Building an Automatic Pig Feeder With My 8yr old Daughter
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- We need to make an automatic pig feeder for our pasture raised pigs. We want to make sure they always have feed, this will help them grow faster and that means BACON! Pasture raised BACON! Yum!
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I was born and raised 20 minutes from Boston, MA. At the age of 17, I was diagnosed with Anxiety. My personal experience with the prescribed medication was NOT POSITIVE. So I decided to find better way. I didn't know it at the time but, that was the BEGINNING for me! I have been “FINDING A BETTER WAY” in all areas in my life ever since. Better ways of how to create a modern homestead affordably, and a better way to provide my family with healthy foods, and so….. much MORE!
At Lumnah Acres we hope our experiences can help guide you to find YOUR BETTER WAY! Please join us in sharing our journey with you, let us be a guide to Modern Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency, and FREEDOM for you!
Al...I just love your attitude! Instead of complaining about all the stuff there is to do....you just get on with it in such a good way. No wonder your daughter likes to join you when you're building a new project! And you are So Empowering her. She will take that confidence into her adult life and know that she is quite capable of building things and handling power tools. No Prob. That's Priceless. Thanks for sharing your life with us. xo Cate
p.s...a lot of Dads would just say...no...let me do this by myself...it's faster! But you take the time to let Olivia have the experience with you. That's so great!
Thank you! I hope she does! Yw!
I learn from watching and doing, and I want her to have that too. Plus she makes it so... much more enjoyable. We built our house here, We had a crazy died line that we wanted to get it done in and move in. We did. It came out awesome! Loved every bit of it. BUT I wish I had taken a bit more time and enjoyed it more. Not always easy for me to do! Lol. But I try to remind myself.Thanks, comments like this help remind me and remind me it is worth it!
Watching your videos to get inspired for our market pig project with our 10 year old son. Love hearing the birds sing, can’t wait for spring...in Maine.
The plants are doing great...and rain makes them come up faster also....Nice project....congrats to Olivia for getting excellent grades....Pluto is very loyal at your side!
Thanks! Yes the plants are loving the RAIN!
Watching you & Olivia makes me think back to the times my little buddy (kinda nephew) & I spent in my work shop doing little projects. Pure joy.
Thanks! Glad to bring back so great memories!
That feeder looks great and has a lot of character. You're a great modern steader and an even more awesome dad! Olivia is brilliant when helping you and has a lot of natural aptitude and confidence. I liked that she assessed your hardware choices, which made me chuckle. Well done Olivia on her results and well done you on yet another excellent video :)
Thank you! I think the feeder is nice and rustic! She is a great helper!
I just love that dog! Pluto is so much fun to watch when he runs...all legs and paws!!!
Thanks! She sure is! Lol. We think she is double jointed.
Awesome. My husband taught our daughter. Now that she's 26 she uses power tools. Just got done renovating the pantry almost all by herself. She hand cut the molding, trim..Laid a new floor and fixed the concrete that chipped a little.. everything. All I did was paint a little bit.She used a hand saw and a miter box. Then she built the shelves (metal) It's about ready, just waiting on shelf supports from the company. Next she wants to do the laundry room. She now has pl;ans to build some new animal housing and her biggest yet is a small run in barn for our horse.
That is Awesome! I can't wait till Olivia is doing that on her own! I bet your daughter felt great!
Hey brother, that was so assume to see you teaching your daughter that way.
It really blessed my heart.
Real fathers always prepare all of there children not to have to depend on someone else; especially there daughters.
Beautiful, strong, intelligent, independent women are what we raising here.....
Good job!
Thank you! Yes, let's raise them up right!
Had to watch again, great daughter. Great dad!
Olivia, great job helping Dad and on your grades! Treasure these times with your Dad they are priceless! When you are grown this will come in handy with your own children and working with others.
Al, another great project done well & practical. With what of seen in your VLOG you got pretty much the makings of a marketable book/DVD series called 'The Modern Homesteader'! God Bless You All @ Lumnah Acres.
Thank you! I don't know about a book or DVD series. I would have to get some creative juices flowing to come up with that. What was your idea?
So many of the homestead channels are from regions that have a longer growing season, more workable & and less costly acreage available, in very large rural regions. Your Homestead is exceptionally productive in a region that has very heavy competition from real estate development residential & commercial, as well as, a very short growing season and harsh winters, and on a very frugal budget!
