Best rat-proof feeder?

[cmom]

I have hanging feeders and so far no issues with rats getting in them but I also don't have a rat problem. I had a coop that was infested but renovated it and put rat bait boxes in the barn behind the coops with poison baits. I check the bait boxes daily and haven't had any takers for quite awhile. Originally I was replacing the baits almost daily.

 

[Al Gerhart]

I tried hanging feeders before, you would open the coop door and see the feeder swinging back and forth without a chicken near it. Mice can jump two feet easily, rats further than that. And most poisons work a few days and then the rodents learn to leave it alone.

Monitor your feed use. A quarter pound per laying hen or meat bird is usual. So if you have ten birds, put out three pounds of feed, if there is a little left over, you do not have rodents.

 

[lioness27]

I have one from

http://ratproofchickenfeeder.com/Ratproof-Chicken-Feeders_c_1.html

Here is a picture , it is the medium size with the soft close door option . I like it , it works well . The fella that builds them and sells them is a member on this forum , Al Gerhart . There are videos on his website and on youtube showing the feeder in operation and assembly tips and training tips . He's also pretty easy to get a hold of via email .

 

[lioness27]

Does the rat proof feeder work for mice? Also, would it work for chicks?

 

[Al Gerhart]

That is an old model feeder, not sure when we sold it to you but it was built in the 2015 batch according to the logo on the sticker on the feeder. The latest versions lost the counterweight and doubled the springs, more tension on the door itself.

Curious, how many springs and wire links have you gone through since you originally purchased it?

 

[Al Gerhart]

Does the rat proof feeder work for mice? Also, would it work for chicks?

Mice, absolutely it stops them. Chicks, NO treadle feeder is safe for chicks. They will get caught inside and smothered. They can't reach the feed without climbing inside. Adult birds only, a few silkies or bantams can usually eat on the side if they get along well with the other birds.

 

[lioness27]

Thank you. That's good to know.

 

[ziliz99]

Hi @Al Gerhart at what age can chickens start using the feeder?

 

[Al Gerhart]

It is less about age than weight and reach. A ratproof feeder requires a large difference between the reach and weight of a rat and that of a chicken. One of the many Chinese made treadle feeders like the Grandpa feeder relies only on the weight difference, well, other than the ability of something to push the lid up and crawl inside which is why the reviews on Amazon state that the Grandpa feeder isn't actually rodent proof. The lid has to be super light and balanced to avoid killing too many chickens so sometimes the rodents are smart enough to get in, coupled with the need to leave the feeder propped open for weeks during training....

So, to try to answer that excellent question I have to ask you a question; how ratproof do you want the feeder to be? With the latest versions of our medium feeders the spring tension on the door is adjustable so you can balance out the treadle/spring tension on the door to where a one pound poult could use the feeder but it wouldn't be smart. Better to wait until the poults are three pounds in my opinion so they don't get stuck inside the feeder and die. Like I said, never use treadle feeders when chicks or small poults are in the same coop.

Then there is the reach. The ratproof feeder is designed for full size hens like a Rhode Island Red. It can be used with smaller/less long birds by adding a duck step. But you are eliminating the reach portion of the two reasons the feeder is rat proof. So, set the duck step as far back as it can be and still allow the small chicken to reach the feed. Move it back more if possible once the training period is over.

If you are not yet overrun with rats or wild birds like pigeons, you can likely get away with using a duck step and a light setting on the spring pressure. Just remember with the soft close the spring pressure has to be strong enough to compress the soft close cylinder and pull the treadle up and the door closed so you might have to start off with the soft close cylinder screwed up out of the way if all you have is very light hens. If you have a mixed flocks, the smaller birds will quickly learn to eat when they can.

Sorry I can't give a simple answer, there isn't one as it is more about weight and size than age. Thanks for the excellent question.

 

[ziliz99]

It is less about age than weight and reach. A ratproof feeder requires a large difference between the reach and weight of a rat and that of a chicken. One of the many Chinese made treadle feeders like the Grandpa feeder relies only on the weight difference, well, other than the ability of something to push the lid up and crawl inside which is why the reviews on Amazon state that the Grandpa feeder isn't actually rodent proof. The lid has to be super light and balanced to avoid killing too many chickens so sometimes the rodents are smart enough to get in, coupled with the need to leave the feeder propped open for weeks during training....

So, to try to answer that excellent question I have to ask you a question; how ratproof do you want the feeder to be? With the latest versions of our medium feeders the spring tension on the door is adjustable so you can balance out the treadle/spring tension on the door to where a one pound poult could use the feeder but it wouldn't be smart. Better to wait until the poults are three pounds in my opinion so they don't get stuck inside the feeder and die. Like I said, never use treadle feeders when chicks or small poults are in the same coop.

Then there is the reach. The ratproof feeder is designed for full size hens like a Rhode Island Red. It can be used with smaller/less long birds by adding a duck step. But you are eliminating the reach portion of the two reasons the feeder is rat proof. So, set the duck step as far back as it can be and still allow the small chicken to reach the feed. Move it back more if possible once the training period is over.

If you are not yet overrun with rats or wild birds like pigeons, you can likely get away with using a duck step and a light setting on the spring pressure. Just remember with the soft close the spring pressure has to be strong enough to compress the soft close cylinder and pull the treadle up and the door closed so you might have to start off with the soft close cylinder screwed up out of the way if all you have is very light hens. If you have a mixed flocks, the smaller birds will quickly learn to eat when they can.

Sorry I can't give a simple answer, there isn't one as it is more about weight and size than age. Thanks for the excellent question.

Thank you so much Al. Appreciate the response. I have pullets and no rats as of now but wanted to be prepared. Our coop is less than 30 ft from a day care dumpster so I know it will be an issue. Sadly, due to city ordenances, theres nowhere else we can position the coop. I don't have bantam therefore the feeder should be okay once they grow. I will certainly order in a few months once they get taller. Do you happen to know just how tall is the recommended without the duck step? I don't want to add anything that will make it easier for rodent given the location. Thanks again!