We Compared 6 Treadle Chicken Feeders on Trigger Weight
We compared six treadle chicken feeders on the one number that decides whether rats get in and bantams get fed: the treadle trigger weight.
By Sam Reddick Lead gear reviewer, Chicken Geek
Fact checked by Marta Voss
Published Prices and stock checked 7 min read
A treadle feeder has one job. It opens for your birds and stays shut for everything else. The number that decides whether it does that job is the treadle trigger weight, and most listings never print it.
Here is why that number matters more than capacity, material or the word rat proof in the title. A Norway rat runs roughly 7 to 18 oz, so a plate that opens at 400 g sits inside a big rat's reach. Push the other way and a plate stiff enough to keep a rat out will also lock out bantams and growing pullets under 2 lb. The useful window is narrow, and you cannot judge it from a photograph or a five star average.
Only three of these six publish a figure at all. XINYI opens at 400 g, VEVOR at 450 g, and PAULOZYN wants a bird over 1.1 lb. The three that stay silent include the two most expensive feeders on this page, both at $219.95, which is worth saying plainly at that money. Rat proof appears in nearly every title here and not one listing cites a test behind it.
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.
-
Best Overall
VEVOR 25 lb
A mixed backyard flock of 10 to 12 birds where some are lighter than others and you want to see the numbers before you buy.
-
Best Wide Trough for Several Hens at Once
PAULOZYN 15 lb
A flock of standard sized hens that all want to eat at once, where queueing at a narrow trough causes squabbles.
Check price on Amazon for Automatic Chicken Feeder Rat Proof Galvanized Treadle Poultry Feeder on AmazonAbout $43.99 checked Aug 8, 2026
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Best for Bantams and Light Birds
XINYI 12 lb Treadle
Keepers of bantams, silkies or young pullets who need a treadle light enough that the smallest bird can still open it.
-
Best for Leaving Out in the Run Year Round
RentACoop 40 lb
A permanent outdoor run where the feeder lives outside through every season and you want the weather kit included from the start.
Check price on Amazon for RentACoop Automatic Treadle Chicken Feeder - 40 lb Capacity on AmazonAbout $220 checked Aug 8, 2026
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Best for the Longest Stretch Between Refills
Abustle 52 lb
Anyone who travels often or keeps the feeder somewhere awkward to reach, and wants two weeks between refills for a flock of 8 to 12.
Check price on Amazon for 52 LB Automatic Treadle Chicken Feeder, Galvanized Steel Rat Proof No Waste on AmazonAbout $129 checked Aug 8, 2026
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Best for a Six Bird Flock
Grandpa's 20 lb
A small flock of about six hens in a modest coop, where a full coverage lid and a careful anti-waste design matter more than volume.
Compare every pick side by side
Swipe the table sideways to see every column on a phone.
| Product | Award | Price band | Capacity | Material | Treadle Trigger Weight | Stated Feed Duration | Anti Waste Feature | Weather Protection | Best use case | Buy link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VEVOR 25 lb | Best Overall | $60 to $120 | 25 lb of pellets, crumbles or crushed feed | Galvanised steel | Birds of 450 g or more | 8 to 10 days for 10 to 12 adult chickens | Built-in grilles plus side panels that stop side feeding | Rainproof lockable lid with a soundproof strip | A mixed backyard flock of 10 to 12 birds where some are lighter than othe… | Check price for VEVOR Automatic Chicken Feeder, 25 lbs Capacity, Rainproof Treadle Poultry Feeder with Lockable Lid, No Waste, Galvanized Steel Construction, Outdoor Use, for Chicken, Bantams, Poultry, Pheasants on Amazon |
| PAULOZYN 15 lb | Best Wide Trough for Several Hens at Once | $30 to $60 | 15 lb | Painted galvanised steel, 1 mm thick with curled edges | Birds must weigh more than 1.1 lb | Listing says a full fill lets you travel for a week, no bird count given | Deepened trough with a 21 in long by 7 in wide opening and 21 in pedal | Weatherproof cover that keeps feed dry and blocks wild birds | A flock of standard sized hens that all want to eat at once, where queuei… | Check price for Automatic Chicken Feeder Rat Proof Galvanized Treadle Poultry Feeder on Amazon |
| XINYI 12 lb Treadle | Best for Bantams and Light Birds | $30 to $60 | 12 lb, listed as 1.7 gallons | Galvanised steel plate with blunted edges | Birds over 400 g, about 0.88 lb | Not stated | Enclosed trough at a comfortable height, listing claims reduced spill and dust | Weatherproof lid that closes when no bird is on the treadle | Keepers of bantams, silkies or young pullets who need a treadle light eno… | Check price for XINYI Chicken Treadle Feeder,12 Lbs Metal Treadle Feeder, No Waste & Rodent Proof Chicken Feeder with Weatherproof Lid, Suitable for Bantams, Poultry, Pheasants - 1.7Gallon Capacity on Amazon |
