10 best chicken feeders
Chicken feeders are essential components in poultry farming and backyard chicken keeping. They serve the purpose of providing chickens with easy access to their food while keeping it protected from contaminants and environmental factors. Here are some key points about chicken feeders:
Types of Chicken Feeders:
- Gravity Feeders: These are the most common type of chicken feeders. They consist of a container or hopper that holds the feed and dispenses it as chickens eat.Gravity feeders come in various sizes to accommodate different flock sizes.
- Trough Feeders: Trough feeders are long, open containers that are ideal for larger flocks. They can be placed on the ground or elevated.
- Hanging Feeders: Hanging feeders are suspended from a hook or other support, keeping the feed off the ground and preventing contamination.
- Automatic Feeders: These feeders are designed to release a set amount of feed at scheduled intervals. They are convenient for busy chicken keepers and help reduce waste.
Materials:
- Chicken feeders are typically made from plastic, metal, or wood. The choice of material depends on factors such as durability, ease of cleaning, and budget.
Size and Capacity:
- The size of the feeder and its capacity should be chosen based on the number of chickens you have. Larger flocks will require larger feeders to ensure an adequate food supply.
Pest and Weather Resistance:
- Many chicken feeders come with features to protect the feed from pests like rodents and wild birds. Weather-resistant designs help keep the feed dry and free from mold.
Placement:
- Chicken feeders should be placed at a comfortable height for the chickens to access easily. Ensure that they are positioned in a sheltered area to protect the feed from rain and direct sunlight.
Maintenance:
- Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the buildup of mold, bacteria, and contaminants in the feeder. Choose feeders that are easy to disassemble and clean.
Cost:
- The cost of chicken feeders can vary widely depending on their size, materials, and features. Consider your budget when selecting a feeder.
DIY Options:
- Some chicken keepers prefer to make their own chicken feeders using recycled materials or DIY plans found online. This can be a cost-effective option.
Overall, chicken feeders are important tools for keeping your poultry well-fed and healthy. Choosing the right type and maintaining them properly is crucial for the well-being of your backyard flock.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best chicken feeders on the market
Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder
Harris Farms
Product description
Open-top 10 lb. capacity feeder is made from long-life plastic and designed for fast filling, easy cleaning and minimal waste of feed thanks to the no-scratch-out twist lock base. Feeds 10-25 birds.
- Harris Farms Plastic Hanging Poultry Feeder, 10 Pound
- Made of Durable Plastic
- Open-Top for Fast Filling and Easy Cleaning
- No-Scratch Twist Lock Base Minimizes Feed Waste
- Feeds 10-25 Birds
User questions & answers
| Question: | Can the tray be purchased separately |
| Answer: | No sorry it can not be |
| Question: | Is this good for turkeys? I don’t see any mention of them |
| Answer: | Yes, this can be used for turkeys. Turkeys peck at food just the same as chickens. And this helps to reduce the amount of feed being wasted! |
| Question: | Is this the feeder with the cone shape on the inside? There’s no info on this in the product description |
| Answer: | It does not have a cone on the inside. The outside surface is all there is to it, and it is held on by twisting it, and tabs that go under "brackets" on the base, water tray. |
| Question: | Could I use this for a duck feeder |
| Answer: | I would think so. There’s enough room to get the beaks into. |
Chicken Feeder Rainproof Outdoor Metallic 20 Liter Capacity (25 LBS)
Product description
25 Pounds Capacity - Chicken Feeder Rainproof Outdoor Metallic
- 🐓 Holds 25 pounds of feed - Works great with pellets, crumbles, grain or scratch.
- 🐓 Can be screwed into wall or placed on a stand
- 🐓 Waterproof design keeps feed dry
- 🐓 Design keeps hens from spilling feed onto ground - Saves Money
- 🐓 BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE! Here to answer any questions you may have.
User questions & answers
| Question: | Would this be goat proof |
| Answer: | A goat could probably work the lid off if it wanted to |
| Question: | can animals get into the feed |
| Answer: | I am currently using five of the medium feeders. I have seen both small sparrows and squirrels feeding from them. However, they are worth it to me as it keeps the feed nice and dry in a rain storm. |
| Question: | How high off the ground should i mount it? i have 3 rhode islands, and a couple of cochin bantams |
| Answer: | I have both types of chickens and I believe my feeder is about 3 inches off the ground. I love this feeder as there is no waste a there is with other feeders. |
| Question: | Could an adult goose eat from this or would it be difficult to reach the food |
| Answer: | We have a large adult duck that is able to eat from eat with ease |
Harris Farms 1000293 Galvanized Hanging Poultry Feeder, 15 lbs, Metal
Harris Farms
Product description
The Free Range heavy-duty galvanized feeders feature rolled edges for safety and a convenient hanger/carry-handle. Design makes for easy 3-position height adjustment and is suitable for game birds, chickens and young chicks. 15 lb. capacity feeds 15-30 birds.
