We Compared 6 Rat Proof Chicken Feeders on Whether They Close
We compared six rat proof chicken feeders on one question: does the feed opening physically close when no bird is standing there.
By Marta Voss Editor and fact checker, Chicken Geek
Fact checked by Sam Reddick
Published Prices and stock checked 7 min read
Rat proof is the most common phrase in this category and the least examined. It gets printed on feeders that seal the lid, feeders that hang off the ground, and feeders that simply hold feed in metal instead of plastic. None of those things is the test that matters.
The test is simple. Does the feed opening physically close when no bird is standing there? Rats work at night while your hens are up on the roost, so any port or trough left open after dark is a buffet with a roof on it. Hanging the feeder does not solve it either, because rats climb well and drop in from above.
Only three of these six actually close. Roamwild uses spring-loaded ports, and the Hsmanchry and the Grandpa's use a treadle lid. The other three are rain and waste feeders wearing rodent proof wording, and two of them are useful buys for other reasons. Price is no guide at all here: the $49.99 Roamwild closes and the $79.99 BASINSUK does not.
Our picks at a glance
Every product below wins one specific situation. Pick the row that matches your flock, your yard and your budget rather than reading top to bottom.
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Best Overall
Hsmanchry 40 lb
A flock of roughly 6 to 12 birds where overnight rat feeding is the actual problem and there is floor space for a full sized treadle.
Check price on Amazon for Hsmanchry 40 lb Automatic Chicken Feeder, Rat Proof Treadle No Waste on AmazonAbout $164 checked Aug 8, 2026
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Best for a Permanent Outdoor Run
Grandpa's 40 lb
A permanent outdoor run where the feeder stays in one place for years and a 23 lb galvanised body that cannot be tipped is worth more than the price difference.
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Best Closing Feeder for a Small Flock
Roamwild Rat Proof
A small flock of three to six birds where you want an opening that closes without asking the birds to learn a treadle.
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Best for the Fewest Refills
BASINSUK 55 lb
A larger flock where refill trips are the main annoyance and rats are being handled through storage, trapping and a clean floor.
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Best Capacity Under Fifty Dollars
Magicfly 40 lb Box
Someone who wants the most feed capacity possible for under fifty dollars and is handling rats through storage and site hygiene.
Check price on Amazon for Magicfly 40 lbs Chicken Feeder No Waste, Large Metal Chicken Feeder Box on AmazonAbout $49.99 checked Aug 8, 2026
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Best for Hanging Inside a Dry Coop
Abustle 25 lb Hanging
A dry coop or covered run where you want feed off the floor, out of the bedding and visible at a glance without spending much.
Check price on Amazon for 25LBS Metal Chicken Feeder Hanging, No Waste Rodent Proof on AmazonAbout $46.99 checked Aug 8, 2026
Compare every pick side by side
Swipe the table sideways to see every column on a phone.
| Product | Award | Price band | Capacity | Feed Access | Rat Proof Mechanism | Material | Weather Protection | Flock Guidance | Best use case | Buy link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hsmanchry 40 lb | Best Overall | $120 to $250 | 40 lb | Wide diamond treadle plate that opens a covered trough | Covered treadle design that closes when birds step off, listed as resistant to mice, rats and wild birds | Galvanised steel panels with a red weatherproof lid | Weatherproof lid against rain and snow | Small to medium flocks, listing mentions many 6 to 12 chicken setups | A flock of roughly 6 to 12 birds where overnight rat feeding is the actua… | Check price for Hsmanchry 40 lb Automatic Chicken Feeder, Rat Proof Treadle No Waste on Amazon |
| Grandpa's 40 lb | Best for a Permanent Outdoor Run | $250 to $500 | 40 lb | Treadle that opens the tray on demand, with side guards | Full coverage lid that shuts when birds leave the treadle | Galvanised steel | Lid rated against rain, snow and insects as well as rodents | 6 to 12 chickens for up to 10 days | A permanent outdoor run where the feeder stays in one place for years and… | Check price for Grandpas Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder - 40 lbs No Waste Poultry Feeder, Rat Proof & Rodent Proof Treadle Chicken Feeder, Galvanized Steel with Lid, Feeds 6-12 Chickens up to 10 Days on Amazon |
| Roamwild Rat Proof | Best Closing Feeder for a Small Flock | $30 to $60 | 8 lb | Individually spring-loaded feeding ports, no settings to adjust | Spring-loaded ports that hold shut, listing claims 100 percent rat proof | High-grade metal components, full body material not stated | Listing claims 100 percent weather proof | Not stated | A small flock of three to six birds where you want an opening that closes… | Check price for Roamwild Rat Proof Chicken Feeder kit - Rat Proof Poultry Feeder – Weather Proof - 8lbs Capacity - NEW PRODUCT on Amazon |