| RentACoop 40 lb | Best for Leaving Out in the Run Year Round | $120 to $250 | 40 lb of pellets, crumble or scratch grain | Galvanised metal body with stainless steel hardware | Not stated | About 12 adult hens for up to 10 days | Blinders against side feeding, perforated flush treadle, covered metal body | Rain cover and anti-roost lid included in the box | A permanent outdoor run where the feeder lives outside through every seas… | Check price for RentACoop Automatic Treadle Chicken Feeder - 40 lb Capacity on Amazon |
| Abustle 52 lb | Best for the Longest Stretch Between Refills | $120 to $250 | 52 lb | Galvanised steel, listing calls it chew-proof | Not stated | 8 to 12 adult chickens for up to 14 days | Side guards against side feeding and a non-slip treadle | Locking lid and waterproof cover against rain and snow | Anyone who travels often or keeps the feeder somewhere awkward to reach,… | Check price for 52 LB Automatic Treadle Chicken Feeder, Galvanized Steel Rat Proof No Waste on Amazon |
| Grandpa's 20 lb | Best for a Six Bird Flock | $120 to $250 | 20 lb | Galvanised steel | Not stated | 6 chickens for up to 10 days | Anti-flick grill plus side guards that stop side feeding | Full coverage lid against rain, snow, rats, wild birds and insects | A small flock of about six hens in a modest coop, where a full coverage l… | Check price for Grandpas Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder - 20 lbs No Waste Poultry Feeder, Rat Proof & Rodent Proof Treadle Chicken Feeder, Galvanized Steel with Lid, Feeds 6 Chickens up to 10 Days 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
VEVOR Automatic Chicken Feeder, 25 lbs Capacity, Rainproof Treadle Poultry Feeder with Lockable Lid, No Waste, Galvanized Steel Construction, Outdoor Use, for Chicken, Bantams, Poultry, Pheasants
The only feeder on this page that publishes a trigger weight, a feed duration with a bird count, and an adjustable treadle height, which is what wins it the top slot at $75.90.
What we liked
- States a 450 g trigger weight, which most rivals never print at all
- 25 lb of pellets, crumbles or crushed feed covers 10 to 12 hens for 8 to 10 days
- Treadle height adjusts from 18.5 in to 20.7 in so bantams and adults share one feeder
- Built-in grilles plus side panels stop hens flicking feed onto the floor
- Rainproof lockable lid keeps rain off the hopper and the lid latched shut
What we did not
- A 450 g trigger sits inside the weight range of a large Norway rat, so night feeding is reduced rather than stopped
- The treadle linkage is the wear point on this class of feeder, and a lid that stops closing flush turns it into an open trough
- At 25 lb it holds less than half the Abustle 52 lb, so a long trip away still needs a second feeder or a neighbour
- The 11 lb galvanised body needs a paver or board under it, because bedding packing under the plate blocks the treadle travel
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 21.26 x 16.73 x 11.02 in (L x W x H)
- Weight
- 11.02 pounds
- Colour
- Silver
- Capacity
- 25 lb of pellets, crumbles or crushed feed
- Material
- Galvanised steel
- Treadle Trigger Weight
- Birds of 450 g or more
- Stated Feed Duration
- 8 to 10 days for 10 to 12 adult chickens
- Anti Waste Feature
- Built-in grilles plus side panels that stop side feeding
- Weather Protection
- Rainproof lockable lid with a soundproof strip
- Listing Note
- Treadle height adjusts from 18.5 in for small birds to 20.7 in for adults
Why the VEVOR 25 lb wins this category
Because it answers the question the category is about. A treadle feeder is a weight switch, and the weight is the specification that decides whether rats get in and whether your smaller birds get fed. VEVOR prints 450 g. Three of the six feeders here print nothing.
It goes further than the number. The treadle height adjusts from 18.5 in for small birds to 20.7 in for adults, which matters in a mixed flock where a light Sussex pullet and a heavy Orpington have to use the same box. The feed duration comes with a bird count attached, 8 to 10 days for 10 to 12 adult chickens, rather than the vague week of travel that some listings offer.
At $75.90 it is the most expensive of the three feeders here that publish a trigger weight, and it is still about a third of the price of either $219.95 option.
Living with the VEVOR 25 lb
The galvanised steel body weighs about 11 lb empty, so a full hopper is a stable thing that a hen cannot shove around the run. The footprint of 21.26 by 16.73 in wants a bit of floor, which is worth measuring against a small coop before ordering.
The lid is where the daily quality of life sits. It locks, it sheds rain, and it carries a soundproof strip so the clatter of the lid dropping is quieter, which sounds like a small thing until you have a flock that flinches away from a banging lid and refuses to use the feeder.
Anti-waste is handled twice. Grilles inside the trough slow the flicking motion hens use to sort feed, and side panels block the sideways reach that lets a bird rake feed out onto the ground.
Where the VEVOR 25 lb falls short
The 450 g trigger cuts both ways. It is low enough for most standard hens and a good many bantams to operate, which is the point, and that same softness means a large rat is physically capable of standing on the plate. This is a big reduction in overnight feeding, not a lock.
