A homemade quail feeder can work as well as anything you'll buy — if you solve the one problem every quail keeper runs into: quail waste feed. They scratch, bill, and flick crumbles onto the floor, where it's contaminated and gone. Cut a plain hole in a bucket and you'll see it within a day.
The fix is a feeding port that lets birds reach the feed but won't let them fling it out. Here's how to build a DIY no-waste quail feeder from a container you already own.
What you need
- A container. A 5-gallon bucket, a storage tub, a bin, or PVC pipe — anything sturdy that holds feed and stays dry.
- Feed Saver Ports in the right size for your birds (see below).
- A drill and a hole saw matching the port diameter.
Pick the right port size
- 1" port — baby quail, hatch to about 3 weeks. Small enough that chicks can't climb into the feed.
- 1.5" port — standard adult Coturnix quail. The right size for most keepers.
- 2" port — Jumbo Coturnix, larger or crested breeds, and bantam chickens.
- 2.5" port — standard and large-breed chickens (see our chicken feeder port guide).
How many ports?
Plan on one port for every 3–5 birds. For a covey of 20 quail, 4–6 ports spaced around the container gives everyone room to eat without crowding.
Build it
- Mark your holes low on the side of the container, at a height your birds can reach, and space them out so birds aren't shoulder to shoulder.
- Drill each hole with a hole saw matching the port diameter.
- Press the ports in. They're designed for a snug fit, and every set includes step-by-step installation instructions for a permanent, secure fit.
- Fill and set it in the pen. Most people have a DIY feeder built in under 10 minutes.
Tip: if you have aggressive birds that still manage to flick some feed, or bedding keeps getting into the ports, set the feeder on a 1" board to raise it slightly.
Bucket, tub, or PVC?
- 5-gallon bucket: holds a lot of feed, has a handle, and is easy to find. Good for bigger coveys when you don't want to refill daily.
- Storage tub: a wide, low shape fits along a cage wall and gives you room for more ports.
- PVC pipe: works for keepers who want a feeder that fits a specific cage layout. Test-fit one port before you drill the rest.
Rather not drill?
Our ready-made feeders use the same ports, pre-installed:
- Feeder Bucket — 2 liters with a handle and snap-on lid, 6 ports, ideal for about 18–30 birds.
- Feeder Tub — 6 quarts with 8 ports, sized for bigger pens.
- Mason Jar Feeder — screws onto a wide-mouth jar, 8 ports, great for small coveys.
Not sure which fits your setup? Compare them in our no-waste quail feeder guide, or see why most quail feeders waste feed.
