Best Treadle Feeder

[Shepshill]

Hi,
I am looking for recommendation for the best treadle feeder. Looking for a chicken feeder that is as rodent proof as possible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Criticalicious]

ratproof feeders. They are pricey but well worth it. Buy more than one at a time to save on shipping.

 

[Shepshill]

ratproof feeders. They are pricey but well worth it. Buy more than one at a time to save on shipping.

Thanks.

 

[Abby1116]

Brand Or model suggestions?

 

[Abby1116]

Oh that was the brand name?! Did not realize that was a brand.

 

[Al Gerhart]

There is only one rat proof feeder. A lot of companies on Amazon are using the words in the description for their plastic feeders. But for a feeder to be truly rat proof you need three things, a narrow and distant treadle, a spring loaded door to prevent rats from pushing the door open or lifting the door if it is a guillotine style feeder, and you need a heavy counterweight to provide additional mass to prevent the door from being pushed open.

 

[Abby1116]

There is only one rat proof feeder. A lot of companies on Amazon are using the words in the description for their plastic feeders. But for a feeder to be truly rat proof you need three things, a narrow and distant treadle, a spring loaded door to prevent rats from pushing the door open or lifting the door if it is a guillotine style feeder, and you need a heavy counterweight to provide additional mass to prevent the door from being pushed open.

How does this work for bantams? We have two.

 

[Al Gerhart]

We have a bantam step, actually we call it a Duck step, that extends the platform if you have only bantams. If you have other birds just let them learn to eat when other birds use the feeder but get the medium so it is wide enough of an opening.

And you have to spend some time tinkering with the balance for bantams if it is a bantam only flock. Either stretch the srping out a bit, drill a series of holes in the side of the feeder so you can move the spring back and forth to adjust the spring tension. Or replace the spring with rubber bands and adjust the amount. You can drill extra holes in the treadle bar with a 1/4" drill bit and move the counterweight forward to make the balance lighter or tape weights under or on top of the treadle.

Just remember that you are partially negating what makes the feeder rat proof, the difference in weight and reach between a rat and a chicken.

 

[Chicklady707]

There is only one rat proof feeder. A lot of companies on Amazon are using the words in the description for their plastic feeders. But for a feeder to be truly rat proof you need three things, a narrow and distant treadle, a spring loaded door to prevent rats from pushing the door open or lifting the door if it is a guillotine style feeder, and you need a heavy counterweight to provide additional mass to prevent the door from being pushed open.

At what age do you feel chicks/chickens could learn how to use a treadle feeder? I will be getting my first flock ever so there will not be any older (heavier) birds in the flock.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Depends on the bird. A meat bird grows fast and heavy in six weeks. Other breeds grow slower.

You can tinker with the balance so that even a one pound bird can use the feeder and adding a duck step allows the smaller birds to reach the feeder, start with it close to the feed, back it off a bit every couple of weeks.

And again, the more difference between the reach and weight between a rat and a chicken the more rat proof the feeder will be. The good news is that rats and mice might take a while to find your coop so feeding chicks or small pullets with other feeders can be done short term. And there are those lucky few that never have a rodent or wild bird problem.