Best Deer Feeder Kits for 55-Gallon Drums (2026)
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The short answer
The best deer feeder kit for 55 gallon drum setups is the ASF Barrel Buddy — the only kit here that converts a bare drum into a complete, low-profile stand-and-fill feeder in one box: 12V motor, timer, spinner plate, anchor pins and even the hole saw. If you want a conventional tripod drum feeder with real 12V power, the Boss Buck Auto Feed Kit Large is the strongest spin conversion, and the Moultrie Pro Hunter II Kit does the same job for the least money. Feeding protein instead of corn? Skip motors entirely — the Boss Buck Protein Lower Unit turns your drum into a gravity feeder with nothing to charge, program or replace. Every kit below was checked against its manufacturer’s own store on October 22, 2026, including what each kit pointedly does not include.
Three fast choices
Pick by your build. Read the trade-off before opening the retailer.
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ASF Barrel Buddy
The only true one-box drum conversion: 12V timer (up to 6 feed settings), motor, large spinner plate, anchor pins, down spout and a 2-inch hole saw in the box.
Caution: cutting the drum is permanent — dry-fit everything before you drill.
Boss Buck Auto Feed Kit Large 12V
The heavy-duty spin conversion for a 55-gallon drum: large 12V motor and digital timer from the Boss Buck parts line.
Caution: a spinner throws feed in a circle — pair it with a varmint strategy, not just a timer.
Moultrie Pro Hunter II Kit
The budget benchmark: Easy Set timer (up to 6 daily feed times), 6V motor and a Quick-Lock adapter that fits most drum setups.
Caution: 6V system — budget for the battery and a solar panel if the drum sits far from the house.
Feeder kits at a glance
| Kit | Best for | Type | Power | Price signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASF Barrel Buddy | Complete one-box conversion | Spin, low-profile | 12V | Check Price → |
| Boss Buck Auto Feed Kit Large | Strongest spin conversion | Spin | 12V | Check Price → |
| Moultrie Pro Hunter II Kit | Budget builds | Spin | 6V | Check Price → |
| Boss Buck Protein Lower Unit | Gravity protein feeding | Gravity | None | Check Price → |
| Moultrie Feed Hub Pro Hunter II Kit | Remote control by phone | Spin, cellular | 6V | Check Price → |
 American Hunter SunSlinger Kit | Solar included | Spin | 6V | Check Price → |
| ASF 12V Spin Control Unit | Rebuilds & scratch builds | Spin | 12V | Check Price → |
Prices quoted in this guide are manufacturer-store prices checked October 22, 2026; the Amazon buttons show live prices. No kit on this page includes the drum itself.
Kit vs parts: choosing a deer feeder kit for 55 gallon drum builds
“Feeder kit” means three different things in this market, and mixing them up is how builds stall half-finished:
- Complete conversion kits (Barrel Buddy) bundle the motor unit, timer, mounting hardware and the consumables — legs or anchors, sometimes the hole saw — to take a bare drum to a working feeder.
- Motor/timer kits (Boss Buck Auto Kit, Pro Hunter II, SunSlinger, ASF control units) are the dispensing unit only: motor, timer, spinner and mount. Legs, funnel, lid and battery are separate line items.
- Gravity conversions (Protein Lower Unit, protein heads) replace the whole motor question with a feed head. No battery, no timer — and no portion control.
Whichever route you take, the full parts list for a drum build is: drum, dispensing kit, legs or a leg band, an internal funnel (so feed actually reaches the outlet instead of flat-spotting), a lid, and — for spin kits — a battery. Our DIY drum feeder build guide walks the assembly itself; this page is about choosing the kit at the centre of it.
How we picked
We pulled every kit below from its manufacturer’s own store or catalogue on October 22, 2026 — All Seasons Feeders, Boss Buck and Moultrie — and recorded what’s in the box, the power system, and the price with its date. Two honesty rules shaped the ranking. First, we did not field-test these kits; scores are design, completeness and value judgments, and where a kit appears in our other guides we say so. Second, where sources disagreed — the Pro Hunter II’s timer spec is the case here — we print the conservative figure and flag the disagreement rather than picking the flattering one.
