Poultry owners in need of quick feeding with healthy flocks have widely adopted chicken treadle feeders. These treadle feeders which are nearly always made of galvanized sheet metal are feed boxes with lids that can only be opened up if a chicken steps on them.
The concept is pretty simple, a typical rat weighs around 300g, wild birds such as crows are even lighter, and this feed box will only open with a weight greater than 500g so ideally only a chicken would easily be able to access the feed in a treadle feeder.
This system avoids feed wastage and contamination by rodents and wild birds. These have been around for a very long time and can be found in three sizes to suit small, medium, and big flocks.
Best Selling Chicken Treadle Feeders
The success and longevity of the treadle feeders have prompted many companies to design their own versions that have become popular over the years. Some of the most popular ones you can try for your flock include:
1. Grandpa’s Feeder
Grandpa’s Feeder, invented and manufactured in New Zealand, has grown to be a trusted name worldwide with poultry keepers. The key features of this product include:
- Strong Build: Crafted from steel and aluminum tread plate galvanized for strength against harsh weather.
- Pest Protection: The design of Grandpa’s feeder is such that it keeps all kinds of pests such as birds, rats, and mice from accessing the feed, reducing wastage of feed and saving costs of running out quickly.
- Holding Capacity: The standard chicken feeder holds 20 lbs and is able to feed 6 chickens for 10 days. The large chicken feeder, on the other hand, weighs 40 lbs and can feed 20 chickens for 6 days.
- User Review: Users have rated this as very effective. For example, one reviewer mentioned it took her five rescue chickens just three days to learn how to use the feeder.
2. RentACoop’s Treadle Feeder
This chicken treadle feeder is made out of metal and keeps the feed dry and safe from pests. Some of its key features include:
- Locked Lid and Training Bolts: It has a lock on its lid that keeps the feed safe from pests. It also includes training bolts for your chickens to get familiarized with the feeder.
- Anti-Roost Lid: This prevents the chickens from roosting on it and pooping in it, which keeps the feed clean all the time.
- Large Capacity: For fewer fills and easy management. You can fill this chicken treadle feeder with 25 lbs of feed, which is enough to feed 6 full-grown birds for 10 days.
- User Insights: Several customers have said that this feeder is cost-effective and very easy to use.
3. Olba Chicken Treadle Feeder
This easy-to-use and install chicken treadle feeder is available in many different sizes and is built to last. Some of its key features include:
- No Mold: The special shape and round edges of this chicken feeder ensure that mold does not grow on it, keeping the feed clean.
- Spill Free: The unique shape and height adjustable bin make this product spill-free and less likely for there to be feed wastage.
- Various Sizes: It comes in many sizes and you store 11 lbs, 17 lbs, 26 lbs, or 44 lbs of chicken feed in one depending on the option you choose.
- User Feedback: Users have reported this product to be easy to assemble and use. It also holds a lot of food at once so they don’t have to worry about refills.
The Pros And Cons Of Chicken Treadle Feeders
There are many mixed opinions as to whether a chicken treadle feeder is worth investing in or not, it comes with its fair share of pros and cons such as:
| Pros | Cons |
The weight restriction prevents lighter-weight animals from accessing the feed. Keeping rodents, wild birds, and other animals from getting to the feed.
A fully covered feeder means that the food does not spill over, and only chickens get to eat the feed, thus saving money and reducing waste.
Most chicken feeders are designed to be weatherproof and commonly come with covers to shield the feed from rain and humidity. |
One should not underestimate how smart rodents can be, once they figure out where the feed is, they somehow gain access to it as well. It has been reported many times that rats, as a group, will stand on the treadle and open the lid.
The chicken food that falls to the ground inside the coop or pen and gets contaminated by chicken poop can be dangerous for your birds to eat. |
How To Choose The Right Size Of Feeder?
Chicken feeders come in various different sizes and can feed many chickens at once, the ratio depends on how many chickens you have. With a chicken treadle feeder, you do not have to worry about leaving your chickens hungry as they can enjoy as much food as they want.
Many companies produce feeders starting from 11 lbs, 17 lbs, 26 lbs, or 44 lbs. You can purchase any of these sizes depending on your chicken. For example, a full-grown chicken will eat approximately ¼ pound of feed per day so a single 12-pound feeder might be sufficient for a small flock of one to six chickens whereas larger flocks of more than 20 birds will need a 30 to 60-pound feeder.
Should You Buy A Chicken Treadle Feeder?
By putting money into a good chicken feeder, you can save a lot of money, reduce waste, and prevent any unwanted pests in your chicken feed. The unique features of each company’s product allow you to choose something that fits your needs. Their durability and sturdiness make them a great choice for all poultry keepers. In case you need a decent chicken treadle feeder, you can go with either Grandpa’s Feeder, RentACoop, or the Smartstep Poultry Feeder.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Chicken Treadle Feeders
Q. What Chicken Treadle Feeder is the best to purchase?
A. There are many popular brands to choose from, the right chicken feeder for you depends on factors like size, pest issues, and the weather conditions in your area.
Q. Do you need a Chicken Waterer?
A. Absolutely! It is a great investment as it will keep your chickens hydrated for a long period of time without having to constantly refill their water.
Q. How often should you clean the feeder?
A. It is important that you clean the feeder at least once a week to avoid any bacteria or old feed building up.
Q. What type of food to put in the feeder?
A. Depending on how young your chicken is, you can begin with starter feed and then switch to grower feed once your chicken is 8 weeks old. The treadle feeder can also be filled with commercially prepared chicken feed such as layer pellets or a similar grain-based mix.
Q. What type of food to not be put in the feeder?
A. Insects or any type of animal protein should not be fed to chickens.
