The Best Chicken Feeders: Buying Guide and Top Picks
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The best chicken feeders: Little Giant, ZenxyHoC and RentACoop picks plus waste, weather and rodent tips.
Feed is one of the biggest ongoing costs of keeping backyard chickens, and a poor feeder lets hens scratch feed onto the ground, invites rats and wild birds and needs refilling every day. A good feeder holds enough for several days, keeps feed dry and cuts waste. Options range from simple hanging tube feeders to no waste port kits for buckets and treadle feeders that open only when a chicken steps on them. This guide to the best chicken feeders breaks down the features that matter, common mistakes and our top picks so you can buy with confidence.
We start with our top three picks, then cover a full buying guide, the main types of chicken feeders, care tips and answers to common questions. Every product in the table above is sold new on Amazon US. Keep feed dry to prevent mold, store extra feed in a sealed, rodent proof container and wash your hands after handling poultry, feeders and feed.
Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance
Our picks are the Little Giant Hanging Metal Poultry Feeder 40 Pound as the best overall, the ZenxyHoC No Waste DIY 6 Port Chicken Feeder as the best value and the RentACoop Automatic Treadle Chicken Feeder 25 lb as the best premium pick for rodent control.
We compared capacity, waste reduction, weather protection, rodent resistance, materials, ease of filling and cleaning and price, along with the overall pattern in owner feedback. We did not use these feeders ourselves; the notes reflect maker specifications.
Most flocks do well with one main feeder plus a separate supplement feeder for oyster shell or grit. If rodents are already a problem, start with a treadle feeder rather than adding one later.
Best Overall: Little Giant Hanging Metal Poultry Feeder (40 Pound)
The Little Giant hanging metal feeder suits most backyard flocks, at around $56. Little Giant lists a galvanized steel feed container with a hanging handle that holds up to 40 pounds of feed.
Two strengths stand out: durable galvanized steel that resists chewing and weather, and a hanging design that keeps feed off the ground and lets you raise the feeder to chicken back height to reduce scratching waste.
The limitation is an open pan that wild birds can reach. Hang it inside the coop or run if sparrows are a problem.
Best for: flocks of about 6 to 12 hens, coops with a sturdy beam for hanging and keepers who want fewer refills.
Best Value: ZenxyHoC No Waste DIY Chicken Feeder (6 Ports)
The ZenxyHoC kit is for budget minded keepers who want to turn a bucket into a no waste feeder, at around $20. ZenxyHoC lists 6 ports with downward facing openings that keep feed from spilling, a 3.15 inch port diameter for gravity feeding, rainproof covers with rubber gaskets, BPA free plastic and an included hole saw for installation.
Its strengths are low cost, big waste reduction and the ability to use any bucket or bin you choose.
The trade off is some DIY setup. Chickens may also need a few days to learn to eat from ports.
Best for: DIY minded keepers, flocks of any size and anyone who already has spare buckets or bins.
Best Premium Pick: RentACoop Automatic Treadle Chicken Feeder (25 lb)
The RentACoop treadle feeder suits keepers dealing with rats, mice or wild birds, at around $180. RentACoop describes it as an automatic treadle feeder that is rat proof and no waste, holding 25 pounds of feed.
The appeal is a lid that opens only when a chicken steps on the treadle, which keeps pests out of the feed.
The limitation is price and a training period while chickens learn to use the treadle.
Best for: coops near fields, barns or woods where rats, squirrels and wild birds raid feed.
How to Choose the Best Chicken Feeders: Buying Guide
Flock size, waste control, weather and pest protection, ease of use and value matter most. Here is what to compare.
Flock Size and Who It's For
Match capacity to your flock. Grandpa's Feeders says its standard 20 pound feeder feeds about 6 chickens for 10 days. Larger flocks need 40 pound feeders, like Little Giant's metal feeder and HVDI's 40 pound feeder. Chicks need small, low feeders.
A typical laying hen eats roughly a quarter pound of feed per day, so multiply by your flock size and the number of days between refills to estimate capacity.
Waste Reduction
Chickens love to flick feed out with their beaks. Port feeders, like ZenxyHoC and Suplklz, and feeders with extended ports, like HVDI's, reduce spillage. Hanging feeders at back height also cut waste.
Pellets usually waste less than crumbles or mash, since chickens can pick them up more easily.