Deer feeder kits, reviewed
1. ASF Barrel Buddy — best complete drum kit · 9.0/10
Every other kit on this page builds a tripod feeder. The Barrel Buddy does something smarter with the same drum: ASF’s patented conversion (US patent D891,003 S) turns any 55-gallon drum into a low-profile feeder you fill from the ground — no ladder, no winch, no 9-foot fill height. The kit is heavy-duty powder-coated metal with a high-power 12V system: ASF’s EZ Timer with up to 6 feed settings, a 12V motor and a large round spinner plate, in a varmint-resistant housing. ASF rates the throw at up to 40 feet of corn. What earns it the top spot is the box contents: timer, motor, spinner plate, four anchor pins, a down spout and a 2-inch hole saw — the tool most DIY builds stall on is in the kit.
At $225 at allseasonsfeeders.com (checked October 22, 2026, in stock) it’s the priciest kit here — and still the cheapest route to a stand-and-fill feeder, a format that starts around $530 in Boss Buck’s ready-made sled line. The trade-offs: it’s a fixed low-profile station (you’re not moving it weekly), and the low feed height that makes filling easy also makes a feeder pen more important in hog country.
✅ Pros
- Only true one-box drum conversion: timer, motor, spinner, anchors, hole saw
- Low-profile design — fill a 55-gal drum from the ground
- 12V power with up to 6 feed settings; ASF rates throw to 40 ft
- Varmint-resistant metal housing
❌ Cons
- Highest kit price here ($225)
- Fixed station — not a portable tripod build
- Low feed height needs a pen in hog country
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fits | Any 55-gallon drum |
| System | 12V motor + EZ Timer, up to 6 feed settings |
| In the box | Timer, motor, large round spinner plate, 4 anchor pins, down spout, 2″ hole saw |
| Construction | Heavy-duty metal, powder coated; varmint-resistant design |
| Price checked | $225 at allseasonsfeeders.com, October 22, 2026 |
Skip it if: you want a raised tripod feeder you can relocate — build around a motor kit and legs instead.
2. Boss Buck Auto Feed Kit Large 12V — best spin conversion · 8.8/10
The same kit we recommend for converting Boss Buck’s gravity hoppers in our Boss Buck hub is also the strongest drum conversion here: a high-torque 12V motor, 5-inch swing-door slinger, heavy-duty steel mounting plate and control box, thumb-bolt quick attach, and knock-outs for a box-mount or barrel-mount solar panel. Boss Buck’s seasonal logic applies to drums too — but note the honest limit: on a drum this kit is the dispensing unit; legs, funnel and lid come from the parts section below. Warranty frame from Boss Buck’s FAQ: 1 year on the motor, 2 years on the timer, and salt-based feed through the control system voids the parts warranty.
✅ Pros
- High-torque 12V motor handles corn and pellet mixes
- Steel plate and control box; thumb-bolt quick attach
- Solar knock-outs for box- or barrel-mount panels
- Timer carries a 2-year warranty
❌ Cons
- Dispensing unit only — legs, funnel, lid and battery extra
- 12V battery costs more than 6V equivalents
- Salt-based feeds void the parts warranty
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | 12V high-torque motor, 5″ swing-door slinger, timer |
| Mount | Steel mounting plate + control box, thumb-bolt attach |
| Solar | Knock-outs for box-mount or barrel-mount panel |
| Warranty | Motor 1 year · timer 2 years (Boss Buck FAQ) |
| Price checked | $154.99 at bossbuck.com, October 22, 2026 |
Skip it if: the budget is the build — the Pro Hunter II below spins corn for roughly a third of the price.
