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Homemade Wooden Deer Feeders

Deer are commonly fed by wildlife lovers concerned about their welfare in winter, though some states discourage this practice. Hunters, keen to attract more deer, also sometimes feed them. The most common homemade deer feeders are made from PVC pipe, but wooden trough-style feeders are another option. The PVC feeders keep the feed more protected from the weather. Food on open troughs may get wet, so a roof is added.

Things You'll Need

1 red cedar fence board, 5/8 x 7 1/2 x 6-foot
2 red cedar fence boards, 5/8 x 5 1/2 x 6-foot
4 cedar fence rails, 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 8-foot
1 cedar fence rail, 5/8 x 3 1/2 x 8-foot
8-inch untreated cedar wood bevel siding, 12-foot
3 1/2 x 3 1/2 cedar fence post, optional
2 1/2-inch Brass wood screws
Carriage bolts with wing nuts,1/2-inch x 4-inch
Metal landscaping spikes, optional
Carpentry tools

Instructions

Trough Assembly
- 1
  Cut the 7 1/2-inch cedar board into two 36-inch lengths. Drill drainage holes in one --- this will form the trough bottom. Set aside the other piece.
- 2
  Saw one 5 1/2-inch fence board in two. Cut two 7 1/2-inch lengths from the remainder for trough ends.
- 3
  Screw the 5 1/2-inch sides and the trough ends to the 7 1/2-inch board, forming a trough. Pre-drill first.
Legs
- 4
  Cut two legs from a 1 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch rail 24 inches long for a free-standing feeder --- 36 inches long if setting into the ground. Align the top of each leg with the top of the trough ends. Drill pairs of vertically aligned 1/2-inch holes through both leg and trough end. Secure with carriage bolts.
- 5
  For free-standing feeders only, cut two 24-inch "feet" from the 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 fence post. Drill holes in these for the landscaping spikes that will secure the feeder to the ground.
- 6
  Attach feet to legs. Use either carpentered joints, screws or longer carriage bolts.
- 7
  Cut four 15-inch bracing pieces from another 1 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch rail. Attach these from a point about 12 inches up the leg, to the end of each foot.
Roof
- 8
  Cut four 36-inch lengths from the remaining 1 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch rails. Place these upright inside the corners of the trough. Pre-drill and screw together. Set aside the 2-foot off-cuts.
- 9
  Cut a 36-inch length of 3 1/2-inch rail. Retrieve the 36-inch x 7 1/2-inch board set aside earlier. Fix the narrower rail to the front side of the front uprights. Fix the wider board to the rear uprights, protruding 4 inches above them.
- 10
  Cut two 7 1/2-inch lengths of 3 1/2-inch rail. Attach these joining front to back, flush with the bottom of both rails.
- 11
  Retrieve the 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2-foot off-cuts. Screw these into the top of the roof support structure at each end, bridging from the higher back to the lower front, creating a slope.
- 12
  Cut the siding into three 4-foot lengths. Lay these across the slope, lapping edges and overhanging the feeder. Screw down the siding.
Finishing
- 13
  Drive landscaping spikes through the holes in the feet and into the ground on free-standing feeders. Bury the lower 12 inches of leg for static feeders. Cement in for permanence.
- 14
  Use penetrating oil if you require a finish. Avoid wood preservatives that may be toxic to deer --- cedar naturally resists decay.
- 15
  Line trough with feed-sack material, preventing food loss through drainage holes. Staple the material to the trough.

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