I have been ask to write a article and did not know what to write about so have decided to do a feeder project. I know some think that this type of feeder will cause broken feathers in the neck area, but I have not had that problem and the birds waste a lot less feed than with the dowel type. There is many ways that you can vary this feeder in height of the holes and also in the length of the feeder. (I build them to fit the opening that I have available.) You can also vary the size of the holes in the sides or put a sloping top on it. I prefer the flat top as it is easier to use in a partition fence, I use them to feed 2 pen from 1 feeder for reduction of chores.
I start with a 6 foot piece of 1 x 6 board and cut the first piece 23 ¼ inches long. Next I cut 2 pieces 7 ¾ inches long for the ends. Then 1 piece 25 inches long for the top. Then I set my table saw rip fence as ½ inch and the blade at ½ the depth of the ¾ inch board cutting a groove in the bottom and both ends and also on both front and back edges. Then I move the rip fence out about 3/32 of an inch and do it again, this makes a wider groove for the sides to set in. with this completed I put the ends on the bottom with 2 2inch deck screws at each end. Now I take a piece of 1/8 inch Plexiglas and cut 2 pieces 7 inches wide and 24 inches long. Next take these sides and clamp them to a board and mark a line 3 ¾ inches from the bottom and from one end start at 3” and mark every 3” across the piece lengthwise crossing the first mark 3 ¾ inched from the bottom, where these marks cross is the center of the holes that I drill using a 2 ¼ inch hole saw. When this is completed I take a drum sander about 1 inch in diameter and smooth the holes on the inside and also taper the edges so that they are not sharp. I then finish smoothing the holes using a piece of sandpaper or emery cloth and my finger. When you can run your finger around the inside of the hole and do not feel any rough spots you are completed with that and are ready to slide them into the ends and bottom of the feeder. I now drill a couple of small holes in the sides of the bottom and the Plexiglas so that I can put a small nail in, to hold the sides from coming out when you pick it up. The only thing left is to lay the top on the feeder and put a couple of small cleats on the ends so that it will stay in place and not be knocked off by the birds.
Optional: If you want to you can put a divider in after the first hole from one end, that way you can use it for grit and eliminate the need for a separate feeder for grit.
I am enclosing a couple of pictures that I hope will help to understand what I have been trying to explain and wish all who attempt this project the best of luck. As I always tell my son-in-law: It’s really not hard; the hardest part is having the guts to try it.
1st picture showing grooves, bottom and end
2nd picture w/ divider and nails holding plexiglass
3rd photo showing finished feeder with lid