I was thinking of organizing a more local/regional homesteading group to coop ideas, resources (business & technology), marketing,etc. It is obvious that your day is very full! So I'm not thinking of you doing a national tour or anything like the larger channels that have hired/volunteer/sponsered help maintaining their homesteads and producing/editing the VLOGs.
Thanks! What are you suggesting that I do? I am a little lost in the last paragraph but interested in what you are saying
Not only pretty, gr8 at building, but smart too! WTG Olivia!!!
I drink coffee all day, so right now I will take a break and fill my cup. Great job on the grades, Olivia. Our system was different-A, B, C, D, F.
Thanks! :) Its crazy how they change the system
CONGRATULATIONS sweetie on YOUR report card I JUST LOVE how this LITTLE ANGEL is growing up SO FAST omg she's 8 years old I saw one she MUCH YOUNG aww JUST LOOK AT THIS PROUD DADDY LOVE WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS MISS MOMMY on THIS VIDEO
Great project!
Olivia - those grades are great! The more you know, the better prepared you are in life.
Dad - Are you excited for the day you walk into your workshop and find something Olivia has built entirely alone?
My dad was happy until he found a part he had been looking for, but it wasn't a huge deal. He took me to buy the part, again, for his work on the farm. (My entire "allowance" was earned on the farm working.)
I will be very proud of that day! That is a good story and great memories!
Of course all homesteading girls are super smart! Way To Go Olivia! And you are a great carpenter too! You Can Do Anything! Great Pig Feeder! Love This Video!
Thanks! She gets her smarts from her mom! Thanks LOL
Great Job Olivia!!!!
Al that feeder is awesome, you are a very talented carpenter.
Thank you!
Thanks!
It's always a pleasure watching how seamlessly you build, quite a gift! And YAY! Olivia, way to go and Happy Summer! WooHoo!
Thank you! Very proud of Olivia!
Great video and congrats to Olivia doing such a good job on her schooling. Really enjoyed the video and the overall content.
Thank you!
Great stuff. Wonderful to see kids working with their folks projects. Imagine how self reliant she will be when she gets older. And folding clothes neatly, too! She obviously gets good grades because she's learned to work hard. Good job!
Thank you! Yup work is good for kids!
Beautiful daddy daughter time! Great job Olivia!!👍
Thank you! We always have a good time working together.
Congratulations on your report card! The knowledge and experience you have with working with your dad is priceless🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
The best part is she enjoys helping
Two big Thumbs UP! Nice job Oliva!!! Nice job Mom & Dad!
Thanks!
What a great little helper! She'll be a bit intimidating to the fella that she ends up with when it comes to building skills! lol
Chuck
Lol, I was thinking that myself!
I laughed so hard at this... I always say that about my daugter since she has such a strong will and is way to smart.
Congratulations on your great report card Olivia!!
And a great job on the pig feeder, to both you & your Dad!!
Thank you! Olivia is very proud!
Congrats on the report card Olivia and nice job on the feeder
Thank you!
Congratulations to Olivia. Nice feeder.
Great job Olivia! Great job on the pig feeder too!
Thanks!
Good job Olivia now enjoy your summer days!!
Thank you!
I love to see you showing Olivia how to build things! I'm pretty good about learning new things, but I'm super intimidated by power tools. It's a skill she'll be so glad she has later in life!
Thank you! If an 8-year-old can do it so can you! :)
Great job livy I'm shure you you worked real hard at school. And I heard your practice the flute you shure have a great work ethics like your dad. Im.shure you can do anything you set your mind to. Very proud of you kiddo
Great looking feeder and well done on the grades Olivia.
Thank you! I will tell her!
You rocked the report card Olivia! I dont know which area you do better in: School or Helping your Dad with Projects. Both Excellent!
Both! Right
AL, thank you for the video,keep them comming
Great job Olivia, just trying to catch up on your videos. Love your family and all that your accomplishing.
Thanks,
Great job Olivia on the report card.
Thanks!
Way to go Olivia! Enjoy summer vacation!
Thanks!
Olivia congrats on the grades, and great job on showing Dad how to build the pig feeder, he needs good supervision. :D I noticed Blackie keeping an eye on him also.