| BASINSUK 55 lb | Best for the Fewest Refills | $60 to $120 | 55 lb, listed as 10 gallons | 8 deep downward ports with an external crumb tray | Lockable conical metal lid that also stops perching, plus sealed ports | Alloy steel with a clear acrylic level window | Conical lid sheds water, sealed ports keep feed dry | Listing says medium to large flocks, no bird count given | A larger flock where refill trips are the main annoyance and rats are bei… | Check price for BASINSUK 10Gal 55lb Automatic Chicken Feeder, 8 Port No Waste Chicken Feeders Rat-Proof Large Metal Poultry Feeder with Window & Catchment Tray, Adjustable Legs Waterproof Rust-Proof for Coop Outdoors on Amazon |
| Magicfly 40 lb Box | Best Capacity Under Fifty Dollars | $30 to $60 | 40 lb, listing says it holds 40 to 50 lb | Covered bell-mouth feed ports fed by a triangular base | Metal latches and a protected top cover that the listing says helps deter rodents | Reinforced metal, gauge not stated | Protected top cover that helps keep feed dry | Up to 10 chickens for about 15 days | Someone who wants the most feed capacity possible for under fifty dollars… | Check price for Magicfly 40 lbs Chicken Feeder No Waste, Large Metal Chicken Feeder Box on Amazon |
| Abustle 25 lb Hanging | Best for Hanging Inside a Dry Coop | $30 to $60 | 25 lb in the title, though the capacity bullet says it holds up to 23 lb | Hanging or wall-mounted trough with a transparent window for checking the feed level | Sturdy locking lid plus a rain cover, and a hanging design that keeps feed off the ground, listed as rodent proof | Galvanised material with a powder-coated finish | Rain cover and locking lid, listing says it withstands harsh outdoor conditions and is rust resistant | Not stated | A dry coop or covered run where you want feed off the floor, out of the b… | Check price for 25LBS Metal Chicken Feeder Hanging, No Waste Rodent Proof on Amazon |
The full reviews
Each review below follows the same order: what it is, why it won its category, how it behaves in real use, and who should buy something else.
1 Best Overall
Hsmanchry 40 lb Automatic Chicken Feeder, Rat Proof Treadle No Waste
A closing treadle lid over a 40 lb galvanised hopper for $163.99, which is about $106 less than the Grandpa's 40 lb for the same capacity and the same closing mechanism.
What we liked
- The trough is covered and closes when the birds step off, which is the mechanism that matters overnight
- 40 lb hopper, enough for many 6 to 12 bird setups for over a week
- Galvanised steel panels with a weatherproof lid against rain and snow
- Wide diamond treadle plate gives birds a large target to stand on
- About $106 less than the Grandpa's 40 lb for the same 40 lb capacity
What we did not
- No trigger weight is stated anywhere, so light birds and young pullets may never open the lid
- The 22.4 by 20.1 in footprint plus treadle clearance is a lot of floor in a small coop
- Every treadle needs a firm level base, because bedding packing under the plate stops the lid closing flush
- Birds need one to two weeks of training with the lid propped, and some individuals never take to it
About $164 checked Aug 8, 2026
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 22.4 x 20.1 x 14.6 in (L x W x H)
- Colour
- Red
- Capacity
- 40 lb
- Feed Access
- Wide diamond treadle plate that opens a covered trough
- Rat Proof Mechanism
- Covered treadle design that closes when birds step off, listed as resistant to mice, rats and wild birds
- Material
- Galvanised steel panels with a red weatherproof lid
- Weather Protection
- Weatherproof lid against rain and snow
- Flock Guidance
- Small to medium flocks, listing mentions many 6 to 12 chicken setups
Why the Hsmanchry 40 lb wins this category
Because it is one of only three feeders here whose feed opening actually shuts, and it is the one that pairs that mechanism with useful capacity at a price that is not eye watering.
Rats feed at night. The hens are on the roost from dusk to dawn, and a covered treadle design means the trough is closed for every one of those hours. That is the difference between a rat proof feeder and a feeder with rat proof written on it.
The 40 lb hopper is the second half of the case. The Roamwild also closes, and it holds 8 lb. The Grandpa's also closes and holds 40 lb, and it costs $269.95. At $163.99 the Hsmanchry sits about $106 under the Grandpa's for the same capacity and the same basic idea.
Living with the Hsmanchry 40 lb
The treadle plate is wide and diamond shaped, which gives a hen a large obvious target. That matters more than it sounds during training, because a bird that steps on the edge of a small plate and gets no result learns that the box does nothing.
Galvanised steel panels with a red weatherproof lid means this can sit outside. The lid handles rain and snow, and the panels are the part that resists a rat gnawing at the body rather than walking in the front.
The listing points at small to medium flocks and mentions 6 to 12 chicken setups. A 40 lb fill at roughly a quarter of a pound per bird per day works out at around 13 days for a dozen birds, so the capacity is honest for that range.
Where the Hsmanchry 40 lb falls short
The missing trigger weight is the real gap. Every treadle is a weight switch, and without a published figure you cannot tell in advance whether your lightest bird can open it. If you keep bantams, silkies or birds under about 2 lb, that is a genuine risk and not a theoretical one.
Footprint is the second issue. At 22.4 by 20.1 in on the floor, plus the swing of the treadle in front, this needs a run or a large coop. In a small walk-in coop it will take a meaningful share of the floor.
