7 Best Indoor Feeders For Chicken Coops That Reduce Feed Waste
Reduce feed waste and save money with the right indoor feeder. This guide reviews 7 top designs that stop spillage, deter pests, and keep feed clean.
Watching chickens eat is a lesson in chaos. They don’t just eat; they scratch, flick, and sling feed everywhere, turning expensive pellets into soiled bedding. This isn’t just a waste of money—it’s an open invitation for rodents, wild birds, and the problems they bring. The right feeder isn’t a luxury; it’s your first line of defense against waste and pests.
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Choosing a Feeder to Reduce Spillage and Pests
Chickens are instinctual foragers. They scratch and peck, which means any open-pan or wide-trough feeder will quickly be half-empty, with the contents scattered across the coop floor. This wasted feed gets mixed with droppings and moisture, becoming useless and unsanitary.
The goal is to make it impossible for them to "rake" feed out with their beaks or feet. Look for feeders with deep basins, individual feeding ports, or designs that require them to stick their head in to eat. A cover is non-negotiable; it keeps the feed clean from dust and droppings and is the first step in deterring freeloading pests.
Grandpa’s Feeders: The Ultimate Waste-Proof Pick
Treadle feeders are the gold standard for a reason. The concept is simple: a chicken’s weight on a step plate lifts a lid, granting access to the feed. When the chicken steps off, the lid closes, sealing the feed away from rain, rodents, and wild birds. It’s a brilliant, mechanical solution to the most common coop problems.
Grandpa’s Feeders are famous in this category for their durable, galvanized steel construction and reliable mechanism. The initial cost is significant, no doubt about it. But when you calculate the cost of wasted feed and the potential vet bills or damage from a rodent infestation over several years, it quickly becomes a sound investment. Be prepared for a short training period; your flock will need a few days to figure out how it works.
RentACoop Port Feeder: Best for DIY Setups
Port feeders are one of the most effective and budget-friendly ways to stop waste. The design forces a chicken to put its head into a hooded port to access the feed. They can eat all they want, but they physically cannot flick or scratch it out of the container.
RentACoop sells excellent port kits that you can install on any food-grade bucket or tote. This makes it incredibly versatile. You can create a massive feeder from a large plastic drum for a big flock or a simple 5-gallon bucket feeder for a small one. It’s a fantastic DIY project that delivers professional results for a fraction of the cost of other waste-proof systems.
Harris Farms Hanging Feeder: Simple and Effective
The classic hanging feeder is a huge step up from any dish on the floor. By suspending the feeder so the lip is level with your chickens’ backs, you immediately eliminate most of the mess caused by scratching with their feet. It’s a simple adjustment that makes a big difference.
The Harris Farms models, whether plastic or metal, are a common sight in backyard coops. They feature a built-in "anti-scratch" ring that helps contain the feed as birds peck. While this design won’t stop a determined rat or a flock of sparrows, it dramatically reduces waste from your own birds. It’s a solid, affordable workhorse for those not ready to invest in a treadle feeder.
Miller Trough Feeder: For Chicks and Bantams
Young chicks and smaller bantam breeds can be overwhelmed by large feeders. A simple ground-level trough is often the best way to ensure they can all eat, but an open trough is an invitation for waste. They will walk in it, poop in it, and kick out every last crumble.
This is where a trough with a "reel" or wire grill top shines. The Miller-style feeder features a spinning bar (the reel) across the top. Birds can’t roost on it, which keeps the feed clean, and the narrow openings discourage vigorous scratching. It’s the perfect solution for the brooder or for a bantam-only coop, providing easy access while minimizing the inevitable mess.
Royal Rooster Feeder: A Durable Treadle Option
If you’re sold on the treadle concept, it’s worth knowing there are other players besides Grandpa’s. Royal Rooster offers a line of treadle feeders, often constructed from rust-proof aluminum, that provide the same pest-proof, weather-proof benefits. They are another excellent long-term investment.
Comparing models often comes down to small details in the design—the shape of the step plate, the mechanism’s sensitivity, or the overall profile of the feeder. Some keepers find the Royal Rooster’s vertical design fits better in tight spaces. Having options in the premium category is a good thing; it allows you to pick the one that best fits your coop’s layout and your flock’s size.
OverEZ Chicken Feeder: A Space-Saving Solution
Floor space is precious in many coops. The OverEZ feeder tackles this with a smart, gravity-fed design that mounts directly to a wall or post. It holds a significant amount of feed—often 50 pounds—which is dispensed into three covered feeding ports at the bottom.
This design is highly efficient. It keeps the feed elevated and clean, the port design prevents spillage, and its large capacity means you aren’t filling the feeder every day. For keepers who want to "set it and forget it" for a few days at a time, or for those with limited floor area, the OverEZ is a modern and practical solution.
Brower Galvanized Feeder: For Larger Flocks
When your flock grows beyond a dozen birds, many smaller feeders just can’t keep up. You need capacity and, just as importantly, enough physical space for multiple birds to eat peacefully. Constant competition at a small feeder can lead to stress and underfed birds at the bottom of the pecking order.
A large, trough-style feeder like those made by Brower is the answer. These heavy-duty galvanized steel units are built to last. They feature a hinged top for easy filling and a wire guard or anti-scratch fins to reduce waste. Holding 50 pounds of feed or more, they provide the linear eating space a larger flock needs to thrive.
Ultimately, the best feeder is the one that puts feed in your chickens, not on the coop floor. Upgrading from a simple pan or trough is one of the single best investments you can make for your flock’s health and your own sanity. It saves money, reduces chores, and quietly solves problems before they even begin.