Great move using the roofing membrane on the bottom. If the glue doesn't hold, try some 1" roofing nails along the side. The beauty of that membrane is it's self healing, so the nail holes, no problem. You might have some leakage where the feeder lids are hinged, looks like a pretty good gap. I might suggest, checking at a local shop that does tires, see if you can score some used innertube. Cut it up to make flaps you can staple or nail to the top of the cross brace on the upright portion and flop down over the gap and doors. It shouldn't interfere at all with the piggies accessing the feed, might just keep it dry.
Why would you buy plywood when you have all that great rough pine on hand? The things you're making for the homestead should last for years.
Thanks! We hope they last. With the rubber I just don't know it I want it that close to my pig's feed? I have some but hesitant to use it.
I understand where your hesitance comes from, chemical contamination. Innertube rubber is natural rubber, and inert. The same rubber as the bladder in your well's pressure tank, therefore food safe. I wouldn't recommend it otherwise. Actually the HDPE plastic buckets, and water containers, while "food safe", can break down from exposure to UV (sunlight), and should be replaced annually. The PET plastic of your carboys should also be kept out of the sun. If they start getting hazy, replace them. Then there is the PVC of your rainwater collection system on New Yolk City. PVC is used primarily for waste water. Exposure to heat causes it to off gas and break down, it doesn't like UV either. For potable water, and exposure you're safer using CPVC, which is more stable. It's not my intention to freak you out about your plastics. Just some things to keep in mind, and consider regarding regular replacement.
Plastics are an area of study due to my home brewing. Contamination is a big factor, and why I do all my brewing in glass, and stainless steel. I have used HDPE, and PET, but replaced them often. I also recycle plastics as much as possible. I, much like you, am concerned with what goes in my food, and therefore my body.
Thank you! I never knew that about inner tubes be natural rubber!
Good job Olivia.
Thank you!
Love this build!
good job guy's! thanks for sharing
Thanks! YW
Very helpful video
&
Your daughter is soo cute 😊😊😊😊😊😊
Great job Olivia on the report card. I really like the pig feeder I was thinking of building one, but my concern was that rain would still seep in and ruin the grain. Since the boards are just butted together and there's no flashing on the hinges. I've thought about having a tin roof that overhangs over the feeder doors for extra protection. I wish you good luck with it and hope you keep us posted with updates on how it works once you put it to work, in with the pigs. Thanks AL
The overhanging lid sounds like a good idea. Depending on whether it's a potential hazard for the pigs, could maybe give the feeder a good coat of varnish that also seals up any gaps if seeping rain is an issue? Failing that I'd go with covering it in a heavy duty foil of some sort perhaps?
I think the tin roof is a good idea. If the grain gets a little wet the pigs will still eat it. I will keep you posted.
I was thinking about using an oil finish on it.
Simon B varnish is bad outdoors specially for livestock, do to when wood varnished surfaces are exposed outside in weather and sun it begins to bubble and then flake off and pigs will definitely eat it. I would use a mineral oil or boiled linseed oil to help protect the wood. My main concern is will the top or the doors leaking. Thanks
Portugee Prepper Fair enough. I'm not really wishing to argue the point, although whether the varnish would bubble and flake simply through exposure to the weather would somewhat depend upon the nature of the varnish. Marine / yacht varnish for instance would not be of much use if that were indeed the case. That said, I was only using the term varnish to loosely represent a clear protective coating of some sort, be that varnish, oils or other similar materials.
Good Job Olivia!!!
Thank you
Way to go Olivia. Enjoy summer vacation. :)
Thanks!
great job Olivia with your grades congrats,great job with the pig feeder Dad i l ike how neat and finish your work looks very professional .enjoyed looking forward to tomorrow's video. God bless bye.👍💕💕💕🐓🐔🐖🐷🐷
Thank you! I can't wait to know what you think of tomorrows video!
OLIVIA just a message from your ozzy freind fantastic work on your report card your doing very well at school keep it up angel
Great job Olivia. Your pile of rough sawed lumber..just keeps giving. So when do you build the cold smoke house? Save and or use the apple tree pruning and wood. Next year's father's day .meat grinder. an American Homestead has excellent 1st time results. Olivia is becoming quite the helper. I'm still chasing puppies waiting on grand children.