- Harris Farms Galvanized Hanging Poultry Feeder, 15 lbs
- Heavy-duty galvanized steel construction
- Rolled edges for safety and a convenient hanger/carry handle
- Spring loaded clips for easy set-up and adjustment
- Designed to minimize waste
User questions & answers
| Question: | Is this made in USA |
| Answer: | Yes...all of their products are made in the USA... |
| Question: | Is there a smaller one |
| Answer: | Probably |
| Question: | Has anyone found a lid that fits? There is one that Amazon lists as frequently sold with this item but i purchased it and it does not fit |
| Answer: | I use mine without a lid |
| Question: | I just got it.Now I need a lid.I was thinking maybe get some tin and make one up.Anyone find one |
| Answer: | I never did find a lid, but I did find a kitchen plate that fit in just right and the weight of it helped keep the food moving down. However, I always had to give it a shake to keep the food moving into the tray since it likes to just form a mountain in there. After a few months of using this feeder I opted to just make a feeder myself from all the diy pvc feeder ideas online and we like it a ton better. Theres a lot less wasted feed flung all over the ground by nitpicking chickens. |
RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer - Horizontal Nipple Setup (4 Nipple Corner)
Product description
Comes with some of the best instructions you've ever seen! The waterer of the future has arrived.
- 🐓 100% Food Grade and BPA Free Plastic
- 🐓 New Horizontal Nipples prevent ground/bedding from getting wet. Rest your bucket on the ground when filling with water!
- 🐓 2 Gallons lasts 4 hens more than 5 days!
- 🐓 Easy to fill - Removable cap on lid. No need to hang!
User questions & answers
| Question: | I am having trouble getting the chickens to drink from this after having used different systems previously. Any suggestions |
| Answer: | I hung the feeder with the drinking ports about head height for my chickens and put a bowl of water on the ground below it. The chickens switched to the new system in about 48 hours. I'm wondering if you could put a little yogurt on each drinking nipple for incentive. My chickens LOVE yogurt!!! Good luck. I still think this system is the best thing ever for easy and low maintenance care. |
| Question: | The handle on my bucket isn't tall enough to hang thr waterer with the no roost cone. Can I get a replacement |
| Answer: | I took that part off and my chickens never rooster onit. I could fill it or add water without taking to hold thing down, which I did to clean it which was less often than just adding water from the top thru the hole in the red top. I found it practically impossible to remove the red top. I used everything like pliers but it was still too tight. I should've sent it back for that reason. |
| Question: | Seller, would you please give more detailed instruction on how to use the Farm Innovators C-50 heater model with the nipple waterer, thanks a lot |
| Answer: | Hello, The RentACoop Horizontal Nipple Waterers can be used during freezing temperatures with the C-50 Farm Innovators De-Icer. Instructions: remove the lid, Insert the De-Icer all the way to the bottom of the waterer, add the water and connect the De-Icer to power. The cord can be inserted trough the white caplug hole from the lid. The horizontal nipples will work perfectly even at 0F. The RentACoop Team |
| Question: | Can small chicks, 1-4 weeks old, operate the mechanism to get water |
| Answer: | We have had great luck with chicks 7-10 days old. So yes, 1-4 week old chicks should be able to figure it out just fine. Earlier than 7 days are not strong enough or aware enough to use this nipple. The RentACoop Team |
Chicken Feeder-Holds 20 Pounds-Pellets-Crumbles-Grain in Bucket - for 21st Century Chicken Owners - Inside or Outside of Coop - Use with Nipple Waterer
Product description
This 20lb feeder with 2 feeding ports is sufficient for up to 6 hens. We recommend one feeder for every 6 hens so they do not have to wait in line.
- 🐓 For chickens 12 weeks and older. (Younger/smaller chickens can crawl in the port) No-Roost Cap included! Place feeder anywhere in your yard/run and the feed stays dry. No need to put it under cover.
- 🐓 No more squirrels, wild birds, mice or rats getting into your coop looking for feed on the ground 99% of feed stays in the feeder - Even with your most wasteful hen!