3. Moultrie Pro Hunter II Kit — best budget spin kit · 8.6/10
The Pro Hunter II is the default budget answer for a reason: Moultrie’s Quick-Lock system twists the kit onto any Quick-Lock hopper — and onto drums via the adapter — with no tools, the adjustable internal funnel keeps feed flowing into the spinner plate without extra assembly, and the Easy Set digital timer runs for months on a single 6V rechargeable battery. Dealer listings quoting Moultrie’s spec put the timer at up to 6 daily feed times of 1–20 seconds; some retail listings describe a 10-time, 1–60-second revision, so check the box if the difference matters to you — either way it’s more scheduling than a corn program needs. At $58.99 from a Moultrie dealer (checked October 22, 2026) it’s the cheapest credible way to motorise a drum, and its 6V running costs stay low for years.
✅ Pros
- Cheapest credible spin kit here
- Quick-Lock twist-on mounting — no tools
- Adjustable internal funnel improves feed flow
- Runs months on one 6V rechargeable battery
❌ Cons
- Timer specs differ between listings — verify the revision
- 6V torque is for corn and light pellets, not heavy mixes
- Legs, funnel for drums and battery are separate purchases
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | 6V motor + Easy Set digital timer |
| Timer | Up to 6 daily feed times, 1–20 sec (dealer-listed spec; some listings show a 10-time revision) |
| Mount | Quick-Lock adapter included — twist-on, twist-off |
| Extras | Adjustable internal funnel; external power port for Moultrie solar |
| Price checked | $58.99 at a Moultrie dealer, October 22, 2026 |
Skip it if: you feed heavy pellet mixes or want 12V torque — step up to the Boss Buck or ASF 12V units.
4. Boss Buck Protein Lower Unit — best gravity conversion · 8.5/10
Not every drum needs a motor. The Protein Lower Unit bolts Boss Buck’s patented 3-way gravity head under your barrel and turns it into a free-choice protein feeder: no battery to die in February, no timer to program, no spinner for raccoons to spin by paw. It’s the conversion we’d choose for a spring/summer protein station, and it pairs with Boss Buck’s Barrel Band Leg Kit (§below) for a no-drill build. The gravity limits are the format’s, not this product’s: feed is always available, so there’s no portion or night control, and protein pellets at an open station are shared with everything that finds them. Full gravity context is in our gravity feeder guide.
✅ Pros
- Zero power, zero programming — nothing to fail
- Boss Buck’s patented 3-way gravity head design
- Ideal for free-choice protein programs
- Pairs with the no-drill Barrel Band Leg Kit
❌ Cons
- No portion, schedule or night control
- Open feeding — varmints share the station
- Gravity head only; legs/band and lid separate
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Gravity conversion — 3-way feed head |
| Power | None |
| Fits | 55-gallon drums/barrels |
| Price checked | $159.99 at bossbuck.com, October 22, 2026 |
Skip it if: you feed corn on a schedule — gravity can’t ration; choose a spin kit.
5. Moultrie Feed Hub Pro Hunter II Kit — best cellular upgrade · 8.4/10
The Feed Hub kit is a Pro Hunter II with its standard timer replaced by a pre-installed cellular timer: from the Moultrie app you set up to 10 feed times a day (or sync to sunrise/sunset), check the feed level without driving to the lease, get clog, jam and low-battery alerts, and trigger a feeding on demand. For drum builds, the kit includes the adapter ring that converts steel barrels and other brands’ hoppers to Quick-Lock — Moultrie designed this as an upgrade path, not a Moultrie-only lock-in.
The honest costs: the feeder features need an active Moultrie Mobile subscription ($6.99/month or $49.99/year, per Moultrie), and the kit was out of stock at moultrie.com on October 22, 2026 — dealer and Amazon stock is the realistic route. On remote land you check monthly, the subscription can pay for itself in saved trips; on land you visit weekly, it’s a luxury.
✅ Pros
- Phone control: schedules, feed level, clog and battery alerts
- Feed on demand from the app
- Adapter ring converts steel barrels to Quick-Lock
- Built on the proven Pro Hunter II platform
❌ Cons
- Requires a paid subscription ($6.99/mo or $49.99/yr)
- Out of stock at Moultrie direct (Oct 22, 2026)
- Needs cellular coverage at the feeder site
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | Pro Hunter II kit + pre-installed cellular timer |
| Timer | Up to 10 feed times/day via app; sunrise/sunset sync |
| Monitoring | Feed level, clog/jam and low-battery alerts; feed on demand |
| Subscription | $6.99/month or $49.99/year (Moultrie Mobile) |
| Price checked | $69.99 at moultrie.com (out of stock), October 22, 2026 |
Skip it if: your feeder site has no cell signal — the standard Pro Hunter II kit does the feeding for less.
