Let’s get straight into our best automatic chicken feeders without further ado. This list compiles some of the best products on the market. All are available on Amazon at a range of price points. These automatic chicken feeders are all simple in their design and construction; they are gravity feeders and will ensure your birds are always fed and healthy.
COMPARISON CHART
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KEBONNIXS Automatic Chicken Cup Waterer and Port Feeder Set
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Treadle Feeder
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Royal Rooster Chicken Poultry Feeder with Rain Cover
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Chicken Feeder Hold 20 Pounds Pellets Crumbles Grain in Bucket
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Little Giant Hanging Poultry Waterer Galvanised Round Hanging Poultry Waterer
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RoamWild Rat Proof Chicken Feeder Kit
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Grandpa’s Feeder Automatic Chicken Feeder
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Features
- Feeder with 10 lb capacity
- Feeders are gravity operated so automatically refill
- Rain hoods on the feed ports
- 2x feeding ports
- Waterer with a 2 gallon capacity
- Waterer automatically refills so water is always available
- Detachable inner cups on the waterer for easy cleaning
- Easy to install on wood or on a wire fence
Next up on the list, we have a really great product, the Automatic Chicken Cup Waterer and Port Feeder Set from KEBONNIXS. This is a fantastic deal as you get a set of two products, both to water and feed your birds. They are reliable and well made, out of robust plastic with a good aesthetic.
WHAT WE LIKE
We really like that the set comes as a pair of stylish products, so you get a complete system for your bird’s well-being. The waterer and feeder both automatically refill and look really nice, so they will make a great addition to your setup and leave you hassle-free as all you have to do is refill the containers every now and again rather than daily.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
Unfortunately, the port feeder set has nothing at all in the way of pest control; access to the feed is attained by the birds sticking their heads in the port to reach down and eat feed. This open hole may deter mice as it can be up off the floor, but rats, squirrels, and raccoons should be able to access the feed just as easily as chickens. So if this set is for you, make sure you have other defenses against rodents and pests, as this is not the front line.
PROS
- Waterer and feeder as a set
- Easy refills and automatic gravity dispensing so they birds always have access to food and water
- Strong build quality with easy install on any kind of coop set up
- Weatherproof to protect the feed
CONS
- No pest deterrents or rodent control so feed may be vulnerable to theft
- 10 lb capacity for feed is smaller than others on the list
Features
- Holds up to 40 lb of feed
- Rain proof
- Pest proof
- Deters rats, racoons, squirrels, mice, and any other pests that might want to steal your feed.
- Adjustable treadle release for different types of birds
- 1.5 lb for bantams,3 lb for full grown
- Metallic grill to stop the feed being spilled
- 3 step training programme for birds to get used to the new feeder
First up is the Treadle Feeder from RentACoop. With its industrial feel, this feeder will hold up to 40 lbs of feed and keep your birds happy and healthy between refills. When the chickens stand on the treadle at the bottom, their weight releases the feed and ensures only your livestock can get at it.
WHAT WE LIKE
We really like how secure the Treadle Feeder is and how good it is at ensuring only the birds get the feed. To access any feed, the birds must step on the plate to release a portion; this means any pests won’t be heavy enough, and so the feed is out of reach to them.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
What we don’t like about the Treadle Feeder is that the rain cover is a simple flap above the grill; this leaves the feed exposed to side winds when the rain is blowing in, so feed could potentially be spoiled.
PROS
- Large capacity of 40 lbs of feed
- Can be stocked with pellets, grain, scratch or crumbles
- Has a rain proof guard
- Excellent at deterring pests and rodents as only birds can access the feed
CONS
- If set to bantams which are younger and lighter birds, a larger racoon may be heavy enough to breach the treadle
- Has a very industrious feel, looks more like a piece of machinery to harvest your birds than feed them
- Cheap materials mean it can rust over time, customers have reported rusted grills and mouldy feed.
Features
- Gravity feeder
- Easy install
- 6.5 lb capacity
- Rain cover
- Weatherproof
- Robust plastic
- Established company
Now we have the Royal Rooster Chicken Poultry Feeder with Rain Cover. Another great gravity feeder, this one comes with a 6.5 lb capacity and is 20 inches tall. It can be easily attached to a fence and feed your birds with gravity.