The third is common to the whole mechanism. Bedding packs under the treadle plate until it cannot travel its full distance, and a lid that rests slightly open at night is a lid that is doing nothing. Stand it on a paver or a board and check the close every few weeks.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published closing mechanism, capacity, dimensions, panel material and weather sealing, and compared against the other five feeders on whether the feed opening closes at all.
- Best for
- A flock of roughly 6 to 12 birds where overnight rat feeding is the actual problem and there is floor space for a full sized treadle.
- Skip it if
- You keep bantams or young pullets, because no trigger weight is published and a plate too stiff for them means birds that cannot reach feed.
- The limitation to plan around
- The unstated trigger weight is the thing to plan around. Prop the lid open for the first fortnight and watch which birds can hold it down before you rely on it.
2 Best for a Permanent Outdoor Run
Grandpas Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder - 40 lbs No Waste Poultry Feeder, Rat Proof & Rodent Proof Treadle Chicken Feeder, Galvanized Steel with Lid, Feeds 6-12 Chickens up to 10 Days
A closing treadle with a full coverage lid and 40 lb of galvanised capacity, sized honestly at 6 to 12 birds for up to 10 days, and the most expensive feeder on this page at $269.95.
What we liked
- The lid shuts when birds leave the treadle, so the trough is closed all night
- Full coverage lid rated against rain, snow, insects, wild birds and rodents
- 40 lb hopper with a stated 6 to 12 chickens for up to 10 days
- Side guards on the tray cut the sideways flick that scatters feed onto the floor
- Heavy at 23 lb empty, so a full feeder does not get shoved around the run
What we did not
- No trigger weight is published, so there is no way to know in advance if your lightest birds can open it
- At $269.95 for 40 lb it works out at about $6.75 for every pound held, against about $4.10 on the Hsmanchry 40 lb
- The 23 lb empty weight makes it awkward to bring indoors at night or move for cleaning
- The treadle plate still needs a hard level base, because litter under the plate stops the lid seating shut
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 22 x 18 x 16 in (L x W x H)
- Weight
- 23 pounds
- Colour
- Silver
- Capacity
- 40 lb
- Feed Access
- Treadle that opens the tray on demand, with side guards
- Rat Proof Mechanism
- Full coverage lid that shuts when birds leave the treadle
- Material
- Galvanised steel
- Weather Protection
- Lid rated against rain, snow and insects as well as rodents
- Flock Guidance
- 6 to 12 chickens for up to 10 days
Why the Grandpa's 40 lb suits a fixed run
This is the feeder built to be installed rather than owned. At 23 lb empty and 22 by 18 by 16 in, it is a heavy object that stays where you put it, and that is the point in a run where the feeder lives outside through every season.
It closes, which is the test this category should be judged on. When the birds step off the treadle the lid comes down over the tray, so from dusk to dawn there is no opening to feed from. The lid is described as full coverage and rated against rain, snow and insects as well as rodents, which reflects the everyday reality that wild birds and wet weather cost most keepers more feed than rats do.
Capacity is stated with a bird count attached, 6 to 12 chickens for up to 10 days, and that arithmetic holds up against normal intake.
Living with the Grandpa's 40 lb
Galvanised steel and a simple mechanism means maintenance is a hose, a brush and an occasional look at the linkage. There is nothing on it to perish in sunlight and nothing to go brittle in frost.
The side guards on the tray are the everyday saving. A hen standing side-on to an open tray hooks feed out and scatters it, and that scattered feed is what draws rats to the ground under the feeder no matter how well the lid seals. Blocking the sideways reach cuts the spill at source.
The weight also earns its keep. A feeder a hen cannot rock is a feeder that does not tip, and a tipped feeder is a night of free food for everything in the neighbourhood.
Where the Grandpa's 40 lb falls short
The price is the obvious problem. At $269.95 this is the most expensive feeder on the page and works out at about $6.75 for every pound of capacity, while the Hsmanchry 40 lb delivers the same 40 lb and the same closing treadle for $163.99, or about $4.10 a pound held. The extra $106 buys a heavier body, 23 lb against a lid and panels the Hsmanchry does not put a weight on, and whether that is worth it is a judgement rather than a fact.
The trigger weight is not published, which is the same gap the Hsmanchry has and is harder to excuse at this money. If your flock includes bantams or growing pullets, you are buying without knowing whether they can work it.
The 23 lb empty weight cuts both ways. It stops the feeder moving, and it also stops you moving it, so bringing it under cover for a hard freeze or lifting it for a proper scrub is a two-handed job.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published closing mechanism, lid coverage, capacity, stated flock guidance and body weight, and compared directly with the Hsmanchry 40 lb on price for identical capacity.
- Best for
- A permanent outdoor run where the feeder stays in one place for years and a 23 lb galvanised body that cannot be tipped is worth more than the price difference.
- Skip it if
- You are weighing cost against capacity, since the Hsmanchry 40 lb offers the same closing mechanism and the same 40 lb for about $106 less.
- The limitation to plan around
- The weight is the thing to plan around. At 23 lb empty this is a fixture, not something you carry into a shed each evening, so it needs a spot chosen properly the first time.