Thanks! An American Homestead is having excellent results with? Chasing puppies! Lol
Art and Brie are chasing puppies also. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Love the smoker Idea! I have plenty of pine!
Nice job on the grades...keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Olivia inherited you talent with woodworking too,
Thank you!
Great job with your grades. Nice feeder.
Hi there - I'm a new subscriber and I'm enjoying your videos. We raise pigs and we've been talking about building something like this. You guys did a great job! :)
Thank you! Glad to hear you are enjoying the channel! We can't wait to get the pigs on pasture and get this feed to work! What breed of pigs do you raise?
Our sows are Yorkshire/Berkshire x and our boar is A berkshire/Landrace/Pietrain x. We are breeding for hardiness and good feed and pasture to meat conversion. So far, so good. They are growing more slowly than we would like so we're thinking of adding another breed of boar into the mix.
Sounds like you got a good mix there! Keep it up! What state are you in?
We're up in B.C, Canada.
Very nice video and congrats on awesome grades!
Thanks!
Nice job on the pig feeder. If you can, please show the wing clipping. Good job Olivia, enjoy your summer vacation :)
Thanks! Yes we plan on showing it!
Great feeder, Al
Thank you!
great job olivia
Good job on the feeder. Can I make a couple of suggestions? There are a couple of things that I would do to give it a little more strength. First I would secure it to a base of some kind to keep it up off the ground and moisture and also as the pigs get bigger they will root more and use the feeder to scratch on. Second I would secure the flip up lids with two hinges apiece to make them stronger. You two did an awesome build, your going to get a lot of use out of it....................High five Olivia.............
Thanks, great tip!
New to your channel, but love the videos - going back and watching them all. What saw and stand do you use? I would love to get something like that for my hubby. Happy New Year from my family to yours!
Looks great Al! Good job Olivia on your grades!
Right before you said you had to go buy screws I was wondering how many pounds of screws you go through 😉
Thanks! Lol
Ordered my scoby last night and went for supplies today.
Awesome! Where did you order the scoby from? If you don't mind me asking.
I FINALLY found the automatic feeder video!! YAAA! Okay...coffee...it’s my BLOOD! Great video, glad I found it! My Gina loves her kombucha...making her own but, I need her to make a coffee flavored batch!!😉
I was thinking the needs to be coffee flavored konbucha
Added to my wishlist...I need this built for my goats alfalfa pellets
I bet the goats would love this!
I always did well on my report cards but they used A,B,C,D and F. Also plus + and minus - with a lettet grade. I was doing so well I was sure D stood for Dynamite and F meant fantastic!
Another great video!
Thank you!
Happy summer to u all!!
Thanks!
Nice job at school Olivia :)
Thank you!
Hi Al, great video. Just wondering how the pig feeder held up. I don’t recall seeing it in your recent videos. We have just had pigs for the first time and looking to build something similar. Thanks for sharing. John
Good points on the choice of lumber to use. I only have access to pine lumber, kiln dried but not sealed. Would this be okay as-is for something that will be outside or should it be treated to keep it from rotting? Any chance of getting a rough sketch of the build plans?
Yes we are using pine also. I will have to do a sketch and put it on www.lumnahacres.com
Awesome, thank you! I'll check the site. Will be getting my first feeder pig early next year. Using this time to build the pen, surround it with electric, reinforce exterior fencing, and build this feeder! So really no need to treat the pine?! Never woulda thought.
I wouldn't worry too much about chemical leakage from plywood, especially if you use marine grade, as the glues lose most of their volatile chemicals in the setting process. Pine probably contains more volatile chemicals than birch ply, after all pine can be used as a feedstock for turpentine and tar extraction.
.lol it would last longer if you us mahogany lol. great job Olivia
I know RIGHT! :) Thanks!
Dude,you have so much wood.That nice to have!
We do! Thanks! It is a real blessing!
Feeder is awesome. Where do you get the lumber that is in your extra lumber pile? ~Smile!
There is a local sawmill in town. Thank you
great project
Thanks!
dang I wish we had a lumber mill close by, definitely jealous of the lumber pile :)
It is nice to have a lumber pile in the yard
Good job on the grades
Great grades.
Thanks!
Do you think the pigs might chew on the wood?
Looks great by the way!