The linkage is the part to watch. On every budget treadle design the plate gradually stops travelling its full distance, and once the lid rests slightly open the feeder is doing nothing at night. Check for a flush close every few weeks and clear bedding from under the plate.
Capacity is the other honest limit. Twenty five pounds is a comfortable week and a bit for a dozen birds, which is fine for normal weeks and not enough for a fortnight away.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published trigger weight, capacity, feed duration, treadle height range and lid specification, and compared against the five other feeders in this guide on the same fields.
- Best for
- A mixed backyard flock of 10 to 12 birds where some are lighter than others and you want to see the numbers before you buy.
- Skip it if
- You keep only bantams under 450 g, or you need the feeder to hold more than a week and a half of feed for a bigger flock.
- The limitation to plan around
- The 450 g trigger is the thing to plan around. It is low enough that a heavy rat can work the plate, so the feeder needs to be paired with sealed feed storage and a clean floor underneath.
2 Best Wide Trough for Several Hens at Once
Automatic Chicken Feeder Rat Proof Galvanized Treadle Poultry Feeder
The widest opening here at 21 in by 7 in, on the heaviest published trigger weight of the three that state one, so several standard hens can feed together while light birds are shut out.
What we liked
- 21 in by 7 in opening lets several hens eat at the same time
- States a trigger weight, more than 1.1 lb, which three feeders here never do
- The 21 in pedal matches the trough width, so birds standing anywhere along it open the lid
- 1 mm painted galvanised steel with curled edges rather than raw cut edges
- At $43.99 it is the second cheapest feeder in this guide
What we did not
- The 1.1 lb trigger is the heaviest published figure here, so bantams and growing pullets may not open it at all
- The listing quotes a week of travel with no bird count, so the 15 lb capacity cannot be matched to your flock before you buy
- A 21 in wide open trough is a large area to keep clean, and damp feed sets hard in the corners
- Paint over galvanising chips at the treadle edge, and once the coating is broken the steel underneath rusts
About $43.99 checked Aug 8, 2026
Key specifications
- Colour
- Red & White
- Capacity
- 15 lb
- Material
- Painted galvanised steel, 1 mm thick with curled edges
- Treadle Trigger Weight
- Birds must weigh more than 1.1 lb
- Stated Feed Duration
- Listing says a full fill lets you travel for a week, no bird count given
- Anti Waste Feature
- Deepened trough with a 21 in long by 7 in wide opening and 21 in pedal
- Weather Protection
- Weatherproof cover that keeps feed dry and blocks wild birds
Why the PAULOZYN 15 lb earns its place
Feeding space is a real constraint that gets ignored because it is not a headline number. A narrow trough means birds take turns, and taking turns in a flock means the bottom two or three hens eat last and eat least.
The PAULOZYN answers that with a 21 in long by 7 in wide opening, the widest on this page. The pedal runs the full 21 in as well, which is the detail that makes it work: a bird standing at either end holds the lid open just as well as one standing in the middle.
It also states a trigger weight when three feeders here do not, and at more than 1.1 lb that plate is genuinely stiffer than the 400 g XINYI or the 450 g VEVOR. For a flock of full sized hens, that stiffness is on your side.
Living with the PAULOZYN 15 lb
The body is 1 mm painted galvanised steel with curled edges. The curl is worth noticing because a cut steel edge at beak height is exactly where birds get scratched and where rust starts.
The trough is deepened rather than shallow, which slows the sideways flick hens use to sort feed and pushes more of the spill back into the tray instead of onto the floor. The weatherproof cover keeps rain off and blocks wild birds from helping themselves during the day.
Fifteen pounds is modest, and the listing only says a full fill lets you travel for a week without saying for how many birds. Do your own arithmetic instead. A standard laying hen eats roughly a quarter of a pound a day, so 15 lb is about a week for eight birds and about five days for a dozen.
Where the PAULOZYN 15 lb falls short
The trigger weight is the problem for anyone with small birds. More than 1.1 lb is the heaviest published figure in this comparison, and a bantam or a 10 week old pullet may simply not shift it. In a mixed flock that means some birds are fed and some are not, which is worse than a feeder that lets rats in.
The missing bird count on the duration claim is the second issue. A week is not a specification, and it is the number most buyers will use to size their purchase.
The wide trough has a cleaning cost too. More open area means more surface for damp feed to cake onto, and a caked corner is where mould starts.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published trough and pedal dimensions, the stated minimum bird weight, the material gauge and the weather cover description, compared against the other five feeders here.
- Best for
- A flock of standard sized hens that all want to eat at once, where queueing at a narrow trough causes squabbles.
- Skip it if
- You keep bantams, silkies or young pullets, because a 1.1 lb minimum will leave the lightest birds standing on a lid that does not move.
- The limitation to plan around
- The trigger weight is the thing to plan around. At more than 1.1 lb it locks out small birds, so this only suits a flock where every bird clears that weight comfortably.