3 Best Closing Feeder for a Small Flock
Roamwild Rat Proof Chicken Feeder kit - Rat Proof Poultry Feeder – Weather Proof - 8lbs Capacity - NEW PRODUCT
Individually spring-loaded ports mean the openings hold shut on their own, which makes this the cheapest genuinely closing feeder here at $49.99, though 8 lb is the smallest hopper on the page.
What we liked
- Spring-loaded ports hold shut when no bird is pushing through, so nothing is left open at night
- The cheapest closing feeder in this guide at $49.99
- No settings to adjust and no trigger weight to get wrong, unlike a treadle
- At 2.2 lb it is light enough to lift indoors each evening if you want the belt and braces approach
- Compact at about 15.7 by 8.3 in, so it fits a small coop where a treadle will not
What we did not
- Eight pounds is the smallest capacity here, so a flock of six needs refilling roughly every five days
- The 100 percent rat proof and 100 percent weather proof claims come with no test or standard cited anywhere
- Full body material is not stated, only high-grade metal components, so there is no gauge to judge chew resistance by
- No flock guidance is given at all, so the 8 lb has to be sized against your own birds with no maker figure to check against
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 15.74803148 x 8.267716527 x 8.267716527 in (L x W x H)
- Weight
- 2.20462262 pounds
- Colour
- Red, White, Silver,
- Capacity
- 8 lb
- Feed Access
- Individually spring-loaded feeding ports, no settings to adjust
- Rat Proof Mechanism
- Spring-loaded ports that hold shut, listing claims 100 percent rat proof
- Material
- High-grade metal components, full body material not stated
- Weather Protection
- Listing claims 100 percent weather proof
- Flock Guidance
- Not stated
- Listing Note
- The 100 percent rat proof wording is the maker's claim, no test or standard is cited
Why the Roamwild Rat Proof works for a small flock
Spring ports take a different route to the same result as a treadle. Rather than weighing the bird, each port is held shut by its own spring, and a hen pushes through to reach the feed. Step away and it closes again.
The practical advantage is that there is no weight to get wrong. A treadle can be too stiff for a bantam or too soft to matter, and three feeders in this guide never publish the figure at all. A spring port sidesteps the question, and the listing says there are no settings to adjust.
At $49.99 it is the cheapest feeder here whose openings close on their own. The other two closing feeders are $163.99 and $269.95, so if the budget is the constraint, this is the route into the category.
Living with the Roamwild Rat Proof
It is small and light. About 15.7 by 8.3 by 8.3 in and around 2.2 lb empty means you can carry it with one hand, which opens up the oldest rat control there is: bring the feeder inside at dusk and put it back at first light. Hens do not eat in the dark, so nothing is lost.
Eight pounds is the working limit. At roughly a quarter of a pound a day for a standard laying hen, that is about five days for six birds or about a week for four. For a small backyard flock that is a Sunday job rather than a chore.
The ports themselves are individually sprung, which matters if one gets fouled or jammed. The rest keep working while you clean the one.
Where the Roamwild Rat Proof falls short
The claims are the weak part. One hundred percent rat proof and one hundred percent weather proof are absolute statements with no test, no standard and no independent figure behind them. Treat both as marketing language. A sprung flap is a real barrier and it is not a hundred percent of anything.
The material description is similarly thin. High-grade metal components tells you some parts are metal. There is no body material and no gauge, so there is no way to judge how the housing itself would hold up against sustained gnawing.
Capacity is the everyday limit. Eight pounds is the smallest hopper on this page by a wide margin, and it works out at about $6.25 for every pound held, which is dear on that measure even though the sticker price is low. For a flock of ten this is not the right feeder.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published spring port mechanism, the 8 lb capacity, the stated dimensions and weight, and on how the maker's rat proof claim is worded against what is actually evidenced.
- Best for
- A small flock of three to six birds where you want an opening that closes without asking the birds to learn a treadle.
- Skip it if
- You keep more than about six birds, because an 8 lb hopper turns rat proofing into a refill chore every few days.
- The limitation to plan around
- Capacity is the thing to plan around. Eight pounds is roughly five days for six standard hens, so this is a feeder you top up rather than one you fill and forget.
4 Best for the Fewest Refills
BASINSUK 10Gal 55lb Automatic Chicken Feeder, 8 Port No Waste Chicken Feeders Rat-Proof Large Metal Poultry Feeder with Window & Catchment Tray, Adjustable Legs Waterproof Rust-Proof for Coop Outdoors
Fifty five pounds behind eight deep ports and a lockable conical lid, which is the longest run between refills here, but the ports never close so this is a spill and weather feeder rather than a closing one.
