A chicken feeder is an essential item to consider for any chicken farmer, and whether you’re an experienced chicken raiser and breeder or just breaking in raising chicken, finding the best chicken feeder is no easy task. There are several types of chicken feeders available on the market and you need to look at the various specs to make sure the model you choose can hold the right amount of feeds for your chickens.
To make your search easier, we reviewed 27 of the best chicken feeders currently available on the market and we decided that the Harris Farms 1000297 is the best choice out there for the vast majority of chicken raisers. This chicken feeder has an open top for fast filling and you can hang it up. Made from sturdy plastic, this chicken feeder is also easy to clean and works well for both beginners and experimented chicken raisers. We also included five other different models in our review so you can easily find one that best suits your needs.
When reviewing the best chicken feeders, we read hundreds of reviews from users who tested them on their farms, and we looked at multiple features to see how the chicken feeders compare, including type, capacity, dimensions, material and weight. After spending a couple of days reviewing various models to find the best chicken feeder, we summed up all the info we gathered in the comparison table below, and provided in-depth reviews of each of the models that made it to our top. The buying guide at the end can help you learn everything about chicken feeders so you can choose the best one for your chickens.
More features: feeds 5-15 chickens, simple Twist Lock assembly, open top fast filling, innovative feed ring
Designed to feed up to 15 chickens at a time, the Harris Farms 1000297 also has a big capacity to store two- or three-days’ feed. The translucent plastic this feeder is made of makes it easy to see how full it is, and we liked the simple twist lock assembly that makes it very easy to clean and refill the feeder.
The Harris Farms 1000297 doesn’t come with a lid, so your need to prevent the food from getting wet by placing it under a cover. However, the fact that the feeder is an open-top model makes it very easy to refill it. The total capacity of the feeder is 7 pounds, and its weight and dimensions make t easy to transport it from one place to another. The Harris Farms 1000297 received lots of praise from users for its durability, with many reviewers mentioning that it can withstand years of use.
More features: 3 position height adjustment, suitable for 15-30 small birds
Made from heavy-duty galvanized steel, the Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder is an affordable chicken feeder that offers good value for money. The feeder is specifically designed to minimize waste, and the rolled edges make it very safe to use. With a total capacity of 15 lbs., this feeder is suitable for up to 15 to 30 birds and it features a convenient hanger so you can move it easily from one place to another.
We particularly liked that you can adjust the height of the Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder thanks to the three-position height adjustment located on the side. This makes it a suitable choice for a variety of birds, ranging from young chicks to game birds. Users who tested this feeder mentioned that it is very easy to refill thanks to the lid-less design. This design, however, means that you need to protect the feeder from rain.
More features: wire scratch guard, spill reducing design
Our budget choice is a trough-style chicken feeder, the Ware Manufacturing Chicken Feeder Trough that is not only very easy to use, but also easy to move around the coop. This feeder is an excellent choice for those who have a small backyard flock. A feature we particularly liked about this chicken feeder include the scratch guard that prevents the chicken from spilling and wasting food.
The Ware Manufacturing Chicken Feeder Trough can feed up to 25 chickens at the same time, according to reports from users who tested it. Some reviewers mentioned that because the feeder is on the lighter side, chickens may tip it over. However, the fact that it is lightweight makes this feeder ideal for those who want to be able to move it easily. Users also reported that the Ware Manufacturing Chicken Feeder Trough is easy to fill up and clean.
More features: feeds 6-12 chickens, easy setup, 1-year money back guarantee
For users who are looking for an automatic chicken feeder, Grandpa’s Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder is an excellent choice. With a total capacity of 20 lbs., this feeder has an automatic opening that only opens when a chicken stands in front of it on a plate. This system protects the chickens’ food from other birds or mice that may eat their grains. It can feed 6-12 chickens at the same time and also does a great job at protecting the food from the elements.
Grandpa’s Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder has a durable construction, being made from galvanized steel, and according to reviews provided by users, it is designed in a way that will make it last for the years to come. It is also a good option for those who want to cut down on their poultry food bill. For extra peace of mind, the Grandpa’s Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder comes with a one-year money back warranty.
More features: adjustable pressure, 2-year warranty, weather proof design and rain cover
Rainproof and pestproof are two words that define the RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder. This automatic feeder is made from galvanized aluminum and has a total capacity of 25 lbs., so you don’t have to keep refilling it every day. It works well for both chickens and full-grown hens, and you can adjust it easily simply by removing a weight under the lid.
The RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder has a metallic grill that prevents the chickens from spilling feed, thus reducing waste. We liked that this feeder is highly durable thanks to the stainless-steel lock nuts and rust proof aluminum. The feeder is very easy to use and works well with crumbles, pellets, scratch and grain feed. It is one of the best options available on the market for chicken raisers who want to be able to keep the food dry and the pests out.
