Grandpas vs RentACoop Treadle Feeder

[My Three Chicks]

A year + later, do you have a recommendation between the two?

Hi! I would recommend the Grandpa's feeder! Still using it and haven't had any rat problems with it.

I'm not using the Rent-A-Coop but I think I got a defective one since the guard that keeps the feed from being pecked out can't be removed and doesn't move up and down freely with feed level. RentACoop actually ended even sending me a patial refund due to the issue

 

[Tiny raptor]

I saw someone comment on bantam size flock not working well with these type feeders. Is there a recommendation for a flock of silkies? Thanks!

 

[Al Gerhart]

I hesitate to recommend either one due to the inherent safety problem with that overhead lid. What I can say is that the pressure needed to operate is low enough and those huge honking treadles that are so close to the feed do work better with banties. Of course that also means they are automatically far, far less rodent proof which the negative reviews point out. Not safe, but easier to use for banties.

Asking a feeder to be rodent proof without a distant and narrow treadle and a big difference in weight and reach of the two critters is asking the impossible. If you have other medium or full size hens, let the little ones eat when they can. Just get the soft close for safety, gives them a second or two to pull their neck out if another hen jumps of the treadle.