What we liked
- 55 lb, listed as 10 gallons, the largest capacity in this guide
- Eight deep downward ports let several birds feed at once without crowding
- Clear acrylic level window means you can check feed without opening the lid
- Lockable conical lid sheds water and stops birds perching on top
- External crumb tray catches the spill that would otherwise sit on the ground
What we did not
- The eight ports never close, so feed is reachable all night and the rat proof wording covers the lid rather than the openings
- Fifty five pounds can take weeks for a small flock to eat, and feed sitting that long picks up moisture and cakes
- The leg adjustment is printed as 15 to 27 mm, about half an inch to an inch, which is far too small to be a real height range
- Flock guidance is given only as medium to large with no bird count, so the capacity cannot be matched to your flock from the listing
Key specifications
- Capacity
- 55 lb, listed as 10 gallons
- Feed Access
- 8 deep downward ports with an external crumb tray
- Rat Proof Mechanism
- Lockable conical metal lid that also stops perching, plus sealed ports
- Material
- Alloy steel with a clear acrylic level window
- Weather Protection
- Conical lid sheds water, sealed ports keep feed dry
- Flock Guidance
- Listing says medium to large flocks, no bird count given
- Listing Note
- Leg adjustment is printed as 15 to 27 mm, which is too small to be a real height range
Why the BASINSUK 55 lb wins on refills
Fifty five pounds is the largest hopper on this page, and refill frequency is a real cost that spec sheets never price. A dozen birds eating roughly a quarter of a pound each per day take about 18 days to empty this, so for many flocks it is a monthly job rather than a weekly one.
Eight ports is the other half of the practical case. Feeding space decides who eats in a flock, and eight openings means the birds at the bottom of the pecking order are not standing around waiting for a single trough to clear.
The acrylic level window is a small feature that changes the routine. You can see how much feed is left from across the run without lifting a lid, which is the difference between checking it daily and checking it when you remember.
Living with the BASINSUK 55 lb
The conical lid does two jobs. It sheds water so rain runs off rather than sitting on top, and its shape stops birds perching, which keeps droppings off the feeder. It locks, so wind and inquisitive animals do not get it open.
The external crumb tray catches feed the birds nudge out of the ports. That is worth more than it looks in a rat context, because loose feed on the ground is the food source that keeps a rat population going regardless of what your feeder does at night.
The body is alloy steel with a rust-resistant finish, and the deep downward ports are the standard design for cutting spill, since a bird has to reach in and down rather than flicking sideways at an open trough.
Where the BASINSUK 55 lb falls short
The ports do not close, and that is the whole rat question. The lockable lid and the sealed port wording describe the top of the feeder and the weather sealing, not the openings a bird eats through. A rat can walk up to the same port a hen uses at midnight and help itself. Deep ports slow that down. They do not stop it.
The leg adjustment figure is the kind of detail that undermines confidence in the rest. Fifteen to 27 mm is roughly half an inch to an inch, which cannot be a meaningful height range for a feeder of this size, so either the units are wrong or the number is.
Capacity has a downside too. A small flock will take weeks to work through 55 lb, and feed sitting in a hopper that long absorbs humidity, bridges in the throat and stops flowing. Fill it part way if you keep fewer than about eight birds.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published capacity, port count and design, lid and material description, and on whether the openings physically close, which they do not.
- Best for
- A larger flock where refill trips are the main annoyance and rats are being handled through storage, trapping and a clean floor.
- Skip it if
- Overnight rat feeding is the specific problem you are solving, because eight permanently open ports is exactly the thing that keeps a rat population fed.
- The limitation to plan around
- The open ports are the thing to plan around. Treat this as a capacity and waste feeder, and either bring it under cover at night or handle rats separately.
5 Best Capacity Under Fifty Dollars
Magicfly 40 lbs Chicken Feeder No Waste, Large Metal Chicken Feeder Box
Forty pounds of capacity for $49.99 works out at about $1.25 for every pound held, the lowest cost per pound on this page, so long as you understand the bell-mouth ports do not close at night.
What we liked
- 40 lb held for $49.99, about $1.25 for every pound of capacity, the lowest cost per pound in this guide
- Covered bell-mouth ports keep the feed itself shaded from rain even without a full lid over the trough
- Triangular base feeds the ports by gravity so feed keeps arriving as birds empty them
- Reinforced metal body rather than plastic, which rules out chewing straight through the walls
- Stated at up to 10 chickens for about 15 days, a genuinely long run between refills
What we did not
- The bell-mouth ports stay open, so the rodent deterrence claim rests on latches and a top cover rather than on the feed opening
- Two different sizes are printed for the same feeder, 13 by 7 by 17 in in the specs and 15.9 by 12 by 14.8 in in the bullets
- The metal gauge is never stated, so reinforced metal is a description rather than a specification you can compare
- A 40 lb hopper on a narrow base is top heavy when full, and a knocked over feeder empties onto the ground
About $49.99 checked Aug 8, 2026
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 13 x 7 x 17 in (L x W x H)
- Colour
- Silver
- Capacity
- 40 lb, listing says it holds 40 to 50 lb
- Feed Access
- Covered bell-mouth feed ports fed by a triangular base
- Rat Proof Mechanism
- Metal latches and a protected top cover that the listing says helps deter rodents
- Material
- Reinforced metal, gauge not stated
- Weather Protection
- Protected top cover that helps keep feed dry
- Flock Guidance
- Up to 10 chickens for about 15 days
- Listing Note
- Two sizes are quoted for the same feeder, 13 x 7 x 17 in in the specs and 15.9 x 12 x 14.8 in in the bullets
Why the Magicfly 40 lb Box wins on capacity per dollar
Divide the price by the pounds held and this is the clear leader on the page. Forty pounds for $49.99 is about $1.25 for every pound of capacity. The BASINSUK 55 lb is about $1.45, the Abustle 25 lb Hanging about $1.88, and the two closing treadle feeders are $4.10 and $6.75.
