Hanging Feeder vs Treadle Feeder
Feed waste and rodents are the same problem. What a treadle feeder actually saves, and whether it is worth several times the price.
The short version
A treadle feeder is the only one of these that keeps rats, mice and wild birds out of the feed, and if you have a rodent problem it pays for itself in feed alone within a season. It is also the answer to the wild bird traffic that brings disease onto a property. A hanging feeder is far cheaper, needs no training, and works fine if you bring the feed in at night and have no rodent pressure. Be honest about which situation you are in. Rats around a coop are not a tidiness issue: they take eggs, kill chicks and injure adult birds.
At a glance
| Harris Farms Galvanised Hanging Poultry Feeder | Grandpa's Feeders Treadle Chicken Feeder, 20 lb | |
|---|---|---|
| Excludes rats and mice | No | Yes when adjusted correctly |
| Excludes wild birds | No | Yes |
| Feed waste from billing out | Moderate | Low |
| Training needed | None | One to two weeks |
| Cost | Low | High |
| Suits bantams and young birds | Yes | Needs adjusting, some cannot work it |
Choose the Harris Farms Galvanised Hanging Poultry Feeder if…
A hanging feeder is fine for a small flock with no rodent pressure. Hang it so the lip is at about the height of the birds' backs, which cuts the amount they flick out onto the floor, and use one with a wide anti scratch lip. Bring it inside overnight or keep it in a rodent proofed coop, because feed left out after dark is what attracts rats in the first place. Keep it dry, since wet feed grows mould quickly.
Check Harris Farms Galvanised Hanging Poultry Feeder on Amazon
Choose the Grandpa's Feeders Treadle Chicken Feeder, 20 lb if…
A treadle feeder is worth the money if you have rats, mice or heavy wild bird traffic. Train the flock with the lid propped open for a week or two, then set it to close, and expect a few birds to take longer. Adjust the counterweight for the smallest birds in the flock, and watch that bantams and pullets can actually open it, because a bird that cannot work the treadle simply goes hungry and you will not notice quickly.
Check Grandpa's Feeders Treadle Chicken Feeder, 20 lb on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Reviewed in detail
If you have narrowed the decision to one product, we go through it in detail here: Grandpa's Feeders 40 lb review and Omlet no waste chicken feeder review.
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An Automatic Coop Door, the Upgrade Keepers Regret Waiting On
Nearly every predator loss happens because a door was open at dusk or dawn. An automatic opener closes on a light sensor or timer whether or not you are home, which is the single biggest reduction in risk available to a small flock.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of rats around a coop?
Remove the food source first, which means feed stored in metal bins, no feed left out overnight, spilled grain cleared up, and a treadle feeder if the problem persists. Then remove harbourage: woodpiles, long grass and gaps under the coop. Traps in tamper resistant boxes have a place. Poison around a coop is a poor idea, because chickens and the animals that eat rodents get poisoned too.
Should feed be available all day?
For most backyard flocks yes, free choice during daylight, since hens regulate intake reasonably well and laying birds need steady access. What should not be free choice is treats and scratch grains. If free feeding is attracting rodents, move to a treadle feeder rather than rationing the birds, since restricting feed causes bullying and drops production.
How much feed does a hen eat?
Roughly a quarter of a pound, around 110 to 120 grams, of complete feed per standard laying hen per day, with variation by breed, weather and how much they forage. Use that to check your consumption: a sudden increase usually means something else is eating it, and a sudden drop usually means a health problem in the flock and is worth investigating.
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