7 Best Rodent Proof Grain Bins For Small Chicken Coops Old Farmers Swear By
Protect your chicken feed from rodents with these 7 farmer-approved grain bins. Our list covers top picks like galvanized steel and secure locking designs.
You hear that scratching sound in the dead of night and you know exactly what it is. It’s the sound of your chicken feed budget being eaten, one pellet at a time. A single 50-pound bag of feed isn’t cheap, and losing half of it to rodents is more than just frustrating—it’s a preventable waste of money and a serious risk to your flock. Choosing the right storage bin isn’t just about convenience; it’s a critical piece of your coop management strategy.
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Why Rodent-Proof Feed Storage Is Non-Negotiable
The most obvious reason to secure your feed is the cost. A family of rats can chew through a paper or plastic feed sack in a single night, contaminating far more than they consume. That spoiled feed is a total loss.
But the real danger isn’t the lost grain; it’s the disease. Rodent droppings and urine carry salmonella, leptospirosis, and other pathogens that can devastate a small flock. Your chickens peck at feed contaminated with this waste, get sick, and suddenly you have a much bigger problem than a few missing pellets.
Think of an unsecured feed bag as a bright, flashing neon sign that says, "Free All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Here!" It doesn’t just feed the rodents that are already around; it actively draws more of them to your property. Once they’ve established your coop as a reliable food source, they’ll start looking for other things to destroy, from chewing electrical wires to nesting in your walls. Securing the feed is the first and most important step in pest control.
Behrens 10-Gallon Locking Lid Can: A Classic
There’s a reason you see these galvanized steel cans on farms everywhere. They are simple, effective, and have been for generations. The steel construction is completely chew-proof for mice, rats, and squirrels. There’s no getting through it.
The best feature is the locking handle. When you slide the handle over the top of the lid, it creates a surprisingly strong seal that is difficult for raccoons to defeat. It’s not a complex mechanism, but its elegant simplicity is what makes it so reliable. It holds about 40 pounds of feed, a perfect size for a small flock of 5-10 birds.
The main tradeoff is that the lid isn’t airtight. In a damp shed or a humid climate, you might get some moisture clumping up the feed near the top. Over many years, the galvanized coating can wear down, leading to rust. It’s a fantastic indoor or covered-patio solution, but it’s not designed to sit out in the rain.
Vittles Vault Outback: Airtight & Pest-Proof
![Gamma2 Vittles Vault Pet Food Storage Containers - Sealed Dog and Cat Food Storage Container, Fits up to 50lbs, Made in the USA - [14"L x 20"H]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41GP3rs5AzL._SL500_.jpg "7 Best Rodent Proof Grain Bins For Small Chicken Coops Old Farmers Swear By 3")
If the Behrens can is the classic pickup truck, the Vittles Vault is the modern, sealed-up SUV. Made from thick, food-grade, BPA-free plastic, its claim to fame is the gasket-sealed, screw-on lid. This design creates a truly airtight environment.
This airtight seal does two crucial things. First, it keeps the feed incredibly fresh, preserving vitamins and oils that can go stale in an open container. Second, it locks odors in, so rodents are less likely to even notice there’s food inside. The screw-on lid is also impossible for any rodent or raccoon to manipulate.
Of course, it’s still plastic. While it’s incredibly tough and I’ve never seen a mouse get through one, a highly motivated rat with enough time could theoretically chew a corner. It’s a very low risk, but it’s not zero like with steel. These are also pricier than a basic metal can, but the benefit of fresh, bone-dry feed is often worth the investment, especially in damp regions.
Little Giant 6.5-Gallon Galvanized Feed Bin
This bin is a purpose-built tool for the job. Unlike a generic can, the Little Giant has features specifically designed for storing animal feed. It’s made of heavy-duty galvanized steel, so it has that essential chew-proof quality.
Its best features are in the details. The lid is angled to shed water and debris, and a small stop-hinge keeps it open so you can scoop feed with both hands. It has two heavy-duty handles on the side, making it much easier to carry a full container than wrestling with a single bail handle.