Thanks! They could but I don't think they will as long as there is feed in it.
have you thought about a time lapse on the growth. like just pick one that you think will look cool. maybe inside the covered bed?
Good suggestion! I might have to hook up a go pro!
We are all proud of Olivia! What about the duck under New Yolk City? :)
Thanks! Watch Friday's Video! :)
hi al, if you can find some bunny droppings and put on plants! then they will really grow! I put on my strawberries.
We had rabbits in MA! We loved them for their Poop! We also did worm composting with it!
What is the difference between the glue used to make plywood and the glue you are using?
WHOOOO HOOO OLIVIA!
Thanks!
I need to hire Olivia for the summer :) Good job on those grades :)
Lol! She would love it! What are you hiring her for! :) Thanks!
All my little homestead projects and of coarse to be my chicken whisperer :)
Woot-Woot! She said ok where do you live? Lol
yeah Olivia! !!!!
Woot-Woot!
Love the videos! Just wanted to say on this one, you didnt want plywood because of the glue and chemicals. Then you squirt a bottle of glue on the pine lol.
Had to give you a hard time bud! Keep them coming!
On my report cards I got a few 'D's, which means delightful, and a few 'F's, which means fantastic.
Lol!
Make sure to introduce them at night. after dark, it works like a charm for us every time. It will take time to establish a new pecking order, but they will just think they are supposed to be there together. Hope this helps
Thanks! We are doing it tonight!
looks like it's time to mulch that bed soon. it must be growing crazy with the heat we had and this never-ending rain.
awesome job on your report card, Olivia! (hint, hint, Al and Gina) i hope Mom and Dad rewarded you for doing so well.
something that i noticed that concerns me... i see that Olivia is chewing gum and i don't know if you are aware of it but gum is full of neurotoxins and chemicals that cause all kinds of health issues. ask Stacy to tell you about it.
Thank you! Great info!
You seem to know how to make anything, is your other job a carpenter. Good job
do you have the dimensions for this? I would like to build one!
I liked the part where you said you dont want to use plywood because of all the glue then immediately proceed to start gluing boards together. Good looking feeder though
You mentioned clipping Icelandic's wings. I need to clip our rabbit's nails. Have no idea what tool to use or how to do that. Know anyone with decent videos that shows how?
Get a set of dog toenail clippers. Don't cut too far up.
Thank you.
We love Kombucha but don't want my little ones drinking too much caffine. Water kefir is also good and easy to make and caffeine free.
Thank you! Good to know about the caffeine!
looks like an interesting feeder...if it really works then it is also practical. The kid looks like a smart and educated one by her parents, however, do not be too thrilled about the "marks" received from the schooling system, as there are a lot of lies and misinformation dumped into the innocent and crude minds of children, by the powers that be, through, the schooling system, media..... An open and inquisitive mind, is something to treasure in everything you want to truly understand, be it a functionality of the human body, a construction,repair, or anything you encounter.
Being that you used rough sawn instead of mahogany, who is going to pull the splinters out of the pigs noses? ;o)
Thats it I better rebuild it with Mahogany! :)
Preaches about using plywood with all it's glue then prodeeds to slather glue all over his natural pine boards lol.
Nice build
If you are going to do rotational grazing with the pigs:
Use the feeder to encourage the pigs to return to their shelter area each evening.
That way you can move the fence to another area before you let them out the next day.
Saw that method on another video.
Seemed to work to allow managing where the pigs worked each day.
We plan on having the pigs on pasture. We will keep the feeder near their housing. Thanks
So you are not going to use rotational grazing in your pasture?
We might. It depends on were we end up using them and how much disturbance we want
👍 👍
Olivia, I'm really proud of you for both helping out so much and for such a good report card.
Nice feeder. I've never seen that Grace stuff before. It seem like a good idea; let's see how it works.
Maybe Blackie could benefit from a hen apron. I've used them on my birds with good results. If you are on Facebook, you can see them on my birds at facebook.com/kirsten.whitworth.1/media_set?set=a.10204801745181464.1073741833.1173274472&type=3; if not, there are some here: www.hensaver.com/hen-apron.html. BTW - my birds did not like the kind with the elastic that crosses over their breast. I think they would be pretty easy to make, if anyone in the house sews.
Thank you!
Jig Sawrr. lol
Daughters ROKK!
Thank you!
😀👍👍❤