Oh, don't buy treadle feeders with plastic parts, the rats chew through them. But yes, a good treadle feeder will stop the wild birds immediately. Do a forum search for rat proof feeder. Look for a narrow and distant treadle, harder for the birds to use but harder to overwhelm with numbers of vermin, spring loaded door to prevent mice and rats and yes, wild birds, from just pushing the door open. Soft close door helps with training or if the coop is close to your door but it isn't really needed other than if you have a mixed flock with bantams then it helps with safety.