The primary consideration here is size. At 6.5 gallons, it holds roughly 25-30 pounds of feed. This is ideal for a trio or quartet of hens, but you’ll be refilling it weekly for a flock of eight or more. The lid also relies on gravity to stay shut; it doesn’t lock. This is fine for rodents but might not be enough to stop a particularly clever raccoon.
High Country Plastics FB10: Compact & Durable
When you need something absolutely bomb-proof, you look at roto-molded plastic. The High Country FB10 is built like a high-end cooler and designed to withstand serious abuse. This is the bin you get when you have more than just mice to worry about.
Its construction is its biggest selling point. The seamless, thick-walled plastic is highly resistant to chewing and won’t crack in extreme cold or warp in the summer sun. The lid has a secure metal latch that locks down tightly, thwarting raccoons, opossums, and other clever pests with ease. It’s designed to live outdoors in any weather.
The tradeoff is obvious: cost and weight. These bins are a significant investment compared to a simple metal can. They are also heavy even when empty, so they aren’t meant to be moved around frequently. This is often overkill for a simple rodent problem, but if you live in an area with bears or persistent, destructive raccoons, it’s a purchase you only have to make once.
Tuff Stuff Utility Tub: Heavy-Duty & Secure
Sometimes the best solution is the most practical one. The Tuff Stuff brand makes incredibly durable, thick-walled utility tubs that are a fantastic, budget-friendly option for feed storage. These aren’t marketed as feed bins, but they work exceptionally well.
The key is to buy the tub and the matching heavy-duty lid. The plastic is thick enough to deter casual chewing from mice. But the real security comes from adding one more element: a strong bungee cord hooked across the handles or a heavy cinder block placed on the lid. This two-part system makes it nearly impossible for a raccoon to get the lid off.
This is a solution that requires a little extra effort. The lid on its own is not secure. But for the price, you get a large-capacity, durable container that can be made pest-proof with a simple, cheap addition. It’s a perfect example of a practical, farmer-minded fix.
Rubbermaid Brute Container: A Versatile Choice
Move and store items easily with the durable Rubbermaid Brute Tote. Its secure lid keeps contents safe, while ergonomic handles reduce strain during transport.
Everyone is familiar with the Brute. You can find them at any hardware store, they come in a dozen sizes, and they are built to last through years of being dragged and dropped. Their snap-on lids fit tightly and will keep out insects and curious mice.
For a small coop, a 10 or 20-gallon Brute stored inside a secure shed or garage is a perfectly good solution. It keeps the feed contained, dry, and away from the pests that are already outside. It’s convenient and affordable.
However, let’s be very clear: a standard plastic Brute is not rat-proof. A determined rat will chew right through the corner of the container or lid overnight. If your bin needs to be stored in the coop or run where rats might have access, this is not the right choice unless you find one of the much rarer, more expensive metal versions. It solves the problem of containment, but not the problem of a dedicated rodent.
Securing Your Bin: Tips From an Old-Timer
The best container in the world will fail if you use it poorly. Where you put your bin and how you manage it is just as important as what it’s made of. A little strategy goes a long way.
Here are a few things that make a real difference:
- Get it off the ground. Place your bin on a couple of cinder blocks. This prevents moisture from the ground from rusting a metal can or making the contents moldy. It also eliminates the ground-level corners where a rat can comfortably sit and chew for hours.
- Use weight or a strap. If your lid doesn’t have a mechanical lock, a heavy paver or a bungee cord is your best friend. Raccoons are smart and have nimble paws, but they lack brute strength. A simple weight is often enough to deter them.
- Leave an inspection gap. Never shove your feed bin tight into a corner or against a wall. Always leave a few inches of space all the way around so you can easily look for tell-tale signs of trouble, like chew marks or droppings.
Ultimately, your feed bin is just one part of your overall pest management. It’s the centerpiece, but it works best when combined with a clean coop, no spilled feed, and covered waterers. The goal is to make your entire coop area an unattractive and difficult place for pests to do business.
There is no single "best" feed bin, only the best one for your specific situation. A galvanized can is perfect for a secure shed, while a Vittles Vault excels in a damp climate. The right choice protects your investment in feed, but more importantly, it protects the health and safety of your flock, saving you money, time, and heartache down the road.