6. American Hunter SunSlinger Kit — best solar-included kit · 8.3/10
Most kits assume you’ll sort power out yourself. The SunSlinger — American Hunter’s kit, sold through the combined Boss Buck | American Hunter store — builds a solar charger into a 6V spin kit and encloses the whole unit in a varmint cage, which solves the two most common drum-build failures (dead batteries and raccoon-wrecked spinners) in one box at $84.99. The timer offers two Q-Set programs (6:30 AM and PM, at 3 or 5 seconds) plus 1–16 custom times with 0–60 second runs. One clarification, because the name misleads people: the current SunSlinger listing is a spin-plate broadcast kit — it does not claim a directional throw. Full brand context is in our Boss Buck hub, which untangles what’s American Hunter and what isn’t on that store.
✅ Pros
- Built-in solar charger — no separate panel to buy or mount
- Fully enclosed varmint cage included
- Q-Set presets plus up to 16 custom feed times
- Mid-price, complete power story
❌ Cons
- 6V system — lighter torque than the 12V kits
- Broadcast spinner, not directional despite the name
- Legs, funnel and lid still separate
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | 6V spin kit with built-in solar charger |
| Timer | 2 Q-Set programs + 1–16 custom times, 0–60 sec runs |
| Protection | Fully enclosed varmint cage |
| Price checked | $84.99 at bossbuck.com, October 22, 2026 |
Skip it if: you want 12V power or a directional throw — neither is what this kit is.
7. ASF 12V Spin Control Unit — best for rebuilds · 8.2/10
ASF sells this unit for exactly two jobs — replacing a worn control unit on an existing feeder, and serving as the engine of a scratch-built spin feeder — and it’s honestly specified for both: ASF digital timer (1-year warranty), 12V motor, ¼-inch gate plate, galvanized steel housing and mounting hardware, in a 12″ × 8″ × 10″, 9 lb package that dispenses about 1.5 lb of corn per 4 seconds of run time. Battery is not included. ASF also sells two step-up control units ($149 and the $189 Evolution) if you want more timer. The catch on the research date: the $109 unit was out of stock at ASF direct (October 22, 2026), so this is a check-dealer-stock pick — ASF’s dealer network is the reliable route. If you’re reviving a dead feeder rather than building new, start with our diagnosis hub before ordering — half of “dead” units are a battery or a corroded connection.
✅ Pros
- Galvanized steel housing — built to be serviced, not binned
- 12V motor with ¼″ gate plate for corn and pellets
- Published dispense rate (1.5 lb per 4 sec) aids timer math
- ASF’s parts ecosystem behind it
❌ Cons
- Out of stock at ASF direct on the research date
- Battery not included
- A control unit, not a kit — everything else is on you
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | 12V motor + ASF digital timer (1-year warranty) |
| Housing | Galvanized steel; mounting hardware included |
| Size / output | 12″ × 8″ × 10″, 9 lb; ~1.5 lb corn per 4 sec |
| Price checked | $109 at allseasonsfeeders.com (out of stock), October 22, 2026 |
Skip it if: this is your first build — a complete kit (Barrel Buddy) or a Quick-Lock kit is a gentler start.
Legs, funnels & lids: completing the build
A motor kit alone doesn’t make a feeder. The parts that finish a drum build, all verified at the manufacturers’ stores on October 22, 2026:
- Boss Buck Barrel Band Leg Kit — $89.99. Wraps the drum’s base with no drilling (Boss Buck notes drilled drums develop moisture problems) and holds up to 600 lb.
- ASF Barrel Band — $55 and Bolt-On Stub Legs — $50. ASF’s steel route to standing a drum up; the band-and-stub-leg combination is the budget leg solution here.
