am and arrive home at 8-9 pm most days... I want to make sure she never goes without because im busy during the week.

[super_dave]

Does it have a timer?

What an awesome idea!!!

[TxAg]

I'm in west Texas.. Rain isn't a concern here... I could see making a little lean to/ roof with a piece of tin (like the cattle feeders use) if rain was a problem.

I don't have a problem with ants either...

My Lab has always had a free fall feeder since she was a pup (the plastic ones from pet smart).. She eats when she wants but doesn't over eat. I coach and leave at 7am and arrive home at 8-9 pm most days... I want to make sure she never goes without because im busy during the week.

Makes sense to me.

[hebegb]

gotta have that timer!

Yeah, at my place, it's either gonna need a timer or I'll have a 300# lab and a very robust local ant population.

I can see the benefits of a timer and a controllable amount of food being dispensed once or twice daily-- No waste and the blessing of consistency. I'm not lazy, just not always able to get home to feed around the same time, daily.

I know how I feel if I miss my usual feeding time. Dogs aren't much different. Woe unto me if I am at home and let feeding time slip away from me. I got a lab that does everything but get in my face, stamp his foot and look at an imaginary wrist watch on his front paw to let me know "it's past time!"

I've got extra barrels and sling feeders that could easily be converted to drop feed into a pan. This is a good idea I just might try. Thanx

[bassguy2222]

Great idea

[Coach W]

Originally this one had a five gallon bucket with the bottom cut out screwed to the moultrie barrel. It had a feeder that fed every evening. All hung from a tree over her bowl.

The slinger fed, dog food fell straight into her food bowl... But I had to use the timer elsewhere (deer lease) and decided it might be easier to simplify and make into a gravity feed.

[marceco]

I have used the old " Hog Feeders " like these , but still seemed to gather moisture in bottom , not sure why ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-POUND-CAPACITY-PROFESSIONAL-FARM-GRADE-HOG-FEEDER-PIG-BIN-SWINE-FEED-/130593793894?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e67ff2766

[7mm tx lab]

cool project.. my lab would weigh 300# with a self feeder or the ants would have a feast

Same with my lab, he already weights to much already !