3 Best for Bantams and Light Birds
XINYI Chicken Treadle Feeder,12 Lbs Metal Treadle Feeder, No Waste & Rodent Proof Chicken Feeder with Weatherproof Lid, Suitable for Bantams, Poultry, Pheasants - 1.7Gallon Capacity
A 400 g trigger, the lowest published figure in this guide, on the cheapest feeder here at $41.99, which makes it the sensible starting point for bantams and growing pullets.
What we liked
- Opens at 400 g, about 0.88 lb, the lowest stated trigger weight on this page
- The cheapest feeder in this comparison at $41.99
- Compact at 16.1 by 6.5 in, so it fits a small coop where the bigger units will not
- Galvanised steel plate with blunted edges rather than raw cut steel
- Weatherproof lid that drops shut as soon as the bird steps off
What we did not
- A 400 g plate is well inside the reach of a large Norway rat, so this is the weakest rodent barrier of the three that state a trigger
- No feed duration is stated anywhere, so 12 lb has to be sized against your own flock by hand
- At 12 lb it holds the least feed here, which means refilling roughly twice as often as the VEVOR 25 lb
- The 6.5 in width gives very little feeding space, so only one or two birds can eat at a time
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 16.1 x 6.5 x 7.5 in (L x W x H)
- Colour
- sliver
- Capacity
- 12 lb, listed as 1.7 gallons
- Material
- Galvanised steel plate with blunted edges
- Treadle Trigger Weight
- Birds over 400 g, about 0.88 lb
- Stated Feed Duration
- Not stated
- Anti Waste Feature
- Enclosed trough at a comfortable height, listing claims reduced spill and dust
- Weather Protection
- Weatherproof lid that closes when no bird is on the treadle
Why the XINYI 12 lb Treadle wins for light birds
Every other feeder in this guide is designed around a standard hen. Bantams get an afterthought at best, and in three cases no published trigger weight at all, which leaves you buying and hoping.
XINYI states 400 g, about 0.88 lb. That is the lowest figure on this page and it is low enough that a small bantam hen can hold the plate down on her own. The listing names bantams, poultry and pheasants specifically, which at least suggests the plate was set with light birds in mind.
At $41.99 it is also the cheapest feeder here, which changes what the purchase risks. If a few of your birds never learn a treadle, you have lost forty dollars rather than two hundred and twenty.
Living with the XINYI 12 lb Treadle
It is small. At 16.1 by 6.5 by 7.5 in it takes up about as much floor as a shoebox stood lengthways, which is the reason to choose it in a coop where the RentACoop or the Abustle simply would not fit.
Twelve pounds, listed as 1.7 gallons, is a modest hopper. Working on roughly a quarter of a pound a day for a standard hen and less for a bantam, that is about a week for six or seven small birds. The listing gives no duration figure of its own, so that arithmetic is yours to do.
The lid is weatherproof and closes as soon as the bird steps off. The trough sits enclosed at a height the listing calls comfortable, and the maker claims reduced spill and dust rather than describing a specific grille or guard.
Where the XINYI 12 lb Treadle falls short
The rodent case is weak and it should be said plainly. A Norway rat runs roughly 7 to 18 oz, so a 400 g plate is inside the range a large adult can work. If rats are the reason you are shopping, this is the wrong end of the page.
Capacity is the second limit. At 12 lb it holds the least feed here, so refills come around twice as often as they would on the VEVOR 25 lb.
Feeding space is the third. A 6.5 in wide body means one bird at a time in practice, and in a flock of eight or more that turns feeding into a queue where the lowest ranked birds wait.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published 400 g trigger weight, the 12 lb capacity, the stated dimensions and the lid description, and set against Norway rat weight ranges and the other feeders here.
- Best for
- Keepers of bantams, silkies or young pullets who need a treadle light enough that the smallest bird can still open it.
- Skip it if
- Rats are your main problem rather than wild birds and daytime spill, because a 400 g plate is comfortably inside a big rat's weight.
- The limitation to plan around
- The 400 g trigger is the thing to plan around. It buys access for light birds and gives up most of the rodent resistance, so feed storage and floor sweeping have to do the rest.
4 Best for Leaving Out in the Run Year Round
RentACoop Automatic Treadle Chicken Feeder - 40 lb Capacity
Forty pounds of feed inside a galvanised body with stainless hardware, a rain cover and an anti-roost lid in the box, which is the most complete outdoor package here even though it never states a trigger weight.
