Best Rat Proof Chicken Feeder (Buying Guide)
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Our top picks
- Best treadle feeder for 3 to 6 hensGrandpa's Feeders Galvanized Treadle Feeder 20 lbCheck price on Amazon →
- Best for 6 to 12 hensGrandpa's Feeders Galvanized Treadle Feeder 40 lbCheck price on Amazon →
- Best alternative treadle feederRentACoop Treadle Chicken Feeder 40 lbCheck price on Amazon →
You see one rat run under the coop at dusk. That means there are more. They came for the same thing your hens did. The feed.
An open feeder is a free buffet every night once the hens go to roost. Shut the buffet and most rats move on. That is why a rat proof feeder is the first thing keepers buy once they spot droppings by the coop.
All our picks
Treadle feeders
- Best treadle feeder for 3 to 6 hensGrandpa's Feeders Galvanized Treadle Feeder 20 lbThe best known treadle feeder.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓
- Best for 6 to 12 hensGrandpa's Feeders Galvanized Treadle Feeder 40 lbThe same design with twice the room.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓
- Best alternative treadle feederRentACoop Treadle Chicken Feeder 40 lbA galvanized treadle feeder with a step plate and lid.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓
Port feeders
- Best port feeder for a small flockOmlet No Waste Chicken Feeder 12 lb with 5 PortsFive ports let hens eat without scattering feed.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓
- Best port feeder for bigger flocksRentACoop 25 lb Chicken Feeder with 4 PortsHens eat through covered ports so they cannot flick feed out.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓
- Best cheap DIY optionPoultry Pro DIY Chicken Feeder Kit with 3 PortsThree ports and a hole saw.Check price on Amazon →Details ↓
In this guide
Why rats come to a chicken coop
Rats and mice want food and a dry place to nest. A coop with spilled feed on the floor offers both. Maryland Extension’s advice on rodent control on small poultry farms starts with the same point. Take away the food and you cut the number of rodents the place can support.
So a good feeder does two jobs. It locks feed away at night. It also stops hens flicking pellets onto the floor all day.
Treadle feeders or port feeders
Treadle feeders have a lid over the feed tray. The lid lifts only when a hen stands on a step plate. A rat is too light to open it. Night or day the feed stays covered. This is the closest thing to truly rat proof.
Port feeders make hens reach into a hole to eat. They waste far less feed than an open pan. Less feed on the ground means less for rats. But a rat can still climb up and reach into a port. Hang a port feeder high or take it in at night for the best results.
If you already have rats choose a treadle. If you mostly want less waste a port feeder is cheaper and simpler.
Our picks
Grandpa's Feeders Galvanized Treadle Feeder 20 lb
The best known treadle feeder. The lid only opens when a hen steps on the plate. Twenty pounds of feed lasts a small flock a good while.
What to like
- Keeps rats and wild birds out
- Galvanized steel
- Feed stays dry
Watch out for
- Hens need a few days to learn it
- Costs more than a tube feeder
Grandpa's Feeders Galvanized Treadle Feeder 40 lb
The same design with twice the room. Grandpa's Feeders says it feeds 6 to 12 chickens for up to 10 days. Fewer refills means fewer trips to the feed can.
What to like
- Big capacity
- Lid seals the feed away
- Built from steel
Watch out for
- Heavy when full
- Too big for 2 or 3 hens
RentACoop Treadle Chicken Feeder 40 lb
A galvanized treadle feeder with a step plate and lid. RentACoop says it blocks rats and mice and wild birds. Worth a look if the Grandpa's model is out of stock.
What to like
- Step plate keeps the lid shut
- Holds 40 pounds
- Weatherproof
Watch out for
- Training takes a few days
- Small bantams may be too light for the step
Omlet No Waste Chicken Feeder 12 lb with 5 Ports
Five ports let hens eat without scattering feed. Omlet says it feeds 6 hens for 7 days. It hangs or stands so you can lift it out of a rat's reach.
What to like
- Very little spilled feed
- Hangs or stands
- Weatherproof lid
Watch out for
- Rats can still reach a port at night
- Hens need a day to find the ports
RentACoop 25 lb Chicken Feeder with 4 Ports
Hens eat through covered ports so they cannot flick feed out. It comes with rain hoods and a lid and a stand. A full bag fits inside.
What to like
- Big capacity
- Rain hoods keep feed dry
- Little waste
Watch out for
- Not sealed at night
- Damp feed can clog a port
Poultry Pro DIY Chicken Feeder Kit with 3 Ports
Three ports and a hole saw. Drill them into a bucket or bin with a tight lid and you have a low waste feeder. The bucket is not included.
What to like
- Cheap way to cut waste
- Use any food safe bucket
- Easy to make a big one
Watch out for
- You need a drill and a bucket
- Not sealed against rats at night
| Pick | Best for | Main plus | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandpa's Feeders Galvanized Treadle Feeder 20 lb | Best treadle feeder for 3 to 6 hens | Keeps rats and wild birds out | Hens need a few days to learn it |
| Grandpa's Feeders Galvanized Treadle Feeder 40 lb | Best for 6 to 12 hens | Big capacity | Heavy when full |
| RentACoop Treadle Chicken Feeder 40 lb | Best alternative treadle feeder | Step plate keeps the lid shut | Training takes a few days |
| Omlet No Waste Chicken Feeder 12 lb with 5 Ports | Best port feeder for a small flock | Very little spilled feed | Rats can still reach a port at night |
| RentACoop 25 lb Chicken Feeder with 4 Ports | Best port feeder for bigger flocks | Big capacity | Not sealed at night |
| Poultry Pro DIY Chicken Feeder Kit with 3 Ports | Best cheap DIY option | Cheap way to cut waste | You need a drill and a bucket |
Habits that matter as much as the feeder
A feeder alone won’t solve a rat problem. These steps work with it.
- Store spare feed in a metal can with a tight lid. Rats chew through plastic bins and paper sacks.
- Sweep up spilled feed and scratch grains before dusk.
- Feed treats in the morning so hens finish them before dark.
- Cover vents and gaps with half inch hardware cloth. Mice fit through very small holes.
- Raise the waterer off the floor. Rats need water too.
Our full guide on how to keep rats and mice out of a chicken coop covers sealing the coop and safe traps.
How we chose
We started with extension advice on rodent control around poultry. Then we read maker listings for capacity and how each feeder closes. We read owner feedback on rats getting in and hens failing to learn the step. We haven’t tested these feeders ourselves. See how we choose products for the full process.
FAQ
Are treadle feeders really rat proof?
They are the closest you can buy. A rat is too light to press the step. Very large rats sometimes learn to push the lid so keep the area clean too.
How long do hens take to learn a treadle feeder?
Most learn in a few days to two weeks. Prop the lid open at first. Then lower it a little each day until they step on the plate by themselves.
Can bantams use a treadle feeder?
Some can’t. A single bantam may be too light to open the lid. Look for a feeder with an adjustable step or use a port feeder hung high instead.
Should I take the feeder in at night?
With a port feeder that helps a lot. With a treadle feeder you can leave it out because the lid stays shut.
For more on feeders and waterers see our best chicken feeders and waterers guide.