The listing puts a bird count behind that capacity too, up to 10 chickens for about 15 days, and the arithmetic is reasonable. Ten hens at roughly a quarter of a pound each is 2.5 lb a day, which gives 16 days from a 40 lb fill.
For someone with a decent flock and a hard limit of fifty dollars, that combination is difficult to beat. It is metal rather than plastic, it holds a fortnight of feed, and it is the same price as the 8 lb Roamwild.
Living with the Magicfly 40 lb Box
The design is a triangular base under a box hopper, feeding covered bell-mouth ports. Gravity does the work, so feed keeps arriving at the ports as the birds empty them and there is nothing to jam beyond the usual damp feed bridging.
The bell mouths are shaped covers rather than open holes. That is a real waste saving, since a bird reaching into a hooded port cannot flick feed sideways in the way it can at an open trough, and it keeps rain off the feed sitting in the port.
The protected top cover with metal latches keeps the hopper dry and stops the lid being nosed open. That is what the listing means by helping to deter rodents, and it is fair as far as it goes.
Where the Magicfly 40 lb Box falls short
The ports never close. That is the honest limit and it is why this sits mid-table on a page about rat proofing rather than near the top. The latches and top cover protect the hopper, and the opening a hen eats from is the same opening available to a rat at two in the morning.
The listing contradicts itself on size, giving 13 by 7 by 17 in in the specification block and 15.9 by 12 by 14.8 in in the bullets. Those are different objects. If floor space is tight, plan against the larger set of numbers and check the box when it arrives.
Reinforced metal with no gauge is the third gap. Thickness is what decides whether a determined rodent makes progress on a corner over months, and there is no figure here to compare against anything.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published capacity, port design, stated flock guidance and material description, and on whether the feed openings close, which they do not.
- Best for
- Someone who wants the most feed capacity possible for under fifty dollars and is handling rats through storage and site hygiene.
- Skip it if
- You bought a rat proof feeder specifically to stop night feeding, since the ports on this one are open around the clock.
- The limitation to plan around
- The open ports are the thing to plan around. This is a capacity and weather feeder, so pair it with a metal feed bin and a swept surface underneath if rats are about.
6 Best for Hanging Inside a Dry Coop
25LBS Metal Chicken Feeder Hanging, No Waste Rodent Proof
A hanging or wall-mounted galvanised trough with a locking lid and a level window, cheapest on this page at $46.99, and the rodent proof wording covers the lid rather than the trough the birds eat from.
What we liked
- The cheapest feeder in this guide at $46.99
- Hangs or wall mounts, which keeps feed off damp ground and out of the bedding
- Transparent window shows the feed level without opening anything
- Powder-coated galvanised body resists rust in a humid coop
- Locking lid plus a rain cover keeps rain and wild birds out of the hopper
What we did not
- The trough stays open, and hanging does not keep rats out because they climb down chains and coop walls without difficulty
- The title says 25 lb while the first bullet says up to 23 lb, so the usable capacity is unclear before you buy
- No flock guidance is given at all, so there is no maker figure to check your own feed arithmetic against
- At 6.5 in wide the trough gives limited feeding space, so a larger flock will queue and the lowest ranked birds eat last
About $46.99 checked Aug 8, 2026
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 15.43 x 6.5 x 12.6 in (L x W x H)
- Colour
- Green
- Capacity
- 25 lb in the title, though the capacity bullet says it holds up to 23 lb
- Feed Access
- Hanging or wall-mounted trough with a transparent window for checking the feed level
- Rat Proof Mechanism
- Sturdy locking lid plus a rain cover, and a hanging design that keeps feed off the ground, listed as rodent proof
- Material
- Galvanised material with a powder-coated finish
- Weather Protection
- Rain cover and locking lid, listing says it withstands harsh outdoor conditions and is rust resistant
- Flock Guidance
- Not stated
- Listing Note
- Title says 25 lb but the first bullet says 23 lb, and the rodent-proof wording covers the lid, not the open trough
Why the Abustle 25 lb Hanging earns a slot
Not for rat proofing, and it is better to say that at the start. It earns its place because it is the cheapest feeder here at $46.99 and it solves the two problems most keepers actually have every day: feed getting damp on the ground, and feed getting scratched into the bedding.
Hanging or wall mounting lifts the trough clear of the litter. That alone cuts waste noticeably, because a hen cannot rake bedding into a feeder she has to stretch up to. It also stops the feed sitting on cold damp ground where it cakes.
The transparent level window is a genuinely good feature at this price. Checking feed becomes a glance rather than a job, which in practice means it gets checked.
Living with the Abustle 25 lb Hanging
The body is galvanised with a powder-coated finish, which is the right combination in a humid coop where a bare cut edge would start to bloom with rust inside a season.