WHAT WE LIKE
We really like its simple design; the product will keep all your birds well fed.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
Again, this product hasn’t got much in the way of pest control, other than that you can mount it off the ground, so your setup will have to have other means of ensuring the rodents stay out and away from the feed.
PROS
- Feeds 3-4 birds at once
- 6.5 lb capacity
- Gravity feeding to easy automatic refill and you don’t have to do much
CONS
- No pest deterrents
- 6.5 lb capacity is quite small
Features
- Comes with 2 ports so your birds can get fed quickly
- Gravity refills
- Simple design
- Cheap product
- Easy to install
- Rain covers
- Automatically feeds your birds
Just like the name implies, this product can hold pellets, grains, and even crumbles. A really great one on our list is the Chicken Feeder Bucket. This simple product can be hung in your rig with feed below in the bucket; as the birds eat from the port gravity will refill the feed and ensure your birds get well fed.
WHAT WE LIKE
We really like its 2 port access openings meaning more than 1 bird can east at once; these also come with great rain covers to protect against the elements.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
The ports to feed from are raised from the bottom of the bucket but not very high, so pests could still access feed if they managed to get into your coop. If you have a good coop, then you should already have measures to stop this.
PROS
- Rain covers to make waterproof
- Automatically refills
- 2x port feeders
- Simply instillation
CONS
- No pest protection
- At 70 bucks this bucket is quite expensive.
Features
- 16 opulence capacity
- Reduces spilling
- Round
- Hangs on a wall
- Automatically refills for the birds to always drink
- Easy to install, just mount or hook
- Safe design, being round, the edges are all smooth to reduces chafing and injury
- 1 pint capacity
A great addition to our list of feeders. This product is not a feeder. It’s a waterer, and you want it. Our research has found this to be the best waterer on the market. The Little Giant Round Hanging Poultry Waterer holds 16 ounces of water and automatically refills as the birds drink from the bottom. Luckily this is a cheap and cheerful product, a redeeming quality which earns it its place on our list. Your birds will never go thirsty with this poultry waterer.
WHAT WE LIKE
We really like its round design; this product has been designed through use with the safety of the birds in mind. It’s widely reported in the world of poultry waterers that birds often get injured on sharp edges and metallic corners that come on a whole host of poorly designed poultry waterers. This is not the case with the Little Giant Hanging Waterer. Its round-edged and smooth shape mean your birds can bustle around each other to get a drink, and none of them will be harmed by the product.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
We don’t like the 1 pint capacity, even though your birds won’t drink much, this really isn’t a lot of water, and you’ll have to refill the product, slightly undermining its purpose frequently.
PROS
- Gravity waterer
- Really nice design
- Safe product
- Very cheap so good on a budget
CONS
- Very small capacity so lots of refills will be required
- Many of them are reported to leak
- Very difficult to reach inside and clean
- Made in china so long delivery times
Features
- Can be loaded with pellets, grain, crumbles or flake
- Gravity refill
- Pest proof access port
- Large capacity of 8 lbs
- Anti spill design
- Easy clean
- Easy fill
- Easy install
Next up on the list, we have a fantastic product worth every penny. This chicken feeder has been designed to automatically refill and keep your birds fed whilst using an ingenious method of deterring pests and stopping rodents from getting at your feed.
WHAT WE LIKE
We absolutely love the RoamWild Rat Proof Chicken Feeder Kit’s ability only to feed chickens and deter other pests. If a rat tries to get into the hanging feeder, its weight will close the access port, and it won’t be able to get any feed. But for the chickens, they simply poke their beaks in the access port and eat their fill.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
As this is a hanging design, it can swing and spin in the wind, and potentially, feed could be spilled on the ground around the feeder, attracting pests.
PROS
- Great deterrents against pests and rodents to ensure only your birds get the feed you give them
- Automatically refills with gravity as the birds eat so you don’t have to worry about them between refills
- Decent capacity
CONS
- The product is currently unavailable and it’s not known if the manufacturer will be producing anymore, hopefully you can get one soon though.