Weather and Rain Protection
Wet feed molds quickly. Look for rain covers and sealed lids. HVDI uses a conical lid that sheds rain and stops birds from perching, ZenxyHoC uses rainproof covers and gaskets and RentACoop's 50 lb trough feeder includes a lid and rain cover.
Place feeders under a roof or overhang whenever possible, even if they have rain covers.
Rodent and Wild Bird Resistance
Treadle feeders, like RentACoop's and Grandpa's Feeders, close when chickens are not eating. Grandpa's lists galvanized steel and a weatherproof lid. Port feeders also limit access for wild birds compared with open trays.
Collect leftover feed at night and keep the coop floor clean to discourage rodents.
Ease of Filling and Cleaning
Wide openings make refilling easy. HVDI adds a viewing window to check feed levels. Removable parts and smooth surfaces simplify cleaning.
Feeders with adjustable legs, like HVDI's, let you raise the feeder as chicks grow without tools.
Materials and Durability
Galvanized steel, used by Little Giant, Grandpa's and HVDI, resists chewing and weather. Plastic feeders, like Little Giant's 11 pound plastic hanging feeder at around $30, are lighter and cheaper but less durable outdoors.
Grandpa's says many customers find its feeder pays for itself in the first year through lower feed bills, and the brand has sold its design for over twenty years.
Price vs Value
DIY port kits cost around $18 to $25, hanging feeders around $20 to $56 and treadle feeders around $180 to $230. Feed savings can offset higher upfront costs over time.
Larger RentACoop models, like the 50 lb trough at around $120 and the 65 lb six port feeder at around $160, suit bigger flocks.
Types of Chicken Feeders
Chicken feeders fall into a few main types. Here is who each suits.
Many keepers combine types, using a port or treadle feeder for daily feed and a small hanging feeder for chicks or treats. The best chicken feeders for your setup depend on flock size, coop layout and local pests.
Hanging Gravity Feeders
Hanging feeders, like Little Giant's metal and plastic models, release feed into a pan as hens eat. They suit most coops and are easy to use.
Raise the pan as birds grow.
No Waste Port Feeders
Port feeders, like ZenxyHoC, Suplklz and HVDI, let chickens reach into ports, which cuts waste and keeps feed clean.
Show hens the ports by tapping them or placing a little feed near the openings at first.
Treadle Feeders
Treadle feeders, like RentACoop and Grandpa's Feeders, open only when a chicken steps on a platform, which blocks rodents and wild birds.
Some heavier treadles may be hard for bantams or young birds to press.
Specialty Feeders
Supplement feeders, like the Revolutionary Chicken oyster shell and grit feeder combo at around $20, offer calcium and grit separately so hens can take what they need.
Mount them at chest height for hens.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Check feeders daily and refill before they run empty. Clean feeders every week or two, and scrub and dry them thoroughly if feed gets wet.
Hang or raise feeders to about the height of a chicken's back. Store feed in a sealed metal can to keep rodents out. Move feeders under cover during storms.
Watch for clumped or moldy feed, which can make chickens sick, and replace it right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are expensive chicken feeders worth it?
Expensive treadle feeders are worth it if rodents or wild birds steal feed, since savings add up. For small flocks without pest problems, affordable hanging or port feeders work well.
Durability matters too.
How do I clean a chicken feeder?
Empty old feed, scrub with warm water and mild soap, rinse and let the feeder dry completely before refilling. Clean more often in wet weather.
A stiff brush helps with dried feed.
What features matter most when buying chicken feeders?
Capacity, waste reduction, rain protection and rodent resistance matter most. Durable materials and easy refilling add convenience.
A viewing window saves time checking feed levels.
How long does a chicken feeder last?
Galvanized steel feeders can last many years, while plastic feeders may last a few seasons outdoors. Keeping feeders covered extends their life.
Replace cracked plastic parts and worn hanging wires promptly.
How much should I spend on a chicken feeder?
Most backyard keepers spend around $20 to $56 on a hanging or port feeder. Treadle feeders cost around $180 or more.
Feed savings matter more than the sticker price over time.
Our Verdict
The best chicken feeders save feed and keep it clean and dry. The Little Giant 40 pound metal feeder is our best overall pick, the ZenxyHoC port kit offers great value and the RentACoop treadle feeder keeps pests out.
Match capacity to your flock and choose pest protection that fits your area.
For more garden and outdoor guides, see the best bird feeders, the best bird baths, the best compost bin and the best insect traps. Then compare current prices in the product table above.