The locking lid and rain cover mean the hopper stays dry and wild birds cannot get into the stored feed from above. In a covered run that is most of the weather protection anyone needs.
At 15.43 by 6.5 by 12.6 in it is a slim unit that sits flat against a coop wall. That shape is what makes it practical in a small coop, and it is also what limits how many birds can use it at once.
Where the Abustle 25 lb Hanging falls short
The rodent proof claim does not survive the obvious question. The lid locks and the feeder hangs, and the trough the birds eat from is open the whole time. Rats are strong climbers, and a chain, a beam or a coop wall is an easy route down into an open trough. Height is not a barrier to anything that climbs.
The capacity is printed twice and does not agree with itself. The title says 25 lb and the first bullet says up to 23 lb. That is a small difference in feed and a larger one in confidence, and it means your own arithmetic should use 23 lb.
The missing flock guidance compounds it. With no bird count and two capacity figures, sizing this feeder to your flock is entirely guesswork from the listing, so work from about a quarter of a pound per hen per day instead.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published capacity figures, mounting options, lid and cover description and body material, and on whether the feed opening closes, which it does not.
- Best for
- A dry coop or covered run where you want feed off the floor, out of the bedding and visible at a glance without spending much.
- Skip it if
- Rats are the reason you are shopping, because an open trough hung from a chain is a feeding station a rat can reach easily.
- The limitation to plan around
- The open trough is the thing to plan around. Hang it, use it for waste and damp control, and solve rats with sealed feed storage and a nightly lift down.
How we compared these rat proof feeders
Everything started with one question. Does the feed opening physically close when no bird is standing there?
That question sorts this page into two groups before any other specification is considered. Three feeders close: the Hsmanchry 40 lb and the Grandpa's 40 lb through a treadle lid, and the Roamwild through individually spring-loaded ports. Three do not: the BASINSUK 55 lb, the Magicfly 40 lb Box and the Abustle 25 lb Hanging, all of which use the phrase rodent proof or rat proof about a lid, a latch or a hanging position rather than about the opening a bird eats through.
The three that stay open are not bad feeders. Two of them are the best capacity buys here. They are just answering a different question, and the listings do not make that clear.
After the closing test, feeders were compared on capacity against price, on material where a gauge is given, on weather sealing, on the flock guidance the maker prints, and on whether the listing's own numbers agree with each other. Nothing here was handled in a coop. This is published specification, listing wording and known failure modes.
What actually matters in a rat proof feeder
Closing is the only mechanism that works overnight
Rats feed at night. Your hens go up to roost at dusk and come down at first light, so there are ten to fourteen hours every day when the feeder is unattended and full.
Anything open during those hours is being eaten from. It does not matter whether the body is galvanised steel or how well the lid seals against rain, because the rat is not chewing in, it is walking to the same opening your hens use.
A treadle answers this with weight. No bird on the plate means the lid drops. Spring-loaded ports answer it with tension, holding a flap shut until a hen pushes through. Both leave a small gap for a determined animal, and both are enormously better than a trough that never shuts.
Price does not track rat resistance
The cheapest closing feeder here is the Roamwild at $49.99, and it holds 8 lb. The most expensive feeder on the page is the Grandpa's 40 lb at $269.95, and it closes too. In between, the BASINSUK 55 lb costs $79.99 and never shuts.
So the money is not buying the mechanism, it is buying capacity and materials. The Hsmanchry 40 lb at $163.99 is the useful point on that curve, because it pairs a closing treadle with a 40 lb hopper for about $106 less than the Grandpa's 40 lb.
If your budget is tight, the honest advice is that a $49.99 closing feeder plus a metal feed bin beats a $79.99 open port feeder plus a paper sack in the shed.
Read the listing against itself
This category has more internal contradictions than most, and they are a useful signal.
The Abustle 25 lb Hanging says 25 lb in the title and up to 23 lb in its own first bullet. The Magicfly 40 lb Box gives 13 by 7 by 17 in in the specification block and 15.9 by 12 by 14.8 in in the bullets. The BASINSUK 55 lb states a leg adjustment of 15 to 27 mm, which is about half an inch to an inch and is far too small to be a real height range. The Roamwild claims 100 percent rat proof and 100 percent weather proof with no test and no standard cited.
None of these makes a feeder unusable. All of them are reasons to trust your own measurements over the printed ones.
Capacity is where the cheap feeders earn their place
Divide price by pounds held and the ranking changes completely. The Magicfly 40 lb Box holds 40 lb for $49.99, about $1.25 for every pound of capacity, the lowest figure on this page. The BASINSUK 55 lb is about $1.45. The Abustle 25 lb Hanging is about $1.88.
At the other end, the Grandpa's 40 lb is about $6.75 a pound held and the Roamwild is about $6.25 for its 8 lb.
That is the trade in plain terms. Closing costs money, and volume is cheap.
Building a rat plan around the feeder
Start with storage, because it is the cheapest fix and the one people skip. A sack of layer pellets in a shed is a better meal than anything in the run. Tip it into a metal bin with a fitted lid and you have removed the largest food source on the property in one afternoon.
