The 9 Best Chicken Feeders For Your Backyard Flock

Reviews

Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer

We suggest the Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer for backyard flocks of varying sizes. The base is reversible, so if you wish to use it as a water bowl, you can just flip it over. Purchase two containers to use for both food and water.

The sides are labeled for ease of use, and turning it over is a breeze. After filling it with either food or water, you just unscrew the top portion and screw it back on the other end.

The reservoir can carry around 64 ounces of water or 4 kg of food. The hole is sufficiently large for easy cleaning. It also implies that it can handle bigger food items and will not frequently become clogged. Chickens may be filthy, thus the entire structure is designed to be easily cleaned with a moist cloth. It is waterproof and highly resistant to the weather.

While we primarily examined the 64-ounce feeder, a 128-ounce feeder is available for people with a large number of birds. The only difference is that everything is somewhat bigger.

We recommend purchasing a larger size than necessary, as the sizes indicate overall capacity. If you need to keep exactly 64 ounces of water, choosing the smaller container will result in a very full container.

Pros

• Reversible for food and water usage
• Conveniently designed
• Two sizes are offered.
• Simple to clean
• Large opening

Cons

• In most circumstances, a larger container is required for water; a smaller container simply cannot hold enough.

 

Ware Chick-N-Feeder

The Ware Chick-N-Feeder is incredibly straightforward and affordable. It is designed to be hung or placed on the ground so that your birds may feed from all angles.

The all-weather plastic design withstands the environment effectively, allowing for year-round outdoor use. A scratch ring stops hens from spilling their food, hence reducing food wastage and saving you money. This feeder disassembles into two halves for ease of usage and cleaning.

The scatter guard is really beneficial for birds who are prone to causing a mess. However, some hens find it disappointing when they cannot disperse the food how they like. This may cause some hens to dislike this feeder.

One of the reasons why this feeder is so inexpensive is because its structure is significantly less sturdy. It does not hold together as well as other feeders on the market, which might be problematic if you have a flock of unruly hens.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• All-climate plastic
• Ring scratching
• Hangs or rests on the ground

Cons

• Not as sturdy as competing choices

 

Happy Hen Treats Chicken Square Treat Basket

The Happy Hen Treats Chicken Square Treat Basket is only applicable in particular circumstances. It differs from other feeders in design and is not intended for use with chicken pellets or similar foods. Instead, it functions best when you can fit bulkier objects within.

The wire mesh stops hens from removing the entire piece of food but allows them to remove little portions. This ensures that each chicken receives a small portion and prevents massive messes. It functions optimally with treat squares or suet cakes.

It can be hung from the chicken coop or simply set on the ground, but it should always be anchored to prevent the hens from moving the entire basket as they try to devour its contents. It is not designed to store all of the food that your chicken needs for a balanced diet, but it does offer additional mental stimulation.

This wire feeder is intended to need minimal maintenance. You do not need to clean or maintain it frequently.

Pros

• Compatible with greater portions of food
• Can be hung
• Keeps messes to a minimum
• Provides mental stimulation

Cons

• Not compatible with most chicken feeds.

 

Automatic Chicken Cup Waterer and Port Feeder Set by Kebonnixs

With the Kebonixs Automatic Chicken Cup Waterer and Port Feeder Set, you can provide your hens both food and water. The port feeder protects your hens from spilling or contaminating their food, saving you money and ensuring that their food is as hygienic as possible.

Additionally, it keeps food dry, making it an excellent choice for wetter regions. There is no need to place a cover over this feeder since it already has one. It contains 10 pounds of food, which is plenty for several birds.

The watering can is comparable. It refreshes itself with clean water automatically. The chickens are not required to peck anything in particular. It can contain 2 gallons of water, but it will need to be refilled frequently. The inside cup is removable to facilitate cleaning.

This bundle is more expensive than most alternatives, though. Also, it occupies a considerable amount of space, so ensure you have the necessary space before making a purchase. Unless you require a waterer, this kit is not for you. It also lacks heat, so as the temperature lowers, the water will freeze.

Pros

• Feeder and waterer set
• 10-pound maximum
• Keeps food moist
• Automatically delivers potable water

Cons

• Expensive
• Large

 

Harris Farm Galvanized Hanging Poultry Feeder

In terms of chicken feeders, the Harris Farm Galvanized Hanging Poultry Feeder is a standard alternative. It has a basic hanging design: You fill the center piece, and it gently flows food to the outer region, where the hens may consume it.

It can store 15 pounds of food, which is sufficient for the majority of backyard flocks. The steel structure can resist considerable usage. Rolling all of the edges prevents cuts. The clips are spring-loaded for convenience and may be adjusted as needed.

This container is without a cover. If you set it on the ground, it might be toppled over and spilled. Additionally, it does not keep food inside dry or protected from the weather. Insects can readily enter your home if they are able to pass your hens. This chicken feeder is not rodent-proof because the top is fully exposed.

The holes from which the food emerges are also potentially hazardous since hens might become entangled in them.

