Automatic chicken feeder is the ideal solution to keep your flock well-fed and happy. Chicken feeders automatically provide feed on demand for hungry chicks. Rather than having to scatter grain to feed chickens every day, the automatic chicken feeder provides food whenever your hens need feeding.
The most significant benefit of using the best chicken feeders is to prevent animals from stealing feed. What’s more, because they protect food from the weather, you minimize food waste and, therefore, save money.
Finding the right feeder for your hens can be challenging, as they have various features, and you need the right type for feeding your poultry. Also, if you have many chickens, you need to ensure that it can hold enough feed. If you’re new to keeping chickens, you may not know what to look for.
This review examines the best automatic chicken feeders available. We have compared the features of these chicken feeders. For each product, you’ll find out the pros and cons. In the end, we hope that we can help you make an informed decision of which chicken feeder will be best for you and your chickens.
The Top 6 Automatic Chicken Feeders
1. Grandpa’s Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder
Grandpa’s automatic chicken feeder is a top-selling product and currently the most popular one on the market. This feeder is made from galvanized steel and is 100% weatherproof. The feeder’s cover automatically opens when chickens stand on the treadle to reveal the trough. This automatic feeder for chickens holds enough food for six chickens up to ten days.
Outstanding quality is one of the best features of this feeder. There are no plastic components to worry about, and other animals can get to the feed. It’s also straightforward to teach chickens how to use it.
Pros:
- Chickens have all-day access to food
- Rats and vermin can’t access the feeding trough
- Eliminate feed spillage
- Durable and waterproof
- Top-selling product
Cons:
- High price tag
2. RentACoop Automatic Treadle Feeder
This all-metal automatic chicken feeder allows your chickens to access feed but keep other birds and animals away. The feeder works on a treadle system where the hens stand on it to open the lid. The waterproof cover fits tightly to prevent feed spoilage. The trough has a metal grill that also prevents hens from wasting feed. The adjustable plate can accommodate various sizes of birds to protect your feed.
One feature of this automatic treadle chicken feeder is that you can expand its size. Feeder extensions allow you to increase its capacity up to 70 lbs. (31 kg). Also, blinders on the unit force hens to stand on the plate rather than feeding from the side.
Pros:
- The step-on plate is adjustable for large or small hens
- Minimize feed waste and spoilage
- Optional rain covers to protect feeding birds outside
- Feed capacity from 25 to 70 lbs. (11 – 31 kg)
- Keep out rodents, birds, and other unwanted animals
Cons:
- Can be tricky to train chickens to use it
3. Little Giant Poultry Feeder
The Little Giant chicken feeder holds up to 25 lbs. (11 kg) of feed, which can feed a small flock of poultry birds for a week. The “automatic” function of this chicken feeder is to prevent too much of layers pellets, crumble, or mash feed from being available at once. The metal grid on the feeding trough prevents chickens from spilling or sweeping out feed.
The tough, galvanized steel construction is weatherproof and helps to protect feed. However, the feeding trough doesn’t have protection from rodents or other animals.
Pros:
- Large feed capacity
- Suitable for various types of chicken feed
- Wall-mounted or freestanding
- Protects feed from rain
- Reduces feed waste
Cons:
- Not suitable for chicks
- Doesn’t keep unwanted animals out
4. PawHut Automatic Chicken and Poultry Feeder
The PawHunt chicken feeder automatically fills the feeding trough as the hens peck at the feed. Thanks to the weatherproof and animal-proof lid, this poultry feeder helps protect feed from opportunistic rodents and birds. The galvanized steel construction is ideal for outdoors to keep feed safe. The partially covered feeding trough also stops hens from sweeping feed out the trough, reducing feed waste even more.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Hold up to 25 lbs. (11 kg) of chicken feed
- Prevent feed from spoilage and waste
- Easy to fill and no assembly required
Cons:
- The feeding trough isn’t protected from the weather or unwanted animals
5. SuperHandy Chicken Feeder Automatic
The SuperHandy automatic chicken feeder has a treadle system only to allow chickens access to feed. The stand-on plate won’t open for small birds, rodents, or other animals that may steel feed. The spill-proof trough also helps protect feed from unnecessary waste. The 20 lbs. (9 kg) capacity is enough to feed up to six chickens for ten days.
Using a chicken feeder such as this automatic one from SuperHandy saves you time and money. Fill once every one or two weeks to keep your fowl happy and well-fed.
Pros:
- Tread-plate to allow chickens access to food
- Weatherproof, galvanized steel design for preventing food waste and rusting
- Can be used for other types of poultry birds
- Anti-flick grill to stop chickens wasting feed
Cons:
- Not suitable for young chicks
6. Yescom 12L Automatic Chicken Feeder
Say goodbye to feed waste by using the Yescom automatic chicken feeder. This handy portable feeder allows chickens access to food whenever they want. Standing on the tread-plate opens the covered trough for easy access. The galvanized steel design prevents rusting, and the heavy-duty, lockable lid protects the feed box from unwanted vermin.
As with all the best automatic chicken feeders, the trough has a wire mesh to reduce feed waste to a minimum. Also, the anti-slip platform and side plates protect hens from injury.
Pros:
- Anti-slip tread-plate
- Suitable for chickens 1.8 lbs. (0.8 kg) and heavier
- Save on feed costs
- Handle for easy lifting and carrying
- Easy to assemble and maintain
Cons:
- May be too small for larger flocks
All You Need to Know About Chicken Feeders
Automatic chicken feeders are the ideal solution to minimize food waste. The best chicken feeders protect feed from rain, wind, snow, rodents, and wild birds. Some of the most useful automatic feeders have a treadle which opens the trough when a chicken stands on it. Even though chickens must learn to use the automatic feeder, they will do so in no time at all.
When looking to buy the best chicken feeder for your flock, there are a few things to be aware of. Here are some handy tips for buying an automatic chicken feeder:
- Treadle—Look for galvanized steel chicken feeders that have a non-slip tread-plate. These types of feeders are the best way to protect small animals and wild birds from stealing feed.
- Weatherproof design—Automatic chicken feeders should keep out rain, snow, and humidity. Keeping feed as dry as possible is the best way to prevent waste.
- Capacity—Ensure that the chicken feeder holds enough pellets, crumble, or mash feed for your flock. Automatic feeders mean you only must fill the unit once a week. This is ideal if you go on vacation.
- Type of automatic chicken feeder—The term “automatic” feeder can include various kinds of design. Some high-quality feeders have a treadle. However, others use gravity to keep the feed trough full, and some automatic feeders hang and drop feed when the chickens peck at the tray.
Automatic Chicken Feeders — In Conclusion
The best automatic chicken feeders are a wise investment for anyone who looks after chickens. For a start, the automatic feeder saves you time as you don’t have to scatter feed every day for your hens. Your hens always have enough feed when they need it. Also, protecting feed from rodents, the elements, or waste can save you money in the long run. Very soon, you’ll find that the automatic chicken feeder pays for itself in terms of saving feed.
From our review, our top recommendation is Grandpa’s Automatic Chicken Feeder. This company has earned an excellent reputation for high-quality chicken feeders. Although the feeder is relatively expensive, the quality of materials and design is second to none.