Then deal with the floor under the feeder. Every feeder spills, and spilled feed is available all night regardless of what the lid does. A catchment tray, a paving slab or a swept board turns that into something you can brush up in ten seconds each evening.
Then stop feeding treats on the ground late in the day. Scratch thrown at four in the afternoon is still lying there at midnight.
Only then does the feeder mechanism start doing useful work. A closing feeder is the last twenty percent of the job, and it is the part that keeps working on the evenings you are not there.
Final recommendation
The Hsmanchry 40 lb is the pick. It is a closing treadle feeder with a 40 lb hopper, galvanised panels and a weatherproof lid at $163.99, which is about $106 less than the Grandpa's 40 lb for the same capacity and the same closing mechanism.
If the feeder is going into a permanent outdoor run, the Grandpa's 40 lb closes the same way and weighs 23 lb empty, so it stays where you put it and does not get tipped. If you keep a small flock and want a closing feeder without spending much, the Roamwild Rat Proof is $49.99 and its spring ports shut on their own, though 8 lb means frequent refills. And if capacity per dollar is what you are after and you are willing to handle rats another way, the Magicfly 40 lb Box holds 40 lb for $49.99.
Questions people ask before buying
Does a rat proof feeder actually stop rats?
A closing feeder stops rats eating from the feeder, which is not the same as stopping rats. They also come for feed spilled underneath, for the open sack in the shed, for scratch thrown on the ground and for anything raked into the bedding during the day. A treadle or spring port removes the largest single food source and does nothing about the rest. Expect a big reduction, not an empty yard, and deal with storage and spill at the same time.
Will hanging the feeder keep rats out of it?
No, and this is the most common mistake in the category. Rats are good climbers and will come down a chain, along a beam or across a coop wall and drop straight into an open trough. Height stops nothing that can climb. What hanging does help with is keeping feed off damp ground and cutting the amount your hens scratch out, which are real benefits worth paying for, just not rodent proofing.
Are port feeders rat proof if the ports are deep?
Deep downward ports slow a rat down and they do reduce spill, which matters because spill is what feeds rats on the floor. They do not close, though, so a determined rat can still reach feed at night. The BASINSUK 55 lb has eight of them and the Magicfly 40 lb uses covered bell mouths, and both are useful feeders for capacity and waste. Neither belongs in the same category as a mechanism that physically shuts.
Why does the same listing quote two different sizes?
It happens more than it should in this category, and it is worth checking before you order. The Magicfly 40 lb prints 13 by 7 by 17 in in its specification block and 15.9 by 12 by 14.8 in in its bullets, and the Abustle 25 lb Hanging says 25 lb in the title and up to 23 lb in the first bullet. Measure your space against the larger figure and plan feed against the smaller one, and treat the inconsistency as a sign to check the rest of the listing carefully.
Should I empty the feeder at night?
Taking the feeder in at dusk is the oldest rat control in poultry keeping and it still works better than most hardware. If you can lift it, put it in a sealed metal bin overnight and bring it back at first light. Hens do not eat in the dark, so they lose nothing. The reason to buy a closing feeder is that it does the same job on the nights you forget, and on the ones where you are not home to do it.
What matters as much as the feeder itself?
Feed storage and the ground under the feeder. A paper sack in a shed is an open invitation, so move the feed into a metal bin with a fitted lid. A catchment tray or a hard swept surface under the feeder means the daily spill can be brushed up rather than left as a nightly meal. Doing both alongside a closing feeder gets you further than buying the most expensive feeder on this page and changing nothing else.
Why you can trust this guide
- Written by
- Marta Voss, Editor and fact checker, Chicken Geek. Specialist areas: Editorial fact checking, Chick brooding and starter nutrition, Small-flock husbandry, Feed labels and nutrition claims.
- Fact checked by
- Sam Reddick
- Published
- August 8, 2026 · Last updated August 8, 2026 · Products and links rechecked August 8, 2026
- How we picked
- The first filter was whether the feed opening closes when no bird is on it, since that is the only mechanism that stops overnight feeding. After that, feeders were compared on capacity against price, on material and gauge where stated, on weather sealing, on the flock size the maker claims, and on how well the listing's own numbers agree with each other.
- Evidence used
- None of the 6 products on this page were sent to us or bought for a hands-on test. Every recommendation here is research based: manufacturer specifications, listed dimensions and materials, owner feedback at volume, and comparison against equipment our team has owned. Each review states this again above the buy button so you are never guessing which kind of evidence sits behind a pick.
- Editorial standards
- No brand pays for placement, and no manufacturer sees this page before it goes live. Read our editorial policy and testing method.
- Affiliate disclosure
- Chicken Geek is reader supported. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you, and no brand has paid for a placement or an award here.
About the author
Editor and fact checker, Chicken Geek
Marta edits every guide on Chicken Geek and checks that each claim can be traced back to a manufacturer specification, a published standard or a stated first-hand observation. She keeps a small backyard flock of six hens and has raised chicks from day one for eight seasons.
- Eight seasons raising chicks from day-old to point of lay
- Checks every specification in a Chicken Geek guide against the manufacturer listing
- Removes any testing claim that cannot be backed up
- Keeps a flock of six hens in a suburban backyard