What we liked
- 40 lb hopper rated at about 12 adult hens for up to 10 days
- Stainless steel hardware on a galvanised body, which is the pairing that survives outdoor damp
- Rain cover and anti-roost lid are included rather than sold separately
- Blinders against side feeding plus a perforated flush treadle that sheds litter
- Twice the capacity of the Grandpa's 20 lb for the same $219.95
What we did not
- No trigger weight is published anywhere, which is hard to accept at $219.95 when a $41.99 feeder states one
- Works out at about $5.50 for every pound of feed it holds, against about $2.48 on the Abustle 52 lb
- The 21 by 14.5 in footprint plus room for the treadle swing is a lot of floor in a small run
- A 40 lb hopper standing outside means more feed exposed to humidity between refills, and damp feed cakes in the throat
About $220 checked Aug 8, 2026
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 21 x 14.5 x 14.5 in (L x W x H)
- Colour
- Silver
- Capacity
- 40 lb of pellets, crumble or scratch grain
- Material
- Galvanised metal body with stainless steel hardware
- Treadle Trigger Weight
- Not stated
- Stated Feed Duration
- About 12 adult hens for up to 10 days
- Anti Waste Feature
- Blinders against side feeding, perforated flush treadle, covered metal body
- Weather Protection
- Rain cover and anti-roost lid included in the box
Why the RentACoop 40 lb suits a year round run
The case for this one is not the mechanism, it is the materials and what comes in the box. A galvanised metal body with stainless steel hardware is the combination that keeps working after a few wet winters, because the fasteners are usually what seizes and rusts first on a cheaper unit.
The rain cover and the anti-roost lid are included. That second item matters more than it sounds. Birds that perch on a feeder lid foul it, and droppings sitting on a lid end up in the trough the next time it opens.
Forty pounds is rated at about 12 adult hens for up to 10 days, which is a genuinely useful stretch, and it is twice the capacity of the Grandpa's 20 lb at the same $219.95.
Living with the RentACoop 40 lb
The anti-waste design is thorough. Blinders block the sideways reach that lets a hen rake feed onto the floor, the treadle is perforated so litter falls through instead of building up on the plate, and the plate sits flush rather than proud, which lowers the step a nervous bird has to take.
The perforated flush treadle is the detail that addresses the failure everyone hits. Bedding packing under and on top of a plate is the standard reason a treadle stops travelling, and a plate that lets litter drop through is a real answer to it rather than a marketing line.
It is big. At 21 by 14.5 by 14.5 in plus clearance for the lid and the treadle swing, this wants a run rather than a small coop corner.
Where the RentACoop 40 lb falls short
The silence on trigger weight is the problem. At $219.95 this is one of the two most expensive feeders on this page, and the $41.99 XINYI publishes the number while this does not. If you keep bantams or you are shopping specifically because of rats, that missing figure is the whole decision left blank.
Value per pound of feed is the other issue. About $5.50 for every pound it holds is more than double the $2.48 of the Abustle 52 lb. You are paying for the galvanised body, the stainless hardware and the weather kit in the box rather than for volume, which is a fair trade only if the feeder is going to live outside for years.
Holding 40 lb outdoors also has a cost of its own. Feed absorbs moisture from the air, and a hopper that takes 10 days to empty gives it 10 days to do so.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published capacity, dimensions, material specification, stated feed duration and included weather accessories, and compared on price per pound held against the rest of this guide.
- Best for
- A permanent outdoor run where the feeder lives outside through every season and you want the weather kit included from the start.
- Skip it if
- You want to know what weight opens the plate before you spend, or your birds are light enough that an unstated trigger is a real risk.
- The limitation to plan around
- The missing trigger weight is the thing to plan around. Assume it is set for standard hens, and be prepared to prop the lid and watch whether your lightest birds can work it.
5 Best for the Longest Stretch Between Refills
52 LB Automatic Treadle Chicken Feeder, Galvanized Steel Rat Proof No Waste
Fifty two pounds is the largest hopper here and at $129 it is also the cheapest feeder per pound of feed held, which is the whole argument for it since the trigger weight is never stated.
What we liked
- 52 lb hopper, the largest capacity in this comparison
- Rated at 8 to 12 adult chickens for up to 14 days between refills
- About $2.48 for every pound it holds, the best capacity per dollar on this page
- Side guards against side feeding plus a non-slip treadle plate
- Locking lid with a waterproof cover for rain and snow
What we did not
- No trigger weight is published, so there is no way to know whether bantams can open it or whether a heavy rat can
- The tall 21.65 in body on a 17.72 by 10.63 in base makes it top heavy when full, so it wants a level hard stand
- Fifty two pounds takes up to 14 days to empty, which is a long time for feed to sit absorbing damp before it is eaten
- The listing calls the galvanised steel chew-proof with no gauge or test behind the word
About $129 checked Aug 8, 2026
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 17.72 x 10.63 x 21.65 in (L x W x H)
- Weight
- 10 pounds
- Colour
- Red
- Capacity
- 52 lb
- Material
- Galvanised steel, listing calls it chew-proof
- Treadle Trigger Weight
- Not stated
- Stated Feed Duration
- 8 to 12 adult chickens for up to 14 days
- Anti Waste Feature
- Side guards against side feeding and a non-slip treadle
- Weather Protection
- Locking lid and waterproof cover against rain and snow
Why the Abustle 52 lb suits long gaps
Refilling is the chore that decides whether a feeder gets used properly. A hopper you top up every three days is a hopper you eventually leave half empty, and a half empty feeder is a hungry flock by Friday.
