6 Best No Waste Chicken Feeders For Small Flocks That Cut Feed Costs
Stop wasting feed and money. Our review of the 6 best no-waste feeders for small flocks helps you choose an option that cuts costs and deters pests.
You toss a scoop of feed into a standard chicken trough and watch half of it get scratched onto the ground within minutes. That spilled feed isn’t just wasted money; it’s an open invitation for rodents, disease, and mold. For a small flock, the cost of that waste adds up faster than you think, turning a simple chore into a source of frustration and expense.
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Why No-Waste Feeders Save You Money and Time
Spilled feed is the number one hidden cost of raising chickens. A flock of six birds can easily waste a cup or two of feed per day, which can amount to an entire 50-pound bag over the course of a year. That’s money you’re literally throwing on the ground for mice and sparrows to eat.
The bigger problem, however, is what that spilled feed attracts. Rodents are a serious threat, carrying diseases and parasites that can devastate a small flock. They chew through wood, contaminate water, and once they find a reliable food source, they are notoriously difficult to get rid of. A no-waste feeder closes the buffet, making your coop a far less attractive target.
Beyond the savings and security, these feeders are about efficiency. Instead of filling a small feeder every day and cleaning up soggy, soiled feed after every rainstorm, you can fill a larger, protected feeder once a week. This gives you more time to focus on other things, confident that your flock has clean, dry food available whenever they need it.
Grandpa’s Feeders: The Ultimate Rodent-Proof Pick
Treadle feeders are the gold standard for pest control. The concept is simple but effective: a chicken steps on a platform, and its weight opens the lid to the feed trough. When the chicken steps off, the lid closes, sealing the feed away from rats, mice, and wild birds.
Grandpa’s Feeders is the most well-known brand in this category for a reason. They are built from heavy-gauge galvanized steel and are designed to last for years in the elements. While the initial investment is significant, it often pays for itself within a year or two just in feed savings, especially if you have high pest pressure. It’s a true "buy it once, cry it once" piece of equipment.
The only real downside is the training period. Your flock won’t instinctively know how to use it. You’ll need to follow the instructions to prop the lid open for a few days, gradually lowering it until the chickens learn to operate it themselves. It’s a small time commitment for a huge long-term payoff in security and peace of mind.
RentACoop Port Feeder: Best DIY-Style Solution
Port feeders tackle the problem of waste created by the chickens themselves. Instead of letting birds rake and "bill out" feed from an open trough, these ports require them to stick their heads in to eat. This simple change in behavior almost completely eliminates feed being tossed onto the ground.
The beauty of the port feeder system is its flexibility. You can buy a complete feeder built into a bucket or tote, or you can purchase just the ports and a hole saw to convert your own food-grade container. This DIY approach allows you to create a feeder of any size, from a small 5-gallon bucket for a trio of bantams to a massive 55-gallon drum for a larger flock, all for a very reasonable price.
It’s important to understand what a port feeder doesn’t do. It is not inherently rodent-proof. While it stops chickens from spilling feed, a rat can easily climb into a bucket if the lid isn’t secured. For best results, pair a port feeder system with a secure, lockable container and place it inside a predator-proof coop or run. They work best with pellets and crumbles; fine mash can sometimes compact inside the ports.
Royal Rooster Feeder: Durable, Rain-Proof Design
If your primary concern is keeping feed dry, the Royal Rooster feeder is an excellent choice. These gravity-fed systems use PVC pipes with individual feeding bays, each protected by a cleverly designed rain hood. This setup keeps feed bone-dry even in a heavy downpour, preventing the mold and spoilage that plagues open feeders.
The design also minimizes waste from chicken behavior. The feeding bays are deep enough that birds can’t easily flick or scratch feed out. Because they are designed to be mounted on a wall or the side of the coop, they keep the feed up off the ground, which contributes to better coop hygiene and discourages birds from kicking bedding into their food.
Like port feeders, these are not completely rodent-proof, but their elevated position and enclosed design offer more protection than a simple trough. They are incredibly durable and will likely outlast most other plastic feeders on the market. This makes them a solid mid-range option for those who need weatherproofing above all else.
