Pig Feeder Made From Chemical Tote

2022 - Volume #46, Issue #3, Page #03

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Farmer and innovator Jordan Green has developed a low-cost pastured-pig feeder that can be built in hours and will feed up to 30 pigs.
Green co-owns J & L Green Farm in Edinburg, Va., and is the founder of FarmBuilder, an online consulting and teaching service for designing and operating profitable, pasture-based livestock systems. This pig feeder is one of many DIY projects he uses on his property.
Green was inspired to tackle this project when he found commercial feeders didn’t cut it in his high-movement pastured-pig operation. Not only were they expensive, but commercial feeders overflowed easily and often had issues with clogging in wet conditions.
Green built the first of four prototypes of his DIY feeder in April 2018. The latest model, for which he sells PDF plans, is the only feeder he uses on his property today.
“Extensively developed & tested on our farm over the last four years, this feeder has revolutionized our ability to manage large groups of frequently moving feeder pigs on pasture with significant cost savings,” says Green.
In this version, the chemical tote is held diagonally by a wooden cradle attached with ratchet straps, making it easy to take the tank on and off. Feed enters through the top of the tank, and there’s a cut in the bottom through which feed falls into the feeding tray.
There are rollers/agitators along the bottom of the tank. Pigs will hit them as they eat, knocking more feed from the tote into the trough. It’s possible to change the size of the rollers based on how sticky the feed is; larger rollers work best for pellet feed.
The tank allows for multiple ways to change the feed flow. Says Green, “The flow can be adjusted by using different size PVC pipes for the rollers in the cradle. The smaller the pipe diameter, the faster it will flow. I’ve found 4 in. works the best for the widest range of applications.”
PVC guards on the legs of the cradle are necessary because the pigs love to use the wood as a scratching post. On the first version, pigs wore the wood down to half its width within a year.
While costs will vary depending on the price of the tank, Green estimates the total construction costs to be around $200 to $300 per feeder. Says Green, “We’re probably using ten of these on the farm. That’s $2,000 in costs as compared to $20,000 or $40,000 for commercial outdoor feeders.”
Purchase downloadable plans to make your own feeder here: https://bit.ly/3j3KVwD. These plans include a lumber and hardware list and feed between 25 to 30 pigs each.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jordan Green, FarmBuilder (ph 540-333-1468, farmbuilders@gmail.com, www.farmbuilder.us).

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Pig Feeder Made From Chemical Tote Farmer and innovator Jordan Green has developed a low-cost pastured-pig feeder that can be built in hours and will feed up to 30 pigs Green co-owns J & L Green Farm in Edinburg Va and is the founder of FarmBuilder an online consulting and teaching service for designing and operating profitable pasture-based livestock systems This pig feeder is one of many DIY projects he uses on his property Green was inspired to tackle this project when he found commercial feeders didn’t cut it in his high-movement pastured-pig operation Not only were they expensive but commercial feeders overflowed easily and often had issues with clogging in wet conditions Green built the first of four prototypes of his DIY feeder in April 2018 The latest model for which he sells PDF plans is the only feeder he uses on his property today “Extensively developed & tested on our farm over the last four years this feeder has revolutionized our ability to manage large groups of frequently moving feeder pigs on pasture with significant cost savings ” says Green In this version the chemical tote is held diagonally by a wooden cradle attached with ratchet straps making it easy to take the tank on and off Feed enters through the top of the tank and there’s a cut in the bottom through which feed falls into the feeding tray There are rollers/agitators along the bottom of the tank Pigs will hit them as they eat knocking more feed from the tote into the trough It’s possible to change the size of the rollers based on how sticky the feed is; larger rollers work best for pellet feed The tank allows for multiple ways to change the feed flow Says Green “The flow can be adjusted by using different size PVC pipes for the rollers in the cradle The smaller the pipe diameter the faster it will flow I’ve found 4 in works the best for the widest range of applications ” PVC guards on the legs of the cradle are necessary because the pigs love to use the wood as a scratching post On the first version pigs wore the wood down to half its width within a year While costs will vary depending on the price of the tank Green estimates the total construction costs to be around $200 to $300 per feeder Says Green “We’re probably using ten of these on the farm That’s $2 000 in costs as compared to $20 000 or $40 000 for commercial outdoor feeders ” Purchase downloadable plans to make your own feeder here: https://bit ly/3j3KVwD These plans include a lumber and hardware list and feed between 25 to 30 pigs each Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jordan Green FarmBuilder ph 540-333-1468 farmbuilders@gmail com www farmbuilder us

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