Fifty two pounds is the largest capacity in this guide by a clear margin, and the listing puts a figure on it: 8 to 12 adult chickens for up to 14 days. That is a fortnight, which covers most holidays and every awkward week.
The money side is the other half of the case. At $129 it works out at about $2.48 for every pound of feed it holds, the cheapest on that measure of the six here, and well under the $5.50 of the RentACoop 40 lb or the $11.00 of the Grandpa's 20 lb.
Living with the Abustle 52 lb
The shape is unusual. At 17.72 by 10.63 in on the floor and 21.65 in tall, it is a column rather than a box, which is how it fits 52 lb into a small footprint. That helps in a narrow run and hurts on stability, because a full column of feed sitting on a narrow base is easy to knock over.
Side guards handle the sideways reach that scatters feed. The treadle is non-slip, which is worth having, since a plate a bird slides off is a plate a bird stops using.
The lid locks and a waterproof cover goes over the top for rain and snow, so this is built to live outside rather than under a coop roof.
Where the Abustle 52 lb falls short
The missing trigger weight is the main gap. At $129 this sits in the middle of the price range here, and the $41.99 XINYI still tells you what weight opens the plate while this does not. If your reason for buying is a specific rat problem or a flock of light birds, that blank matters.
Chew-proof is the second thing to discount. The listing uses the phrase for the galvanised steel without giving a gauge or citing a test, and thin galvanised sheet is not the same barrier as heavy plate.
The last is a consequence of the size. Feed sitting in a hopper for 14 days picks up humidity, and damp feed bridges in the throat and stops flowing. Fill it part way if your flock is small.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published capacity, dimensions, stated feed duration and bird count, lid and cover description, and price per pound of capacity against the other five feeders here.
- Best for
- Anyone who travels often or keeps the feeder somewhere awkward to reach, and wants two weeks between refills for a flock of 8 to 12.
- Skip it if
- You keep a small flock, because 52 lb of feed will go stale in the hopper long before four or five birds finish it.
- The limitation to plan around
- Feed freshness is the thing to plan around. A hopper this size only makes sense if your flock actually empties it inside two weeks, otherwise fill it part way.
6 Best for a Six Bird Flock
Grandpas Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder - 20 lbs No Waste Poultry Feeder, Rat Proof & Rodent Proof Treadle Chicken Feeder, Galvanized Steel with Lid, Feeds 6 Chickens up to 10 Days
A 20 lb galvanised treadle sized honestly at six chickens for up to 10 days, with the most thorough anti-waste design here, though at $219.95 it is the dearest feed capacity on this page by a wide margin.
What we liked
- Sized with a real bird count, six chickens for up to 10 days
- Anti-flick grill plus side guards, the most complete anti-waste setup in this guide
- Full coverage lid rated against rain, snow, rats, wild birds and insects
- Compact for the class at about 17 by 15 by 12 in, so it fits a modest coop
- Galvanised steel body at about 10 lb empty, light enough to lift out and hose down
What we did not
- No trigger weight is stated, which is a real gap at $219.95 when the $41.99 XINYI publishes one
- About $11.00 for every pound of feed it holds, the dearest capacity on this page
- The RentACoop 40 lb costs the same $219.95 and holds twice as much feed
- Twenty pounds at six birds means a refill roughly every 10 days, so it is not a leave it and travel feeder
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 16.99999998266 x 14.9999999847 x 11.99999998776 in (L x W x H)
- Weight
- 10 pounds
- Colour
- Silver
- Capacity
- 20 lb
- Material
- Galvanised steel
- Treadle Trigger Weight
- Not stated
- Stated Feed Duration
- 6 chickens for up to 10 days
- Anti Waste Feature
- Anti-flick grill plus side guards that stop side feeding
- Weather Protection
- Full coverage lid against rain, snow, rats, wild birds and insects
Why the Grandpa's 20 lb fits a six bird flock
Most feeder listings inflate the flock they claim to serve. Grandpa's does the opposite and puts a small number on the box: six chickens for up to 10 days. Twenty pounds divided by six birds at roughly a quarter of a pound a day comes out at about 13 days, so the claim is on the conservative side of the arithmetic, which is rare enough to be worth saying.
That honesty is the reason it earns a slot. If you keep half a dozen hens, this is a feeder sized for you rather than one sized for a photograph.
The anti-waste design is the most thorough here. An anti-flick grill sits over the feed to break up the sideways sorting motion hens use, and side guards block the reach that scatters feed onto the ground. Together they cut the spill that draws rats in the first place.
Living with the Grandpa's 20 lb
The footprint is about 17 by 15 by 12 in, which is compact for a treadle feeder of this class and noticeably smaller than the 21 by 14.5 by 14.5 in RentACoop. In a modest coop that difference is the one that decides whether a treadle feeder is practical at all.