- 🐓 100% Food Grade and BPA Free Plastic - Comes fully assembled - Simply fill with feed and it's ready for your hens. Holds 20 pounds of feed! Refill once every 30 days for 2 hens, 14 days for 4 hens and once every week for 8 hens
- 🐓 Handy? Try out our new "Make your own feeder kit" sold here on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D1BMN4D
- 🐓 Check out our new "25LB Outdoor Rainproof Metal Feeder" sold here on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CGTVVZD?ref=myi_title_dp
User questions & answers
| Question: | Will this product work for ducks too |
| Answer: | I have only used it for our hens, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work for ducks,too! It's a great product and worth a try ! Hope this helps. |
| Question: | What age can the chickens start using this? I have cuckoo marans. Thanks |
| Answer: | I have ameraucanas and they started using this around 3 months, I started with setting it on the ground so they could reach inside of the feeder. As they grew I later hung the feeder to fit their size. The bigger they got the higher I would raise the feeder. Just watch them eat from it and adjust it to suit their size. |
| Question: | What are the overall dimensions of the feeder (height, width |
| Answer: | Dimensions are below under features and details. 13.5 x 9.6 x 9 inchesI have the double hole feeder and like it for multiple chickens so they can feed at one time without bullying one another. It is 10 X 14 X 10. |
| Question: | Does this help prevent messes? Our chickens knock out 10 pellets for every one pellet they eat with our current feeder |
| Answer: | Totally. There is NO mess - no spillage and always plenty of fresh food. I check the contents weekly by removing the covers- to see if still fresh and free of moisture. Always fine. I lift the containers almost daily and can tell which container is their favorite ( weighs less than the others)- then switch them around so they eat from one more full than another; never any pellets on the ground and they are eating - healthy and strong... Also - money saver. I have 4 feeders - so that's about 70 - 80 pounds when all are full. I can go more than a month before I have to buy any more feed. Right now I have about 30 lbs. sealed up from the 100 lbs I bought in late Sept. - I will buy another 50 lbs some time in Nov. that will take care of all the feeders until well into Dec when I will again buy 100 lbs that will take me well into January (11 chickens) . Right now, one feeder is empty and stored away until I'm ready to fill all of them. I love the system - I feel good about what they are eating and we "all" have control...Best thing I've bought for my chickie bickies in the 6 years I've been living with chickens. |
Chicken Feeder Rainproof Outdoor Metallic - (50 Pounds)
Product description
50 LB Chicken Feeder Rainproof Outdoor Metallic
- 🐓 Holds 50 pounds of feed - Works great with pellets, crumbles, grain or scratch.
- 🐓 Can be screwed into wall or placed on a stand
- 🐓 Waterproof design keeps feed dry
- 🐓 Design keeps hens from spilling feed onto ground - Saves Money
- 🐓 BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE! Here to answer any questions you may have.
User questions & answers
| Question: | How many chickens will this feed? I have 10 chickens, should I have more than one |
| Answer: | This feeder fits enough food to feed 10 chickens, but only 2 or 3 can eat at a time. We have 5 hens and it works for them, even though they don’t like to share. |
| Question: | My chickens have to lower their heads to eat . feeder is mounted 5" above ground. is this ok or should i raise feeder |
| Answer: | We recommend that the feeder be mounted so the food is at the chickens' shoulder height. Please reach out to us directly if you need any help with installation! |
| Question: | Can this be used as a free standing feeder? (Without mounting or a special stand |
| Answer: | This product can be free standing but we recommend it is raised off the ground so that it is at shoulder height of the chickens which will allow them to easily feed. If you would like to have a stand alone feeder we would recommend our DIY Port Feeder kit. This will allow you to customize the feeder to meet your needs. |
| Question: | Will my 2 ducks beable to eat from the feeder |
| Answer: | I’ve never owned ducks, but they eat just like chickens eat. I don’t see why not. You may have to mount it a little higher off the ground. |
RentACoop PVC Twin Cup Chicken Waterer and Feeder Set - 10lbs/2 Gal
Product description
RentACoop Twin Cup Waterer and Feeder (Twin Cup Waterer and Feeder Set - 10lbs/2 Gal) Note that this waterer is made of thick plastic which does not allow light to enter the waterer. This means that no algae will build up which is very important for the health of your flock. You are not able to see the water level from outside of the contianer but any contianer that allows you to see the water level will allow algae growth and we believe this is a worth sacrifice for the health of your flock and the saving of your time as you will not need to scrub it out every week.
- 🐓 Package includes 10lb Feeder and 2 Gallon Waterer both of which can be installed inside or outside of your coop on wood or wire. Dimensions of both units are 17 x 5.5 x 5.5 Inches
- 🐓 The 10lb feeder prevents feed spill and is 100% waterproof. Deters rodents and wild birds from stealing and contaminating your chicken's feed. Save money on feed costs over time
- 🐓 The 2 Gallon Waterer comes with 2 auto-fill cups for summer use and 2 horizontal freeze-proof nipples for winter use. The thick PVC base naturally keeps out and virtually eliminates algae and slime from your bird's water, keeping the water clean.
