Are you looking for the best chicken feeders for your coop? No matter how many chickens you have, this article share 7 great suggestions to help you find the perfect chicken feeder as well as some things to consider when you are choosing the chicken feeder that is right for you including the feeder size, where you plan to keep it, the amount of hens that can access the feeder at once, and how well the feeder keeps pests away from the chicken feed.
If you’re looking for other Helpful Posts about keeping Chickens, check out:
- 10 Best Chicken Supplies
- Best Chicken Waterers
- Best Chicken Water Heaters
- Everything you Need to Know about How to Raise Backyard Chickens
Contents
Quick Look at the Best Chicken Feeders
Take a quick look at the 7 best options for a chicken feeder in the table below or scroll down for more information on each feeder.
Chicken Feeder | Best For: | Get It: | |
Durable feeder best for medium to large flocks | |||
Excellent all around feeder for a small flock | |||
Excellent feeder for small flock and chicks | |||
A sturdy chicken food feeder for small to medium flocks | |||
Best for rodent problems | |||
Excellent weatherproof and compact feeder | |||
An customizable option to build your own feeder. |
What to Look for in a Chicken Feeder
When selecting the best chicken feeder, there are many factors to consider. While some things are universal (like you should get a safe chicken feeder), others are specific to your needs (capacity). You will also need to consider whether your flock will grow over the years and exactly where you will put your chicken feeder.
Here is a list of things you should take into account:
- Capacity: Consider the number of chickens you have and their feeding habits. Choose a feeder with an appropriate capacity to accommodate your flock’s needs without frequent refilling. We typically refill our chickens feed every 1-3 days depending on the number of hens we have at one time.
- Design: Look for a feeder that is specifically designed for chickens. It should have a design that prevents wastage and keeps the feed clean, dry, and protected from pests.
- Material: Check the material used in the feeder’s construction. It should be durable, non-toxic, and weather-resistant to withstand outdoor conditions. Ideally your chicken feeder will last for many years.
- Ease of Use: Consider how easy it is to fill the feeder with feed and clean it. Look for features such as large openings or removable parts that facilitate refilling and maintenance.
- Feeding Style: Different feeders offer various feeding mechanisms, such as gravity-based or treadle-style feeders. Choose a style that suits your chickens’ behavior and prevents excessive spillage and waste.
- Pest Resistance: Opt for a feeder that is designed to keep pests, such as rats or wild birds, from accessing the feed. This will help minimize contamination and protect your chickens’ health. A pest proof feeder will help reduce this problem. Our current feeder is often visited by some of the local birds that fly into the coop – we’ve decided this is acceptable for the time being.
- Space Efficiency: Assess the available space in your chicken coop or run. Choose a feeder that fits well within the available area without causing congestion or blocking the birds’ movement. If you have a small coop with just a few hens, this becomes a bigger consideration.
- Cost: Consider your budget when selecting a feeder. While it’s important to prioritize quality, you should also find a feeder that offers good value for money and suits your financial constraints. Chicken feeders should not be expensive.
- Durability: Look for a feeder that is built to last. Check reviews or product specifications to ensure it is sturdy and can withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
- Accessibility: Evaluate how easily the feeder can be accessed by your chickens. It should be at an appropriate height and designed to accommodate the size of your birds, allowing them to access the feed comfortably. This is often less about the feeder itself and more about usage and placement.
- Safety: Ensure that the feeder is safe for your chickens to use. Avoid feeders with sharp edges, small parts that can be ingested, or toxic materials that could harm your birds. This is also important if you are using a chicken feeder with chicks or young chickens as they can get caught in some of the larger holes.
Remember to assess your specific requirements and preferences when choosing a chicken feeder. Taking these factors into consideration will help you select the best feeder that suits both your chickens’ needs and your own convenience.
Types of Feeders for Chickens
There are several different types of chicken feeders available on the market, each with its own unique features and benefits.
- Gravity Feeders: These are the most basic type of chicken feeder and consist of a simple container that holds the feed and dispenses it into a tray or trough as the chickens eat. Gravity feeders are easy to use and require no electricity, but they can be messy and wasteful if not properly designed.
- Treadle Feeders: Treadle feeders use a pedal mechanism that is activated by the weight of the chicken to dispense the feed. This type of feeder is effective at keeping pests and rodents away from the feed, and it also reduces waste by only dispensing food when the chickens need it.
