Chickens are interesting creatures and need the right type of feeder to stay healthy and happy. There are many different types of automatic chicken feeders on the market, so finding the right one for your flock can be challenging. Continue reading to find the best automatic chicken feeding designs along with their pros and cons.
Top Pick of Best Automatic Chicken Feeders
A quick glance at the best automatic feeders for chickens:
Grandpa’s Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder – Sturdy Galvanized Steel Poultry Feeders
Grandpa’s Feeders are made with high-quality galvanized steel, which will last in the toughest outdoor settings. This item protects your chickens so they can eat on demand without access to food when hungry.
Grandpas Automatic Feeder can accommodate twenty pounds of feed for around 4-6 birds in a week. It is a perfect option for you if you routinely travel or work late hours. More chickens can eat on this large feeder.
Even though most chickens will need some training, they should be able to adapt to the feeder very quickly.
pros
- Keeping rats and wild birds away from feed means no more stolen feed.
- A way to keep the birds from messing up the feed they eat
- It removes the need to monitor the feed daily.
- Reducing feed costs by preventing spilled feed
- Refilling every 7-10 days for 4-6 birds is sufficient.
cons
- Training is required
- Feed doesn’t fall on its own in some case
- The noise it makes might scare away chickens
- The corners and edges are sharp
RentACoop Automatic Treadle Feeder
The RentACoop’s treadle feeder is one of the best options on the market. It is a high-quality product that will save you money and keep your chickens healthy. The main reason why this chicken feeder is so great is that it consists of powder-coated steel. It means that it is very durable and will not rust.
The RentACoop chicken feeder is also very easy to set up and use. All you have to do is put the feed in the hopper, and the chickens will be able to eat as much as they want.
Overall, the RentACoop chicken feeder is a great choice for any chicken owner.
pros:
- Made out of powder-coated steel, which is very durable
- Chickens can eat as much as they want due to the large expandable hopper
- Pest-proof design to avoid unwelcomed guests like raccoons, wild birds, mice, rats, and squirrels
- Multi-use with the ability to dispense pellets, crumbles, scratch, and grain
- Weatherproof and ready for whatever mother nature can throw at it
cons:
- Not suitable for young chicks
- Takes training for chickens to get the hang of it
Little Giant Large Steel Poultry Feeder Galvanized High Capacity Poultry Feeder, 25 lbs
Little Giant’s wall-mountable or stand-alone feeder can contain up to 25 pounds of food. It utilizes galvanized metal which makes it resistant to corrosion. With the feed saver grid, chickens can’t develop a habit of kicking feed out of the feeder and soiling their meals.
Adult chickens may use this feeder; however, it is not suitable for baby chicks.
pros
- The rain does not damage the feed
- You can sore a lot of feed in this container
- Stop the chickens from contaminating their food
- There is less food waste
cons
- Not suitable for use with young chickens
Rural365 Chicken Treadle Feeder Pressure Lever Automatic Chicken Feeder System
The Rural365 Galvanized Chicken Feeder can provide a steady supply of chicken. This chicken feeder is made with an automatic closing design to keep food safe from pests and dirt. It has a sloped cover to keep chickens from roosting on top of the chicken feed trough. It’s also lightweight, making it easy for you to move the coop around on your own when needed!
It can hold up to 17.6 pounds (8kg) of feed, is suitable for small flocks (6 to 12 birds) and
Pros
- Rats cannot sneak in or rip through the feed
- Clean and dry feed- reduce waste
- Comes with a lid for easy refilling and cleaning
- Resistant to weather and UV rays.
- Weight-activated design to ensure chickens can feed when they climb onto the threshold
Cons
- Some say grains get stuck
- Not designed for chicks or other small animals
OverEZ Chicken Feeder – Large Gravity Fed Automatic Poultry Dispenser
OverEZ chicken feeders allow three birds to feed simultaneously and hold 50 pounds of feed to minimize maintenance. Refilling is only necessary every 4-6 weeks for 3-5 hens or every 1-2 weeks for 12-15 hens.
This chicken coop feeder can be used as both an indoor and outdoor feed dispenser. It features three smart-feeding ports that are designed to prevent the chickens from soiling or spilling their feed.