Pros

• Clips with a spring-loaded mechanism
• May be hung or placed on the ground
• 15-pound maximum

Cons

• Potentially hazardous gaps
• No lid

 

Rain Cover for Royal Rooster Chicken Poultry Feeder

The Royal Rooster Chicken Poultry Feeder with Rain Cover is constructed differently from the majority of other available feeders. The huge tube is intended for hanging on a fence or within a cage. Under a roof, three little tubes bring food to the ground. It is resistant to rodents and will keep food dry when it rains.

Attaching it to the mesh is a simple process. Typically, a backyard flock consists of four to six hens, which is the claimed capacity of one feeder.

However, only one bird at a time may reach the food. Obviously, if one chicken tries to hoard food, this might produce difficulties. While this feeder is novel and may work well for hens who are docile, it may cause difficulties for other birds.

While the roof does repel light rain, it is not entirely watertight. Water might permeate the tube and saturate the meal.

Pros

• Rodent-proof
• Simple to use
• Suitable for four to six birds

Cons

• Not totally watertight
• Can be utilized by only one fowl at a time.

 

RentACoop Chicken Feeder

The RentACoop Chicken Feeder may work nicely for individuals who have several hens. It is spacious and can carry twenty pounds of food. It includes a top to prevent water from entering and prevent birds from roosting, which helps keep the food clean. In addition to keeping the food dry and clean, the porthole design allows the birds to feed from it.

Although this feeder does a variety of tasks, it is fairly costly for what it is. This may be your best option if you have a large number of hens, as it is less expensive than purchasing several separate feeders.

However, if you only have a few hens, this expensive item is unnecessary. These feeders are likewise poorly constructed. Frequently, the holes are cut irregularly and have sharp edges. The overhang inserts may require glue if they do not always fit properly.

We do not believe this feeder is worth the money unless you have a large number of hens. For flocks larger than eight, this may be worth considering. Otherwise, obtain a lesser item.

Pros

• Holds 20 pounds
• Keeps food moist
• Non-roosting summit

Cons

• Expensive
• Poorly made

Buyer's Guide

There are several factors to consider when selecting a chicken feeder for your backyard flock. You want to reduce food waste by preventing birds from scattering food and preventing water from leaking inside. Obviously, you also do not want a possibly hazardous chicken feeder. There are various chicken-injuring feeders available for purchase.

In this part, we discuss a few considerations to make while searching for a feeder for your hens.

Size

The average chicken requires around 14 pounds of food every day or 1.5 pounds per week. Obviously, the breed of your hens, the present environment, and other things can all alter the amount of food they consume. However, these data can be used for planning purposes.

When selecting a chicken feeder, you should select one that is large enough to feed all of your birds for a day. If you intend to go on vacation, you will need a cooler that can store enough food for many days.

The greater the size of the feeder, the greater the price tag. You will also need a place to store it, which might be problematic if you have a limited amount of room.

Safety

Prior to selecting a feeder, you must examine its security. However, companies are not always cautious about the safety of their products. Keep in mind that hens like pecking anything and will attempt to roost on anything that is even somewhat suitable. This might result in damage if your bird attempts to peck small metal holes or roosts on sharp edges.

In general, one must always err on the side of caution.

Price

The cost of chicken feeders varies significantly. Some cost less than $10, while others exceed $100. Typically, their size plays a significant influence. Larger feeders are often more expensive since they take more materials to construct.

Feeders with additional components, such as covers and flow adjustments, often cost more. If you have a bigger flock or want a feeder with all the bells and whistles, you should expect to pay extra.

Durability

Unless you only want to use the feeder within the coop, it should be durable enough to endure wear and tear. Even if a bird feeder is merely lying outside, the rain and light may cause damage. In reality, plastic may degrade in direct sunshine.

Metal is the most durable material, yet it may also be dangerous and costly. Frequently, the best alternative is high-quality acrylic that has been treated to endure continual sunshine. Choose the most durable item within your price range, as chickens are notoriously harsh on things.

Food Losses

Several aspects have the potential to reduce food waste. Scratch guards can prevent your hens from scattering their food, whereas rain coverings prevent the food from becoming wet. You likely desire as many food-saving characteristics as possible. It will save you money and reduce the frequency with which you must refill the container.

However, these features are only valuable if they function well. We advise reading reviews to confirm that “waterproof” bird feeders keep water out.

Conclusion

We suggest the Lixit Poultry Feeder & Waterer for small flocks in the backyard. It is sturdy and secure. It may be utilized as both a feeder and a water dish. In addition, it is reasonably affordable compared to other feeders.

The Ware Chick-N-Feeder is perfect if you’re seeking an affordable choice. It includes all-weather plastic and a scratch protector for durability. Try the Happy Hen Goodies Poultry Square Treat Basket for chicken treats.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hope that our reviews have helped you identify the best chicken feeders for your backyard flock. Select one that meets your size specifications and can tolerate the local climate.