- Automatic Feeders: Automatic feeders use a motor or timer to dispense the feed at predetermined intervals. These feeders are convenient for chicken owners who cannot be present to feed their birds at regular intervals, and they can also help reduce waste by controlling the amount of food that is dispensed.
- Tube Feeders: Tube feeders are designed to hold large quantities of feed and dispense it as needed through small holes or ports. These feeders are ideal for larger flocks or for chicken owners who want to reduce the amount of time they spend refilling the feeder.
- Wall-Mounted Feeders: Wall-mounted feeders are designed to be attached to the wall of the chicken coop or run. They are typically made of durable materials such as metal or plastic and can be either gravity-fed or automatic.
Overall, the best chicken feeders for a particular flock will depend on factors such as flock size, feeding schedule, and your level of convenience or automation .
Best Chicken Feeders
Harris Farms Free Range Hanging Poultry Feeder
This is the best overall chicken feeder for a small flock at a reasonable price. The circular shape allows many chickens to eat at once and the design is easy to clean and maintain.
OverEZ Chicken Feeder
This is a large capacity chicken feeder that allow 3 chickens to feed at the same time. The feeder holds up to 50 pounds of food and is durable. This is a great feeder for medium to large flocks of chickens.
Harris Farms Galvanized Feeder Base Jar
This is a set of 3 small feeder bases that can be used for small flocks in a small coop or chicks. You can screw a mason jar directly into the base for easy cleaning.
Harris Farms Poultry Feeder
This is the feeder we use for our coop and have for years. We also have the Over EZ feeder above and some other smaller ones for raising chicks, but this is our go-to chicken feeder. It is best hung from the coop and is easy to clean and refill and multiple hens can eat from it at the same time.
RentACoop Automatic Chicken 25lb Treadle Feeder
This is an excellent feeder if you have rodent problems. The treadle only works when the chicken steps on it, opening the feed door. This helps reduce food loss and rodent problems in the coop. The feeder can also hold up to 25 pounds of feed.
RentACoop 10lb 2-Port Metal Poultry Feeder
This is a compact feeder that is weatherproof and easy to refill. Chickens put their heads into the holes in the sides of the feeder and 4 chickens can use the feeder at one time. This is a clean and efficient option for your coop.
DIY Chicken Feeder and Waterer Kit
This kit gives you the option to build your own feeder to the needs of your coop. The pieces in this kit can be used on a variety of containers including 5 gallon buckets, galvanized boxes, or large barrels. The kit is easy to use and takes just a few minutes to assemble.
How to Install a Chicken Feeder in your Coop
Installing a chicken feeder in your coop is a relatively straightforward process once you’ve selected the best chicken feeders for your flock. First, choose a suitable location within the coop that is easily accessible to the chickens. Ensure that it is at an appropriate height, allowing the birds to reach the feed comfortably. Next, securely attach the feeder to the coop’s walls or posts using screws, hooks, or brackets, depending on the feeder’s design. Make sure the installation is stable and can withstand the chickens’ pecking and movement. If necessary, adjust the height or position of the feeder to accommodate your flock’s size and feeding habits.
Finally, fill the feeder with the appropriate chicken feed, ensuring it is clean and free from contaminants. Regularly monitor the feeder’s level and refill it as needed to provide a consistent supply of food for your chickens. Most people choose to keep the feeder inside their coop. If you are planning to keep the feeder outside, be aware of pests and weather conditions that might ruin your chicken feed.
Summary of the Best Chicken Feeders
The best chicken feeders offer a combination of convenience, durability, and efficiency to ensure that chickens receive the nutrition they need while minimizing waste and reducing the risk of pests and rodents. Treadle feeders are a popular choice for their ability to keep feed away from pests and rodents, while gravity feeders are simple, affordable, and easy to use. Automatic feeders are ideal for busy chicken owners who want to ensure that their birds are fed on a regular schedule, while tube feeders and wall-mounted feeders are ideal for larger flocks or for those who want to reduce the amount of time spent refilling the feeder. Ultimately, the best chicken feeder for a particular flock will depend on factors such as flock size, feeding schedule, and the level of convenience desired by the chicken owner.
