Best Chicken Feeders UK (2026): Rat-Proof and No-Waste Picks
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A good feeder does three jobs: it keeps your hens fed for days at a time, it stops them flicking food all over the run, and — crucially in a British garden — it keeps rats, mice and wild birds out of it. Get it wrong and you’ll be paying to feed half the neighbourhood’s wildlife, and a rat problem near the coop is the last thing you want.
We’ve compared the most popular chicken feeders on Amazon UK, from simple gravity feeders to fully rat-proof treadle designs, so you can choose the right one for your flock and your budget.
Our top picks at a glance
| Feeder | Best for | Capacity | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omlet No Waste Feeder 5kg | Best overall | 5kg (6 hens for a week) | £60 |
| Grandpa’s Feeders Treadle Feeder | Best rat-proof feeder | 9kg (6 hens for 10 days) | £160 |
| Galvanised Wall-Mounted Feeder | Best budget large feeder | 11.5kg | £37 |
| KCT Gravity Feeder 3kg | Best cheap starter feeder | 3kg | £9 |
| RentACoop Port Feeder & Drinker Set | Best for small flocks and chicks | About 1.1kg feed + 2L water | £50 |
The best chicken feeders in the UK
1. Omlet No Waste Feeder (5kg) — best overall
Omlet designed this feeder around the way hens actually eat, and it tackles the two biggest feeder annoyances: wasted food and bossy hens hogging it.
- Holds 5kg — enough for up to six hens for a week, according to Omlet
- Enclosed individual feeding ports, so only one hen can use each port at a time
- Can hang from the handle or stand on its legs
- Splits into three pieces for cleaning, with no tools needed
- Also available in 2.5kg and 11kg sizes
What we like: The enclosed ports mean far less food ends up on the floor, which saves money and gives rats less reason to visit. It’s also one of the best-rated feeders on Amazon UK.
Worth knowing: It isn’t sealed against rats like a treadle feeder, so if you already have a rat problem, store it inside overnight or look at our next pick.
2. Grandpa’s Feeders Treadle Feeder — best rat-proof feeder
A treadle feeder only opens when a hen steps on the plate in front of it. Rats and most wild birds are too light to open it, so the food stays sealed away. Grandpa’s Feeders is one of the best-known designs and has over a thousand reviews.
- Holds up to 9kg — enough for six hens for up to 10 days
- Full lid protects feed from rats, wild birds, insects and rain
- Anti-flick grill stops hens scattering food
- Side guards keep hens feeding from the front
What we like: If rats are a problem in your area, a treadle feeder is the most effective fix there is. The large capacity also makes it ideal if you’re away for a long weekend.
Worth knowing: It’s expensive, and hens need a few days to learn to use the treadle. Wedge the lid open at first so they can see the food, then lower it gradually.
3. Galvanised Wall-Mounted Feeder (11.5kg) — best budget large feeder
A large galvanised steel feeder with a rain cover, which you can fix to the wall of the coop or run to keep it off the ground.
- 11.5kg capacity
- Galvanised steel construction
- Rain cover over the feeding trough
- Wall-mounted design
What we like: Mounting the feeder off the ground keeps feed clean and dry, and the rain cover is a real advantage in a British winter. It’s a lot of capacity for the price.
Worth knowing: It has far fewer reviews than our other picks, and it isn’t rat-proof. Mount it at the height of your hens’ backs to reduce spillage.
4. KCT 3kg Gravity Feeder — best cheap starter feeder
The classic plastic gravity feeder: fill the tube and the feed drops into the tray as your hens eat. Simple, light and very cheap.
- 3kg capacity (1kg and 10kg sizes also available)
- 360-degree access, so several hens can eat at once
- Carry handle for hanging or moving
What we like: It does the job for a few pounds, and it’s a handy spare for broody hens or new birds in quarantine.
Worth knowing: Open trays invite rats and wild birds, and hens will flick feed out. Hang it so the tray is roughly at back height, and bring it in at night.
5. RentACoop Port Feeder and Drinker Set — best for small flocks and chicks
A compact set with a port feeder and a nipple drinker that you can mount inside or outside the coop. It works from chicks right through to adult hens.
- 2.5lb (about 1.1kg) feeder with a feeding port and slide cover
- 64oz (about 2 litre) drinker with horizontal nipples
- Anti-roost lid to stop hens perching on top
- BPA-free plastic
What we like: It’s a tidy solution for two or three hens or a brooder of chicks, and the enclosed design keeps feed and water clean.
Worth knowing: The small capacity means topping up every few days, so it’s not the best choice for larger flocks.
How to choose a chicken feeder
How big should it be?
A laying hen eats roughly 120–150g of layers’ pellets a day. So four hens will get through around 4kg a week. Choose a feeder that holds at least a few days’ worth, so you’re not refilling it every morning — but not so much that the feed goes stale or damp.
Keeping rats away
- Use a treadle feeder or bring the feeder inside at night.
- Mop up spilled feed and don’t scatter treats late in the day.
- Store sacks of feed in a metal bin with a tight lid.
- Raise feeders off the ground or mount them on a wall.
Pellets or mash?
Most UK keepers feed layers’ pellets, which are less messy than mash and work in all of the feeders above. Check that your feeder’s ports or tray suit the feed you use.
Keeping feed dry
Wet feed goes mouldy quickly, which can make hens ill. In the UK it’s worth keeping feeders under cover — inside the run, under the coop or beneath a rain hood.
Frequently asked questions
Do treadle feeders really stop rats?
They’re very effective because rats are usually too light to open the lid. A very large rat can occasionally manage it, so keep the area around the feeder clean too.
Should I take my chicken feeder in at night?
If it isn’t rat-proof, yes. Hens don’t eat in the dark, so there’s no harm in removing it once they’ve gone to roost.
Where should I put the feeder?
Somewhere sheltered and dry — inside the run is ideal. Avoid putting it directly under perches, where it will get dirty.
Prices, ratings and specifications were checked on Amazon UK in October 2026 and may have changed since. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