- Funnels: ASF 55-Gallon Drum/Barrel Funnel — $60; Boss Buck spun-steel funnel — $54.99. Skip the funnel and feed flat-spots at the drum’s edges — it’s the cheapest part that most affects reliability.
- Lids: ASF 55-Gallon Drum Lid (galvanized steel) — $60; Boss Buck slip-on lid — $79.99.
- Gravity heads (parts route): ASF Protein Head 4″ Galvanized — $90 (sold out on the research date); Boss Buck 3-way and 4-way gravity heads — $89.99–$129.99.
- Power add-ons: ASF 12V flat-mount solar panel — $29.99; Boss Buck 12V 7Ah rechargeable battery — $29.99 and 12V Universal Solar Panel — $49.99.
- Varmint parts: ASF Varmint Basket — $35; Boss Buck varmint cage — $33.99. Our varmint guard roundup covers the full defense picture.
The complete catalogue view — motors, timers and every small part — is in our parts & accessories guide.
What a complete drum build really costs
| Build | Kit + key parts | Total (kit & parts) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget spin build | Pro Hunter II Kit $58.99 + ASF Barrel Band $55 + ASF stub legs $50 + ASF funnel $60 | ≈ $224 + your drum and a 6V battery |
| Complete low-profile build | Barrel Buddy $225 (legs/anchors and hole saw included) | $225 + your drum |
| 12V power build | Boss Buck Auto Kit $154.99 + Barrel Band Leg Kit $89.99 + funnel $54.99 + 12V battery $29.99 | ≈ $330 + your drum |
| Gravity protein build | Protein Lower Unit $159.99 + Barrel Band Leg Kit $89.99 + lid $79.99 | ≈ $330 + your drum |
Kit and parts prices are manufacturer-store snapshots checked October 22, 2026. Drums are sourced locally — used food-grade 55-gallon drums are the standard choice, and prices vary too much by area to print honestly.
The comparison that matters: a complete factory feeder with this capacity runs $300–$630 in our main guide. A drum build only wins if your drum is cheap and you value the repairability — every part of a drum feeder is replaceable off a shelf, which is why lease hunters keep building them.
Drum feeder resources
- DIY 55-Gallon Drum Deer Feeder — the full build guide these kits plug into
- Best Deer Feeder Parts & Accessories
- Boss Buck Feeders — every Boss Buck model and part compared
- Best Automatic Deer Feeders
- Best Gravity Deer Feeders
- Best Deer Feeder Varmint Guards
- Deer Feeder Not Working? — diagnose before you replace
- Deer Feeder Reviews — the hub for every feeder type
- Shop — kits and parts in our catalogue
- ASF barrel feeder parts — the manufacturer’s own parts catalogue
- Moultrie Feed Hub kit — the cellular kit at Moultrie
Feeder kit FAQs
What is the best deer feeder kit for a 55 gallon drum?
The ASF Barrel Buddy is the best complete kit: it converts a bare drum into a low-profile, ground-fill feeder with the 12V timer, motor, spinner plate, anchor pins and hole saw in one box ($225 at ASF, October 2026). For a tripod build, the Boss Buck Auto Feed Kit Large is the strongest 12V conversion and the Moultrie Pro Hunter II Kit is the best budget pick.
Does a feeder kit include the drum?
No. Every kit in this guide is the dispensing system and hardware — the 55-gallon drum is yours to source. Used food-grade steel drums are the standard choice; make sure the drum is clean, rust-free inside, and has a removable or replaceable lid.
Should I use a steel or plastic drum?
Steel is the safer default: it resists chewing, takes leg bands and mounted hardware well, and matches most kits’ fittings (Moultrie’s Feed Hub adapter ring is made for steel barrels). Plastic drums are lighter and won’t rust, but squirrels and raccoons chew them, and some mounting hardware grips poorly. Boss Buck also notes that drilling a drum invites moisture problems — its Barrel Band Leg Kit exists specifically to avoid holes.
What’s the difference between a spin kit and a gravity kit?
