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Feeding chickens comes with its joys, but having rats around is not much fun. Besides, not only can they can pose a risk to your flock by carrying disease and causing stress in your birds, but they can steal quite a bit of food. And it can be costly!
Rats are also keen to steal eggs, plus, having them around can attract other predators such as foxes to pay a visit.
So, if you want to overcome these issues, making food as inaccessible as possible, concealed from sight and accessible is a priority.
Below you’ll find details of some the best feeders that will prevent rats from visiting altogether!
The Best Chicken Feeders To Prevent Rats
Product
Grandpa's Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder
SuperHandy Chicken Feeder
RentACoop Treadle Feeder
Food Storage
20 Pounds
20 Pounds
25 Pounds
Dimensions
17 x 15 x 12 Inches
19.7 x 17 x 11.2 Inches
21 x 18.50 x 14 Inches
Weight
10 Pounds
12 Pounds
22.2 Pounds
Product
Grandpa's Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder
Food Storage
20 Pounds
Dimensions
17 x 15 x 12 Inches
Weight
10 Pounds
Product
SuperHandy Chicken Feeder
Food Storage
20 Pounds
Dimensions
19.7 x 17 x 11.2 Inches
Weight
12 Pounds
Product
RentACoop Treadle Feeder
Food Storage
25 Pounds
Dimensions
21 x 18.50 x 14 Inches
Weight
22.2 Pounds
Chicken Feeder Details
Grandpas Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder - Heavy-Duty Galvanized Steel with Weatherproof Lid - No-Waste Poultry Feeder, Rat Proof, Spill Proof, Standard Size 6 Chickens 10 Days (20lb Feed)
- Durable Galvanized Steel Construction: Made from high-quality galvanized steel, Grandpas Feeder is built to handle years of use in any weather without falling apart. Its sturdy design means you won’t have to keep replacing cheap plastic feeders. Trusted by chicken keepers for over 30 years, it’s the original auto chicken feeder that’s truly built to last.
- Feeds 6 Chickens for 10 Days: This outdoor poultry feeding equipment provides feed-on-demand access, letting your flock eat whenever they’re hungry without needing constant refills. With a large capacity holding up to 9 kg of feed, it can supply chicken coops for 6 chickens for up to 10 days. That means less daily maintenance for you and healthier, happier hens that keep laying their best.
- Zero-Waste Feeding with Anti-Flick Design: This chicken feeder no waste has a built-in anti-flick grill that prevents chickens from tossing feed out of the feeder, cutting down on waste and saving you money on feed. Combined with our unique treadle design, which stops feed from being spilled, scratched out. Cleaner coops, lower feed costs, and less mess no spill chicken feeder—so you spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your flock.
- Pest-Proof, Weather-Proof Cover Lids: The durable cover lids are both pest-proof and weather-proof, protecting your chicken feed from rats, wild birds, insects, rain, snow, and harsh outdoor conditions. This covered chicken feeder ensures the feed stays clean, dry, and fresh, so you can leave the feeder outside without worry and keep your flock well-fed no matter the weather.
- Built-In Side Guards to Prevent Chicken Injury: This gravity chicken feeder features specially designed side guards that stop chickens from feeding from the sides—a common cause of pecking and injury. By guiding birds to eat head-on, the feeder promotes safer, more natural feeding behavior. It’s a simple but important design detail that helps protect your flock while keeping feeding clean, efficient, and stress-free.
SuperHandy Chicken Feeder Automatic 20lbs (9kg) Capacity Trough Feeds 6-12 Poultry/Fowl Up to 10 days Keeps Dry with Spill Proof Galvanized Steel Bird Prevention for Chickens, Pheasants, or Roosters
- SPECS - The Standard Automatic Poultry Feeder Trough will hold 20 lbs (9kg) of feed; Includes: Mesh Fence/Anti-Flick Grill stops chickens throwing food out and prevents chicken feed from being stolen by wild birds, rats/mice or large animal
- RELIABLE DESIGN - Use Side Guards to train fowl to stand on tread-plate to access food and protect the feed from escaping; Built of High Quality Galvanized Steel to withstand extreme outdoor conditions and provide excellent rust/corrosion resistance
- CAPABILITIES - Outlet opening enables large comb roosters to access feed with ease; This Trough provides feed to approximately 6 fowl for up to 10 days; Our large box design is suitable for all Fowl and provides feed for smaller flocks of up to a dozen
- SAFETY - Do not use with young chicks as the feeder action may harm them; Chickens must weight atleast 1.8lbs to activate and operate the feeder by themselves; Anti-slip Diamond Pattern Plate protects Fowl from slipping
- PROPER USE - Always place feeder on flat ground; Do not tighten up nuts and bolts on linkages; These have been factory set to be loose and allow free movement; Keep Feeder out of Direct sunlight to prevent Fowl Injury
RentACoop Automatic Metal Treadle Feeder - Outdoor Use, Rainproof - Suitable for Chicken, Bantams, Poultry, Pheasants, etc. - 25lb Capacity
- A Long-Lasting Feeder for Your Flock: Our treadle feeder is great for bantams, hens, poultry, pheasants, etc. With its 25lb capacity, this treadle feeder can feed 6 full-grown hens for 10 days. Not suitable for chicks
- Large Capacity: Fewer fills for easy maintenance! The feeder holds 25lb of pellets, crumbles, or scratch grains. The lower-lid locks keep out raccoons, wild birds, squirrels, mice, and other pests. 15lb extensions available separately
- Clean and Cost Effective: Innovative design keeps dirt and debris OUT and feed IN. No more wasted feed on the ground; water does not pool on the step. This weatherproof feeder can be placed anywhere and is suitable for all seasons
- We Thought of Everything: Galvanized sheet metal and stainless steel screws for durability, training bolts to familiarize your flock with the feeder, lid locks to keep pests out, and an optional rain cover to keep your feed dry
- What's in the Box: 25lb Metal Feeder, 1 Treadle, 2 Blinders, 1 Rain Cover, 1 Anti-Roost Lid, and Hardware
Finally
Preventing rats does require some proactive thought, planning and consideration, but it is possible thanks to the innovations in feeders and other coop accessories.
These particular feeders are tried and trusted solutions; used by many keepers to keep rats and other rodents at bay.
But, if you are serious about keeping rats away for good, then be sure to invest the right supplies.
Rats are a serious threat to your flock, and should be considered as such. Be sure to consider the following things:
- Rats are often more active in the winter, and move during this time, when food is scarce.
- Rats can attack sleeping or sitting hens, and kill chickens
- Foxes. and other predators, eat rats and can be attracted by their presence,
- If you see a rat during the daytime, it typically means you have a problem,
- Senior rats feed at night, but if there is not enough food to go around, they may attempt to acquire food during the day,
- If you notice rats, or spot evidence of their presence (gnawing, holes, dropping), you nee to act quickly before they breed further,
- Trapping or poisoning rats takes consideration, you need to keep other animals/pets and young children safe at all times,
- Rats carry diseases that can seriously affect us humans. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly if you are bitten or touch any areas where a rat may have been,
- Wear gloves if you have to deal with dead rats,
- Seek local pest control for advice.
Looking for other products for keeping chickens? My following guides could be of help:
- Best Chicken Run Flooring
- Best Heated Waterer For Chickens
- Best Calcium Supplement For Chickens
- Best Layer Feed For Chickens
- Best Bedding For Chicken Nesting Boxes
- Best Nest Boxes For Chickens
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.