The Best Chicken Feeders (Rat-Proof and No-Waste)
Open feeders waste feed and feed rats. These four designs fix one or both problems, and the right one depends on your flock size and your rodent pressure.
Top Picks (At a Glance)
Quick links to the products we recommend in this guide. Prices shown on Amazon at click-through.
Grandpa's Feeders Treadle, 20 lb
Treadle; 20 lb capacity, per the listing. Details below.
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RentACoop Treadle, 40 lb
Treadle; 40 lb capacity, per the listing. Details below.
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OverEZ Feeder, 50 lb
Gravity, covered trough; 50 lb capacity, per the listing. Details below.
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ZINZINULER Port Feeder + Waterer Set
Port (DIY bucket) feeder + cups, per the listing. Details below.
Check Price on Amazon →The three feeder designs that matter
| Design | How it works | Stops waste | Stops rodents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treadle | A hen steps on a plate that lifts the lid | Yes | Partly: light rodents usually cannot trip the plate; heavy rats and squirrels sometimes can |
| Covered gravity / trough | Feed drops into a covered trough | Yes | No, unless removed at night |
| Port feeder | Hens eat through side holes in a bucket or bin | Yes | Partly; depends on fit and placement |
Rodent control starts with the feeder. Utah State Extension recommends removing feeders and waterers each night and cleaning up spilled feed, and Mississippi State adds keeping a 3-foot clear zone around poultry housing. A treadle feeder does the night-time job for you. Our rat guide covers the rest.
The best chicken feeders
Best rat-proof
Grandpa's Feeders Automatic Treadle Feeder, 20 lb
Grandpa's Feeders makes a treadle feeder: a bin with a step plate that lifts the lid when a hen stands on it. The listing calls it no-waste. Most flocks need a few days of training (prop the lid open at first).
Why it made the list
- Lid closes when no hen is on the plate
- 20 lb lasts a small flock a week or more
What to watch
- Bantams and young birds may be too light for the plate
- Training period
Best large treadle
RentACoop Automatic Treadle Feeder, 40 lb
RentACoop's treadle holds twice as much as the 20-pound feeders, so it suits bigger flocks or anyone who wants to fill less often. The listing calls it rat proof and no waste.
Why it made the list
- 40 lb capacity
- Same rodent protection as other treadles
What to watch
- Bulky
- Training period
Best big covered feeder
OverEZ Chicken Feeder, 50 lb
OverEZ's feeder holds a full 50-pound bag, so you fill it once per bag. The covered trough cuts the flicking and scattering that wastes feed. It does not close, so take it in or close up the coop at night if rodents are a problem.
Why it made the list
- Holds a full 50 lb bag
- Covered trough cuts waste
What to watch
- Does not lock out rodents
Best budget DIY
ZINZINULER Automatic Port Feeder and Cup Waterer Set
Port kits turn a food-safe bucket with a lid into a feeder, and the matching cups turn a second bucket into a waterer. It is a simple way to get a covered, low-waste setup, and the lid keeps droppings out.
Why it made the list
- Very low cost
- Covered feed and clean water
What to watch
- You supply and drill the buckets
- Rodents can still reach the ports
How much feeder capacity you need
NC State Extension puts a laying hen's intake at about a third of a pound of feed a day. That means:
| Flock | Feed per day | Days a 20 lb feeder lasts | Days a 50 lb feeder lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 hens | about 1.3 lb | about 15 | about 37 |
| 8 hens | about 2.7 lb | about 7 | about 19 |
| 12 hens | about 4 lb | about 5 | about 12 |
Our calculation from NC State's figure of about 1/3 lb per hen per day. Actual intake varies with breed, season and laying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do treadle feeders really keep rats out?
They help, because mice and smaller rats usually cannot push the plate down, though heavy rats and squirrels sometimes can. They are not a complete fix: clean up spills, store feed in metal cans and remove other food sources too.
How high should a chicken feeder be?
Set the trough at about the height of the hens' backs. That cuts the flicking and scratching that wastes feed.
Should I leave feed out at night?
Utah State Extension recommends removing feeders and waterers at night to discourage rodents, unless your feeder closes like a treadle.
Sources
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