The lid is described as full coverage against rain, snow, rats, wild birds and insects. Coverage of that kind is the part of a treadle feeder that keeps daytime thieves out, which for many keepers is a bigger everyday cost than rats.
At about 10 lb empty it is light enough to lift and move for cleaning, and galvanised steel means a hose and a brush is the whole maintenance routine.
Where the Grandpa's 20 lb falls short
The price against capacity is impossible to talk around. At $219.95 for 20 lb, this works out at about $11.00 for every pound of feed it holds. The RentACoop 40 lb is the same $219.95 and holds twice as much, and the Abustle 52 lb is $129 for more than two and a half times the feed.
The unstated trigger weight is the second problem, and it stings more at this price. Three feeders here publish the number, including the cheapest one on the page, so the omission is a choice rather than a limitation.
Capacity also caps the flock. Twenty pounds is 10 days for six birds and about five days for a dozen, so a growing flock outgrows this feeder rather than settles into it.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published capacity, dimensions, stated bird count and duration, lid coverage and anti-waste description, then compared on price per pound held against the other five feeders.
- Best for
- A small flock of about six hens in a modest coop, where a full coverage lid and a careful anti-waste design matter more than volume.
- Skip it if
- You are buying on value per pound of feed, or you need a hopper that carries a bigger flock through more than 10 days.
- The limitation to plan around
- Capacity is the thing to plan around. Twenty pounds is genuinely six birds for 10 days, so a flock of a dozen halves that and you are refilling weekly.
How we compared these treadle feeders
The first question asked of every feeder was whether it publishes a treadle trigger weight. That number decides both of the problems people buy a treadle feeder to solve, and only three of these six answer it.
After that, five things. Capacity measured against price, because a big hopper on a cheap frame is a different purchase from a small hopper on an expensive one. The stated feed duration and, more importantly, the bird count printed beside it, since 10 days means nothing without knowing how many birds it assumes. The anti-waste design at the trough, because side guards and grilles are what stop a hen flicking feed onto the floor for the rats. Weather sealing on the lid. And whether the treadle height can be adjusted, which is the difference between a feeder a bantam can use and one it cannot.
Nothing here was handled or run in a coop. These are published specifications, listing claims and known failure modes, compared against each other.
What actually matters in a treadle feeder
The trigger weight is the whole decision
A treadle feeder is a weight-operated switch. Something heavy enough stands on the plate, the lid lifts, and when the weight leaves the lid drops. Everything else on the spec sheet is packaging around that.
So the useful question is what weight opens it. A Norway rat is roughly 7 to 18 oz, which is about 200 to 510 g. XINYI states 400 g. VEVOR states 450 g. Both sit inside or very near the range a large rat can reach, so neither is a seal. Set the plate heavier and you solve rats by locking out your own bantams and pullets.
The three feeders that state nothing are the harder problem. RentACoop, Abustle and Grandpa's all describe the lid, the guards and the coverage, and none of them commit to a number. At $219.95 for the RentACoop 40 lb and the same $219.95 for the Grandpa's 20 lb, that silence is a fair thing to hold against them.
Capacity, and what it costs per pound held
Price per pound of capacity sorts this page quickly. The Abustle 52 lb at $129 works out at about $2.48 for every pound it holds, the cheapest here on that measure. The VEVOR 25 lb at $75.90 is about $3.04, the PAULOZYN 15 lb at $43.99 about $2.93, and the XINYI 12 lb at $41.99 about $3.50.
The two at $219.95 sit a long way out. The RentACoop 40 lb is about $5.50 a pound held and the Grandpa's 20 lb is about $11.00. At that money you are buying build rather than volume, and RentACoop's 40 lb hopper costs exactly the same as Grandpa's 20 lb one.
None of that means the cheap ones win. It means you should know what the money is buying before you decide it is worth it.
The linkage is the part that fails
The hopper does not fail. The galvanised body does not fail. The treadle linkage fails, and it fails the same way across price points: the plate starts travelling less than its full distance, the lid stops closing properly, and the feeder quietly becomes an open trough at night.
That is why the base matters. Bedding packs under the plate and blocks travel, so a treadle feeder wants a paver, a slab or a board underneath it rather than loose litter. Check the lid closes flush every few weeks. It takes five seconds and it is the whole point of the purchase.
Anti-waste guards do more than the lid
Side panels and grilles are the underrated part. A hen standing side-on to an open trough will hook feed out with her beak and scatter it, and that spill is what feeds rats whether the lid shuts or not.
The VEVOR has grilles plus side panels. Grandpa's has an anti-flick grill and side guards. RentACoop uses blinders and a perforated flush treadle. The PAULOZYN takes the other route, with a deepened trough and a 21 in by 7 in opening, which is the widest here and lets several hens feed at once, at the cost of a bigger area to keep clean.
Getting a flock onto a treadle feeder
Give it one to two weeks with the lid propped fully open. The birds need to learn that this box is where food lives before they learn that standing on it opens the lid. Rushing this stage is the most common reason a feeder ends up in the shed.
