Feeder recommendation

[richards1052]

We have three backyard adult chickens. We also have a lot of rats in the neighborhood and enjoying the feed in the coop (plus they also feast on my compost bins).

We just put in a new floor for the coop which will make it less accessible to the rats due to burrowing from below. Now I'd like to address the feeder issue by finding one that is rat-proof but still accessible to the chickens.

Can you recommend a feeder for a small flock that does the trick?

 

[cavemanrich]

The best way to handle this is,,,,,,,,,,, feed your chickens in a bowl. Put in quantity not much more than their daily consumption. At roost time,,, remove feed and keep in a metal can. That is what I have been doing for ever. Most of the feed stealing will occur at night. Rats can come and visit during day. You need to try and eliminate the rat problem. (I know it is not an easy task)
You can make a feeder like pictured,,,, and have a plug to insert for the night.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[archeryrob]

IMO, if you have farm animals I would have a cat. We won't be without a FEMALE cat out here in the country. Have her spayed to not be littering. Haven't had a mouse in the mouse in 10 years since we decided on this.

We had rats starting because of a livestock finishing pen up the road. Our cat kills everyone that ventures our way and she doesn't bother adult chickens. Although I think she watches them like "Man, I wish I could."

Don't want a cat. Drill hole sin rat traps and put them up. Rat traps are some scary stuff. I bet they could break a finger, or at least make you think it was.

 

[coach723]

A feeder that can be covered over night, a feeder that you remove over night, or a treadle feeder (lots of choices, do a search, also can find plans). But spilled feed will still happen so getting rid of the rats is something that you will need to address. Rats can travel a far distance, they like to be under buildings and in brush and debris piles. I had a neighbor that after YEARS of neglect finally cleaned up his back yard of piles of brush and debris. Lots of screaming from the people doing the cleaning when they hit the rat nests and they scattered. Personally I like the electric traps, safe for the birds, no poison to go where you don't want it, no live rats to get rid of. There are lots of articles and video's on line that address rats in the coop, here is one:
https://backyardchickenproject.com/how-to-get-rid-of-rats-in-the-chicken-coop-the-definitive-guide/

 

[cavemanrich]

Drill hole sin rat traps and put them up.

I think you meant hole in rat trap. but can you explain the significance of hole

 

[archeryrob]

To screw it to a tree or post. We used to catch squirrels in a sub urban environment this way causing trouble to houses. It keeps the rat trap off the ground and away from other animals. Rats climb very well, hammer the bait and die. Chickens cant climb and won't bother the trap

 

[Al Gerhart]

Do a forum search for rat proof chicken feeder and you will find a review by Howard E., one of our customers from a few years back. One caveat, follow the directions to the letter, Howard warns about that, do that and you will fix that rat problem.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Do a forum search for Rat Proof Chicken feeder and you will find a review that Howard E. did a few years ago on our feeder. Pretty much the most comprehensive review ever done on our feeder, warts and all. Just one caveat and Howard warns about it, follow the instructions. The rat problem will go away once the feed is locked away from the rats and mice and wild birds.