OverEZ Feeder: Top Choice for In-Coop Feeding
For those who want to maximize capacity and minimize daily chores, the OverEZ feeder is hard to beat. This large, freestanding gravity feeder is designed to hold an entire 50-pound bag of feed. It’s the perfect solution for flock owners who need to leave for a weekend or simply want to reduce their daily workload.
The feeding trough at the base is designed to prevent chickens from scratching feed out, so waste is kept to an absolute minimum. It’s intended for use inside the coop, where it’s protected from the elements and the coop itself provides the primary defense against pests. Its large footprint means it’s best suited for walk-in coops with adequate floor space.
The main tradeoff here is space for capacity. It’s not a good fit for a tiny coop where every square inch matters. But if you have the room, its ability to provide a consistent, clean food source for weeks at a time is a game-changer for flock management.
Harris Farms Hanging Feeder: A Low-Waste Classic
The classic galvanized steel hanging feeder is a staple for a reason: it’s affordable, widely available, and effective when used correctly. The key to making this a "low-waste" option is all in the height adjustment. The lip of the feeder tray should be level with the height of your chickens’ backs.
If the feeder is too low, birds will stand in it, kick bedding into it, and scratch the feed out with their feet. If it’s too high, they’ll struggle to eat. By hanging it at the proper height, you force them to stand and eat, which dramatically reduces their ability to make a mess. This one simple adjustment can cut waste by more than half.
This is a budget-friendly solution, but it requires more active management than other no-waste designs. You’ll need to adjust the height as your chickens grow, and it offers zero protection from rodents or wild birds. It’s a good starting point, but many flock owners eventually upgrade to a more secure system.
Little Giant Trough Feeder for Mash and Crumbles
While many feeders are designed for pellets, a simple trough feeder still has its place, especially for those who feed mash or fermented feed. The Little Giant trough, with its spinning or fixed wire guard, is specifically designed to handle these feed types effectively.
The wire guard running along the top is the critical feature. It prevents chickens from standing in the feed, which is the primary way they soil and waste mash. By forcing them to eat from the side, it keeps the feed clean and reduces the amount they can flick out. This design is simple, inexpensive, and very effective for its specific purpose.
This is not an all-weather, set-it-and-forget-it feeder. It must be placed inside the coop or a covered run, as it offers no protection from rain. It also has a smaller capacity and will need to be filled daily. Think of it less as a primary feeder and more as a specialized tool for serving specific types of feed cleanly.
Choosing Your Feeder: Ports vs. Treadles vs. Gravity
The best feeder for your flock depends entirely on your biggest problem. Are you fighting a constant battle with rats, or are your own chickens the messy culprits? Your answer to that question is the key to making the right choice.
- Treadle Feeders (e.g., Grandpa’s): Choose this if your primary enemy is pests. The high upfront cost is an investment in eliminating rodents from your feed supply. Nothing else provides this level of security.
- Port Feeders (e.g., RentACoop): Choose this if your primary problem is wasteful chickens and you’re on a budget. This is the most cost-effective way to stop birds from raking feed onto the ground. It’s a DIY-friendly solution that puts you in control.
- Gravity/Hanging Feeders (e.g., Royal Rooster, Harris Farms): These are all-rounders that balance cost, weather resistance, and waste reduction. They are a significant step up from an open dish but require a secure coop to provide real pest protection.
Don’t just look at the price tag of the feeder itself; consider the long-term cost of wasted feed and the potential damage from pests. A $150 treadle feeder that saves you $100 in feed per year and prevents a rodent infestation is a much better value than a $20 trough that contributes to both problems. Match the feeder to your specific challenge, and you’ll see the benefits in your wallet and in the health of your flock.
Ultimately, the right feeder transforms a daily expense into a smart, long-term investment. By keeping feed clean, dry, and in front of your chickens—and away from everything else—you’re not just cutting costs. You’re building a more resilient, efficient, and enjoyable homestead.