- 🐓Both the feeder and waterer come with 2 screws for installing on wood and 2 custom metal hooks for hanging on any type of wire (even 1/2" hardware cloth)
- 🐓 For Poultry 12 weeks and older. Check out the video for more information
User questions & answers
| Question: | Can chicks eat out of this |
| Answer: | Fill sized chickens 12 weeks or older can use the feeder. Full-grown bantam chickens. The reason for the age limit is that young chicks can crawl in the port and get stuck and are not able to back out. The RentACoop Team |
| Question: | How do you clean the feeders, espcially the waterer if it is screwed to the wall |
| Answer: | The most important part to clean is the cups, but just a simple hose down will work for the containers themselves! We do advise you to unscrew the feeders every once in a while to do a full cleaning on all parts, but rinsing and wiping out the red cups a bit more frequently is great. We also suggest mixing in a little bit of apple cider vinegar into the waterer, as the chickens won't taste it and it will help tremendously to keep everything clean! We hope this helps, but feel free to message us with any questions! We do have a cleaning guide as well we'd be happy to send over. -The RentACoop Team |
| Question: | Can this be made to be goat proof |
| Answer: | The feeder is goat proof. They can't get to the feed. If you use the nipples with the waterer, it will also be goat proof. The RentACoop Team |
| Question: | Can I use this for quails |
| Answer: | Absolutely! |
Treadle Feeder (25 LB)
Product description
RentACoop Treadle Feeder (25 LB) - As with all metallic treadle feeders, keep in a shaded area on hot sunny days.
- 🐓 Holds 25 Pounds of Feed - Only your hens will each the fresh, dry feed. This feeder is 100% rain-proof and pest proof
- 🐓 No more problems with raccoons, wild birds, squirrels, mice, rats or any other pests getting at your hens' feed
- 🐓 Adjustable from 1.5 pounds of pressure (for bantams) and 3 pounds of pressure (for full-grown full-sized hens) by removing a weight under the lid
- 🐓 Metallic grill prevents poultry from spilling feed
- 🐓 3 step training process so hens learn to get used to their new feeder quickly.
User questions & answers
| Question: | What size flock is appropriate for each feeder size |
| Answer: | 12-15 birds per feeder |
| Question: | Were are these feeder made |
| Answer: | Pretty sure USA if I remember correctly. Google it to make sure |
| Question: | Where can I purchase extensions to increase feed capacity |
| Answer: | I’ve seen them on Amazon when purchasing feeder. |
| Question: | Is it truly squirrel proof |
| Answer: | I have no problem with squirrels. Yay. |
RentACoop Chick Feeder Waterer Kit (1.5 L Waterer 1L Feeder Kit)
Product description
RentACoop Chick Feeder Waterer Kit (1.5 L Waterer 1L Feeder Kit)
User questions & answers
| Question: | Hi would this be good for baby ducks |
| Answer: | The waterer would be! But i think the baby ducks would need something more like a bowl for food, instead of the feeder with holes in it, it wouldn’t hurt to try it though! It may work for them! |
| Question: | Is this bpa free |
| Answer: | Yes! |
| Question: | would one be sufficient for 19 chicks |
| Answer: | It's a little small for that many, I believe it recommends up to 12. I have 11 chicks and it's about right. |
| Question: | What is the best system to keep ducklings from contaminating (pooping in) their water? I have 6 Pekin ducklings |
| Answer: | Put the waterer on a stand and move the water on the other side of the cage as the feed so they don't get the feed wet from bill drip. Thanks for the great question! The RentACoop Team |
Harris Farms 6 Galvanized Hanging Feeder, 30 lb
Harris Farms
Product description
Features rolled edges for safety. Convenient hanger/carry handle. Design makes for easy 3 position height adjustment.
- Features rolled edges for safety
- Convenient hanger/carry handle
- Design makes for easy 3 position height adjustment
- Ideal for larger birds such a pheasants or chicken
- 30 pound capacity feeds 30-50 birds
User questions & answers
| Question: | where can i find lid for 30lb feeder |
| Answer: | I ended up robbing my pots and pan lids :) I found one that fit perfectly. Good luck! |
| Question: | I didn’t receive the thin metal hanging piece with my hanging feeder, how do I get that |
| Answer: | Call Amazon tell them part of feeder is missing |
| Question: | Is this heat resistant? Im looking for a feeder to hold up in the Arizona heat |
| Answer: | It doesn't seem to get hot to me but we don't have the kind of heat you probably do. |
| Question: | Does it have to hang or can it be set on the ground |
| Answer: | Either. I have 2 of them hanging but you could just set it on the ground. Great product. Easy to fill, easy to clean. Large size so I don't have to refill daily. |
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