More features: 1gal drinker included, 1 set suites 4-6 chickens, rain cover, easy installation, UV resistant
Besides food, your chicken also need water to thrive and the Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker & Feeder Set is the perfect option to solve both problems in one shot as it includes a chicken waterer. Made in Australia, this feeder/drinker combo is very easy to install and use, as you can fix it on a solid wall. This is a good choice for those who don’t need to feed too many chickens, as its capacity is suitable for four to six chickens.
The Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker & Feeder Set comes with a cover that prevents contamination and protects the food from rain. It is easy to fill and easy to clean, and it has divisions that are specifically designed to prevent chicken from scratching the feed out from the feeding containers. The total feeding capacity of the feeder is 6.5 lbs.
Whether you have just a couple of chicken or an entire farm, a quality chicken feeder is essential. This indispensable item makes it easy to feed the chicken and protect the feed from the elements, but its’ essential to look for a model that suits your and your chickens’ needs. The best chicken feeders are durable and easy to fill and clean, but it’s important to consider multiple factors when choosing one, ranging from size to warranty. This buying guide will help you choose the best chicken feeder to keep your birds happy and healthy.
From the type of feeder to its size and capacity to price and warranty, there are numerous features to consider while buying the best chicken feeder. For the purposes of this buying guide, we looked at the type of feeder, material, weight and dimensions, capacity, warranty, and more.
The two main types of chicken feeders are hanging or automatic, but you can also opt for through models as well.
Hanging chicken feeders are easy to use and affordable, and you can hang them from the top of a chicken run or in the coop. They are ideal for those users who want to be able to retain floor space. You need to make sure you hang them at the current height so the chicken don’t have trouble reaching for the food.
Automatic chicken feeders are popular among those with free range chicken, as they are a good way to make the chicken look for natural additions to their diet while also boosting their intelligence. Some models only work when a chicken stands in front of the feeder, whereas others have timers so you can decide when it’s mealtime even if you’re not there.
Most of the chicken feeders we reviewed and included in our top fall into two categories, when it comes to the material they are made from. Plastic feeders are lightweight and less expensive, and they are generally a suitable choice for those who only need a feeder for a handful of chicken.
Feeders made from galvanized metal, on the other hand, are more durable and even though they cost more, they tend to last for years and are often more convenient and safer for the chickens. The RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder is an example of automated chicken feeder made from galvanized steel. If you’re looking for a metal model that is suitable for hanging, the Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder is a good choice.
The weight and dimensions are important features to consider especially if you don’t have too big of a chicken coop or if you want to be able to move the feeder from one place to another easily. Lightweight models such as the Ware Manufacturing Chicken Feeder Trough are very easy to maneuver, but they may also get tipped by the chickens, so that’s something to keep in mind when buying a lightweight model.
To determine the capacity of the chicken feeder, you need to consider the number of chickens you want to feed. Different models have different capacities, with feeders such as the Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder being suitable for up to 30 chickens, for example. Some models can hold up to 20 pounds of feed, which should last for a couple of days if you don’t have many birds, which means that you don’t have to worry about refilling it every day.
Many of the chicken feeders we reviewed com with a one-year warranty, with the Grandpa’s Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder, for example, having a one-year money back warranty. This gives you extra peace of mind should something go wrong or if you’re not satisfied with the results.
Plastic models that you can hang in the chicken coop are generally the most affordable ones, but you can also find galvanized metal models that offer good value for money, like in the case of the Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder, for instance. Automatic feeders made from galvanized aluminum and that come with various extra features tend to be more expensive, but they are also more durable.
Some of the chicken feeders we included in our review come with extra features that come in handy for different types of users. The Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder, for example, has a three-height adjustment that makes it a versatile choice to feed birds of different sizes. Our editor’s choice, the Harris Farms 1000297 has an innovative feed ring and a twist and lock assembly mechanism for easy use, while the Royal Rooster Twin Cup Drinker & Feeder Set come with a rain cover and is UV resistant for increased durability.
After reviewing more than two dozen chicken feeders, we concluded that the Harris Farms 1000297 is the best choice out there because it’s flexible enough to suit the needs of most users. This hanging feeder is made of plastic so it’s lightweight and easy to clean, and it can feed between 5 and 15 chickens. We liked that you can fill it quickly thanks to the open top design. The Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder came in second on our list, and we think it offers users excellent value for money. This hanging feeder is made from heavy-duty galvanized steel and can feed between 15 to 30 birds. Finally, if you’re looking for the best chicken feeder that comes in a trough form, the Ware Manufacturing Chicken Feeder Trough comes with a spill reducing design to prevent feed wasting. No matter what type of chicken feeder you prefer, make sure the model you buy has the correct capacity for the birds you intend to feed.