- Swings in the wind
Features
- Holds up to 40 lb of feed
- Rain proof
- Pest proof
- Deters rats, racoons, squirrels, mice, and any other pests that might want to steal your feed.
- Adjustable treadle release for different types of birds
- 1.5 lb for bantams,3 lb for full grown
- Metallic grill to stop the feed being spilled
- 3 step training programme for birds to get used to the new feeder
Finally, rounding up our list, we have a family classic and a well-known brand in the world of chicken feeders; Grandpa’s Feeder Automatic Chicken Feeder. This is a heavy-duty treadle feeder that you can rely on to feed your birds 20 lbs of automatically refilling feed. Only the birds can access the feed thanks to the treadle design that releases food with their weight.
WHAT WE LIKE
We like that it’s made by Grandpa’s Feeder. This is a great company that’s been around for a long time and has become a trusted name. This chicken feeder has a decent capacity and will only feed your birds.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
As it’s a trusted brand, its price reflects this, and even though the product is actually worth spending your money or time on, you’ll have to spend to do so as it’s the most expensive item on our list.
PROS
- Great trusted brand
- Solid design with strong materials
- 20 years establishes company
- Treadle feeder
- Decent capacity
CONS
- Rain cover may not be that good
- Expensive
What To Look For Automatic Feeders
Size and capacity
Depending on the size of your flock, you’ll need an automatic feeder of suitable capacity.
Features
Many automatic feeders come with adjustable food trays and levels, so you can customize the nutrition your chickens receive. Some also have timers or motion detectors that shut off during inclement weather to prevent food waste.
Durability
Look for a feeder made from sturdy materials that are designed to last
Ease of use and maintenance
Look for an automatic feeder that’s easy to assemble and clean
Price
Shop around and compare prices to get the best value. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of ongoing maintenance, too.
Finally, read reviews and ask people who have used the feeder for their opinion. Doing this will give you a better idea of whether or not an automatic feeder is right for your chickens.
Overall, automatic feeders are a great way to provide your chickens with consistent nutrition and make managing their daily diet simpler. With the right feeder, you can provide your chickens with a balanced and nutritious diet without being there every day. Just remember to factor in the cost, read reviews, and find an automatic feeder that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are automatic feeders good for chickens?
Automatic feeders are an excellent way to provide your chickens with a consistent supply of food and can make managing their daily nutrition much easier. You can set it up once with an automatic feeder, and the reliable device will do the rest. It will dispense the same amount of food each day at the same time(s).
This way, you won’t have to worry about providing enough food for your chickens or having to be available at specific times of day to feed them.
Automatic feeders also allow you to provide a balanced diet for your chickens. The type of feeder and the features it has will determine this; however, many automatic feeders come with adjustable feed trays and food levels, so you can customize the nutrition your chickens receive. By controlling their diet in this way, you’ll ensure they get the nutrients they need to remain healthy and strong.
What is the disadvantage of automatic feeders?
The downside of automatic feeders is that they can be relatively expensive. Also, some chickens may not take kindly to the change and could resist it at first. This can mean a period of adjustment until they become used to their new feeding routine. If you’re diligent about training your chickens and familiarizing them with their new feeder, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Finally, it’s important to remember that while automatic feeders are convenient, they’re no substitute for providing your chickens with fresh food and treats now and then. A varied diet is essential if you want your chickens to stay healthy and happy, so don’t forget to offer them a few extras occasionally. If you’re low on funds but still want to keep your feathered friends fed, check out our post on the top chicken feeders that don’t break the bank!
Final Verdict
So which is worth its weight in the chicken feed? The top spot goes to the KEBONNIXS Automatic Chicken Cup Waterer and Port Feeder Set. This truly was the best on our list after all our research; you get a complete care system to automatically provide both food and water to your birds, compatible with any feed, and with easy cleaning features; this set is also stylish and aesthetically pleasing to look at. We just know your chickens will love using the waterer and feeder set.
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