Less feed is wasted and the birds have a cleaner coop.
pros
- Wide mouth opening for easy cleaning
- UV-protected and food-safe
- Extra large capacity for feeding
- BPA-free chicken feeder
cons
- Does not come with hooks for wall mounting
KEBONNIXS Automatic Chicken Cup Waterer and Port Feeder Set, 2 Gallon/10 Pounds
This item comes with a feeder and a waterer. No-waste feeding is a feature of the feeder. The feeding port prevents chickens from spilling feed, saving you money from the wasted feed. In addition to being suitable for indoor use, it also has a rain hood. The rain cover keeps the feed dry and clean.
There is a capacity of 2 gallons of water and 10 pounds of feed, so feedings will be much less frequent.
Pros :
- Dual purpose
- Rain cover protects feed from rain
- Cost-effective
- Sturdy and easy to assemble
- Comes with nozzles for winter watering
- No leaking from water cups
- Keeps the water fresh and feed dry
Cons:
- The pellet feeder has a small lip, so chickens can rake the pellets all over the ground and waste it
Rural365 Automatic Chicken Feeder System – 5.5 lb. Capacity Galvanized Feeder Metal Trough
The Rural365 Hanging Metal Chicken Feeder is set up to feed automatically, promoting natural feeding behavior in your chickens.
It comes with a sloped lid that makes it easy to fill quickly and prevents the chickens from roosting on top of the trough while it is empty.
This feeder is suitable for small flocks. A fully-grown chicken needs 1/4 a pound of feed every day, this galvanized chicken feeder holds 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) of seed for up to five adult chickens.
pros
- Comes with a lid
- Easy-to-assemble chicken food dispenser
cons
- Not suitable for chicks
- It may be difficult to feed layer pellets with larger pieces through the hopper
How Does Automatic chicken Feeding Work?
Automatic feeding works by using an electric motor to dispense food. The motor is usually triggered by a sensor, such as a timer, that tells the feeder when to dispense food. The amount of food that is dispensed can be controlled by the user. Unlike a hopper feeder, an automatic feeder does not need to be refilled regularly.
So, if you are far away from home or just too busy to tend to your chickens every day, an automatic chicken feeder is a great option for you. These feeders can provide your chickens with a constant food supply.
Automatic Feeder Features
Please take a look at some features of the best automatic chicken feeding options and see which is best for you.
Adjustable timer
This feature will allow you to set the time the feeder will dispense food. If you plan to go away for vacation but want to make sure your flock is always fed, a feeder with an adjustable timer is extremely convenient.
Automatic shut-off
This feature will prevent the feeder from overfilling and spilling feed everywhere. If you want to keep your chicken coop clean, this is very helpful.
A feeder that offers all these features will ensure that you receive the best value for your investment.
Types of Automatic Chicken Feeders
There are several ways to dispense chicken feed. You can use a gravity feeder, electronic feeder, or treadle feeder.
Gravity Feeder
The first type of feeder is a gravity feeder. Unlike other types of feeders, this type of feeder uses gravity to dispense feed into the bowl.
This is one of the easiest ways to feed your livestock, and it is also one of the most affordable options.
Electronic Feeder
The second type of feeder is an electronic feeder. This type of feeder uses a timer to dispense feed. Electronic poultry feeders are more expensive than gravity feeders but are also more accurate.
Treadle Feeder
The third type of automatic chicken feeder is a treadle feeder. It allows chickens to access food by stepping on a pedal. Treadle feeders are more expensive than gravity and electronic feeders, but they are also more sanitary.
Additionally, you need a chicken waterer. The purpose of a waterer is to disperse water, not feed. Some chicken watering systems, however, have built-in feeding containers. Waterers are very affordable, and they are easy to use. You can also make homemade feeders and waterers.