Keep the old feeder out for the first few days, then remove it. Check crops in the evening while you make the switch. A full crop feels like a soft bulge at the base of the neck, and an empty one on a bird you know is otherwise healthy means she has not worked it out yet.
Expect one or two birds never to learn. Timid hens low in the pecking order tend to be the ones that hang back, and in a small flock that can mean a bird slowly loses condition. If that happens, keep a second open feeder somewhere the others do not guard.
Finally, put it on something hard and level. Bedding under the plate is the single most common cause of a treadle that stops working, and it is free to fix.
Final recommendation
The VEVOR 25 lb is the pick for most flocks. At $75.90 it publishes a 450 g trigger weight, 25 lb of capacity, 8 to 10 days for 10 to 12 adult hens, a rainproof lockable lid, side panels against side feeding, and a treadle height that moves from 18.5 in to 20.7 in. Nothing else here gives you that much to check before you buy.
If you keep bantams or young pullets, the XINYI 12 lb Treadle is the one to start with, because its 400 g plate is the lowest published figure on this page. If several hens need to eat at once, the PAULOZYN 15 lb has the widest opening here at 21 in by 7 in. And if the refill trip is the thing you want to cut down, the Abustle 52 lb holds more than twice the VEVOR for $129 and is rated at up to 14 days for 8 to 12 birds.
Questions people ask before buying
What treadle trigger weight actually keeps rats out?
There is no weight that keeps every rat out and still lets every chicken in, which is the honest answer nobody puts in a product title. A Norway rat weighs roughly 7 to 18 oz, so a 400 g plate is inside the reach of a big one, and 450 g is not far above it. A plate set heavy enough to be certain would also shut out bantams and pullets. Treat a treadle as a large reduction in night feeding rather than a seal, and pair it with metal feed storage.
Will a treadle feeder work for bantams?
Only if the trigger weight is low and the treadle height can be dropped. A bantam hen often sits between 1 and 2 lb, so the 400 g plate on the XINYI 12 lb is the lowest published figure here and the safest bet for light birds. The PAULOZYN needs a bird over 1.1 lb, which many bantams clear but young ones will not. The VEVOR 25 lb helps in a mixed flock because its treadle height adjusts from 18.5 in to 20.7 in, so small and large birds can share one feeder.
How long does it take chickens to learn a treadle feeder?
Plan on one to two weeks with the lid propped fully open so the birds eat from it as an ordinary trough first. After that, let the lid down in stages rather than all at once. Most flocks work it out, a few individual birds never do, and a hen that will not use it will simply stop eating rather than experiment. Keep the old feeder available for the first few days and watch crop fill in the evening before you take it away.
Why does my treadle stop opening the lid?
Nine times out of ten it is bedding, not the mechanism. Shavings and litter pack under the plate until the treadle cannot travel its full distance, so the lid only cracks open and the birds give up. Stand the feeder on a paver, a paving slab or a scrap board rather than straight on the coop floor. The other cause is the linkage itself, which is the part that wears on budget units, so check for a full close every few weeks.
Do I need the biggest hopper I can afford?
Usually not. Capacity mostly buys you fewer refills, and a fuller hopper sitting outside means more feed exposed to damp and more weight resting on the same linkage. Work backwards from your flock instead. The Grandpa's 20 lb is rated at six chickens for up to 10 days, and the Abustle 52 lb is rated at 8 to 12 chickens for up to 14 days, so match the stated bird count to your own before you pay for volume you will never use.
Does a treadle feeder cure a rat problem on its own?
No, and expecting it to is how people end up disappointed at $219.95. Rats come for spilled feed under the feeder, an open sack in the shed and anything scratched into the bedding, none of which a lid touches. Sweep or tray the spill, move the feed sack into a metal bin, and treat the feeder as one part of the job. If you are seeing rats in daylight, the population is already established and a feeder alone will not clear it.
Why you can trust this guide
- Written by
- Sam Reddick, Lead gear reviewer, Chicken Geek. Specialist areas: Coop design and predator proofing, Feeding and watering systems, Cold-weather flock management, Incubation and brooding.
- Fact checked by
- Marta Voss
- Published
- August 8, 2026 · Last updated August 8, 2026 · Products and links rechecked August 8, 2026
- How we picked
- Every feeder was checked first for a published treadle trigger weight, then scored on capacity against price per pound held, on the stated feed duration and the bird count behind it, on the anti-waste design at the trough, on lid and weather sealing, and on whether the treadle height can be set to suit both bantams and full sized hens.
- 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
Lead gear reviewer, Chicken Geek
Sam has kept a backyard laying flock for eleven years, through two coop rebuilds, one very determined raccoon and several winters cold enough to freeze a waterer solid overnight. He writes the buying guides at Chicken Geek and is responsible for how products get compared.
- Eleven years keeping a mixed laying flock of 8 to 14 birds
- Has built, bought and replaced six different coops
- Runs the product comparison framework used across Chicken Geek
- Reads manufacturer manuals, spec sheets and warranty terms before every recommendation