A spin kit uses a battery, timer and motor to broadcast feed at set times — portion control and predictable deer patterns, at the cost of batteries and electronics. A gravity kit (like the Boss Buck Protein Lower Unit) feeds free-choice through ports with no power at all: nothing to maintain, but no scheduling or rationing. Protein programs usually run gravity; corn feeding usually runs spin.
What battery does a drum feeder kit need?
It follows the kit: Boss Buck and ASF spin kits are 12V (Boss Buck’s own 12V 7Ah rechargeable is $29.99); Moultrie Pro Hunter II and American Hunter SunSlinger kits are 6V. A solar panel matched to the voltage (ASF’s 12V flat-mount is $29.99; the SunSlinger has solar built in) stretches a battery from weeks to a season.
Do these kits fit smaller drums?
Some do. ASF sells its barrel parts for 30 and 50-gallon drums as well as 55s, and control units mount under almost any hopper. Boss Buck’s drum parts — the Protein Lower Unit and Barrel Band Leg Kit — are built around the 55-gallon drum. Check the kit’s stated drum size before ordering; a leg band sized for a 55 won’t cinch a 30.
How long does it take to build a drum feeder from a kit?
Plan on an afternoon for a first build. The Barrel Buddy is the fastest route because the hole saw and hardware are in the box; Quick-Lock kits twist on in minutes once the drum is drilled and the funnel seated. Legs and bands are the fiddly part — a second pair of hands for standing the drum up is worth more than any tool.
Can I convert my existing feeder with one of these kits?
Usually, yes. The ASF 12V Spin Control Unit is sold explicitly as a replacement for worn units on existing feeders, Moultrie’s Quick-Lock kits twist onto any Quick-Lock hopper, and the Feed Hub kit’s adapter ring converts other brands’ hoppers and steel barrels. Diagnose the old unit first, though — a dead battery or corroded connection mimics a dead motor.
How do I stop raccoons emptying a drum feeder?
Layer it: an enclosed or caged spinner (the SunSlinger kit includes a full varmint cage; ASF sells a $35 Varmint Basket and Boss Buck a $33.99 cage), Shark Teeth strips on the legs so raccoons can’t climb, and feed times set for daylight hours. Our varmint guard roundup compares the options in depth.
Is a cellular feeder kit worth it?
Only where distance makes it pay. The Moultrie Feed Hub kit ($69.99 plus $6.99/month or $49.99/year) reports feed level and clog or battery alerts to your phone — worth it for a lease you visit monthly, hard to justify for a feeder behind the house. It also needs cellular coverage at the site and was out of stock at Moultrie direct in October 2026.
What warranty do feeder kits carry?
From the manufacturers’ own pages: Boss Buck covers motors for 1 year and timers for 2 years (and salt-based feed through a control system voids the parts warranty). ASF covers its digital timer and motors for 1 year. Moultrie’s feeder warranty is 1 year on products like its block feeder. Keep receipts — kit warranties are claimed per component, not per feeder.
What is the cheapest complete drum feeder build?
From verified prices: a Moultrie Pro Hunter II Kit ($58.99) with ASF’s Barrel Band ($55), Bolt-On Stub Legs ($50) and drum funnel ($60) totals about $224 in kit and parts, plus your drum and a 6V battery. The Barrel Buddy at $225 all-in is the same money with far less sourcing — the genuinely cheap route depends on which parts you already own.
Final verdict
Buy the Barrel Buddy if you want the drum gone as a problem — one box, ground-level filling, nothing else to source. Build around the Boss Buck Auto Kit or Pro Hunter II if you want a classic tripod drum feeder at 12V or budget money respectively, feed protein through the Protein Lower Unit, and add the Feed Hub only when the drive to the lease is what you’re really paying to avoid. Whichever kit you choose, budget the whole build from the cost table — drum feeders are cheap because the drum is yours, not because the parts are free. Ready to assemble? The step-by-step is in our DIY drum feeder build guide.
Prices are manufacturer-store snapshots checked October 22, 2026 and will move; the Amazon buttons show live prices. Feeding and baiting rules vary by state and county — check yours before ordering. Last updated: October 22, 2026.