Pros and Cons Of Automatic Chicken Feeders
Here are some of the pros and cons of using these automatic chicken feeding containers:
Pros:
- You can set it and forget it- the chickens will always have food available to them
- There is less chance of food getting wet or contaminated
- You can control how much feed the chickens eat
- Automatic poultry feeders can help to prevent arguments between chickens over the feed
Cons:
- Automatic poultry feeders can be expensive
- If the power goes out, the chickens will not have any food
- The chickens may not get enough exercise if they don’t have to forage for food
- Some automatic poultry feeders are difficult to clean
Criteria: What Makes the Best Automatic Chicken Feeders?
There are a few factors you should consider when selecting the most reliable automatic chicken feeders.
Size of Your Flock – How many chickens can feed from the feeder?
The size of your flock will determine the type of automatic feeder you need to purchase. Ensure that the feeder works and is big enough. A simple hopper feeder will be sufficient if you have a small flock. However, if you have a large flock, you will need to purchase a large feeder that can accommodate your chickens.
Made from Durable Materials
Chickens can be very rough on their equipment, and you don’t want to replace the feeder every few months. Unlike humans, birds don’t have teeth so they will peck at the feeder with their beaks. This action can cause the feeder to break if it does not consist of materials made from durable materials.
Predators can also damage a low-quality feeder easily.
Ease of cleaning
Choose a feeder that is easy to clean. Chickens are very messy eaters, and their feed can get everywhere. If the feeder is not easy to clean, it will become a breeding ground for bacteria, and your chickens could get sick.
Feeders that reduce waste and make feed dry and clean are also an option.
Feed Type
Another thing is to consider the food you want to feed your chickens. Some feeding containers are designed for pellets, while others work best for scratch.
If you are unsure what feed you want to feed your chickens, you can always ask a veterinarian or a chicken expert for advice.
Types of Poultry Feeders
There are two main types of poultry feeders- a hopper feeder and an automatic feeder. Hopper feeders are the most common automatic chicken feeding containers and can cater to both small and large flocks. These automatic poultry feeders are more expensive, but they can help prevent arguments between chickens over food.
Feeding System and Accessibility
The type of feeding system you choose will determine how easy it is for your chickens to access food. Some automatic chicken feeding pots have a gravity-fed system, while others require the use of an electric motor. If you have a large flock, you will need to purchase a chicken feeder that can accommodate your chickens.
Refill Frequency and Maintenance
You will need to refill your automatic chicken feeder regularly, depending on the size of your flock. Most hopper feeders need to refill every few days. In contrast, automatic feeders can last for up to a week without refilling. You will also need to clean your chicken feeder regularly to prevent food contamination.
Feeding Capacity and Controls
When choosing an automatic chicken feeder, you need to consider the capacity of the feeder and the type of food it can dispense. Most hopper feeders can hold up to 20 pounds of food, while automatic feeders can hold up to 50 pounds of food.
Price
Automatic feeders can range in price from around $30 to $200, depending on the type size, quality, design, and functionality. Overall, feeders that are automatic are way more expensive.
Alternatively, you can learn and watch how to make a DIY automatic chicken feeding device and save money on Youtube.
FAQs
How Often Should You Refill An Automatic Chicken Feeder?
You will need to refill your automatic feeder regularly, depending on the size of your flock. Most hopper feeders need to refill every few days. In contrast, an automatic feeder can last for up to a week without refilling.
Why Should You Buy An Automatic chicken feeder?
There are many reasons why you should buy an automatic chicken feeder. The most important reason is that it will provide your chickens with a constant food supply. These feeders can also help to prevent arguments between chickens over food.
How do I train chickens to use automatic chicken feeders?
If you are using a hopper feeder, you will need to train your chickens to use the feeder. You can do this by placing food in the feeder and then showing your chickens how to access the food.
If you are using an automatic feeder, you will not need to train your chickens to use the feeder. This is because the feeder will dispense food automatically.
Best Automatic Chicken feeding options Conclusion
There you have it- the best automatic chicken feeders on the market. These feeders are sure to make your life easier and provide your chickens with a constant food supply.
Which automatic chicken feeder will you choose? If you are unsure, you can always read reviews from other chicken owners to get their opinion.
You can also go for a DIY chicken feeder if you are looking for an affordable option.
Don’t also forget to check out our buying guide to help you make the best decision for your flock.