A deer feeder is a great way to attract deer to your property and provide them with a supplemental source of food. There are a variety of commercial deer feeders available but you can also easily build your own homemade deer feeder. This project can be completed in a weekend and will provide you with a functional and attractive deer feeder that will last for years.
The first step is to choose a location for your feeder. It should be in a spot that is easily accessible for you to refill but that is also safe for the deer. You don’t want them to be too close to a road or other areas where they could be in danger. Once you have chosen the location clear away any brush or debris so that the feeder will be visible to the deer.
Next you will need to build the frame of the feeder. You can use pressure-treated lumber or cedar for this project. Cut the lumber to size and then assemble the frame using screws or nails. If you are using cedar you can also weatherproof it by applying a coat of deck sealer.
Once the frame is assembled you can add the roof. This can be a simple piece of plywood or you can get creative and add a gable roof or other design. If you live in an area with a lot of snow you may want to add a snow guard to the roof to prevent the weight of the snow from collapsing the roof.
Now it’s time to add the sides. You can use chicken wire hardware cloth or Plexiglas for this. Cut the material to size and then attach it to the frame using screws or nails. For added protection you can wrap the wire around the edges of the Plexiglas.
The last step is to add the feed. You can purchase deer feed at most farm and ranch supply stores. Choose a feed that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Fill the feeder with the feed and then put the lid on.
You can also add a few extras to your feeder to make it more attractive to deer. You can put a salt block in the feeder or hang a wreath of fresh cedar boughs on the front. These extras will help to attract deer and keep them coming back for more.
What supplies will you need to make a homemade deer feeder?
Answer 1: You will need a 5 gallon bucket a lid a drill a 1″ hole saw a hammer and nails.
Where is the best location to place your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 2: The best location to place your feeder is in an open area away from any trees or branches that could knock it over.
How often should you fill your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 3: You should fill your feeder every 2-3 days.
What is the best type of food to put in your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 4: The best type of food to put in your feeder is deer corn.
How much food should you put in your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 5: You should put 1-2 inches of food in the bottom of the bucket.
How do you drill a hole in the bottom of the bucket?
Answer 6: Place the bucket upside down on a flat surface.
Center the hole saw on the bottom of the bucket and drill a hole.
How do you attach the lid to the bucket?
Answer 7: Use the hammer and nails to attach the lid to the top of the bucket.
What is the best way to camouflage your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 8: The best way to camouflage your feeder is to spray paint it with a camo pattern.
How can you keep other animals from getting into your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 9: The best way to keep other animals out of your feeder is to place it on a platform that is at least 4 feet off the ground.
What will happen if it rains or snows and your homemade deer feeder is not covered?
Answer 10: If it rains or snows and your feeder is not covered the food will get wet and moldy.
How can you keep deer from tipping over your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 11: The best way to keep deer from tipping over your feeder is to place it on a platform that is at least 4 feet off the ground.
How can you keep deer from eating all the food in your homemade deer feeder at once?
Answer 12: The best way to keep deer from eating all the food in your feeder is to place it in an area where there is plenty of other food for them to eat.
What will happen if you don’t clean your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 13: If you don’t clean your feeder the food will get moldy and the deer will not want to eat it.
How often should you clean your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 14: You should clean your feeder every 2-3 weeks.
What is the best way to clean your homemade deer feeder?
Answer 15: The best way to clean your feeder is to rinse it out with a hose and then let it air dry.
