How to choose the best Chicken Feeder for your chicken coop
Are you wondering which Dine a Chook Chicken Feeder is best for your flock? We are chicken keepers too, and know that every flock is different. That is why we have created this handy guide to help you choose the best Chicken Feeder for your chicken coop.
We have answered your Frequently Asked Questions about choosing a Dine a Chook Feeder below. I have advised hundreds of clients, so if you require further information please feel free to get in touch. I am always happy to provide a personalised consultation.
What size Chicken Feeder do I need?
At Dine a Chook, our Chicken Feeders come in two sizes:
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3.5 litres, measuring 540 mm in height
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4.7 litres, measuring 720 mm in height
The smaller, 3.5 L Dine a Chook Feeder was designed for areas with a height restriction, such as chicken tractors and many imported coops. If you cannot walk into your chicken coop, you probably need a 3.5 L feeder.
Our 4.7 L Feeder holds approximately 1 kilogram more food than the smaller feeder and we recommend it wherever height is not a restriction, even if you have only a few birds.
How many Chicken Feeders do I need?
One to two birds can use our feeder at a time, though in a backyard environment you will find that chickens usually take turns to feed due to the "pecking order" within the flock.
Our suggestion is to purchase one feeder for every 6-8 birds, in order to ensure that more dominant birds do not prevent weaker ones from feeding.
Is a Dine a Chook Chicken Feeder suitable for bantams?
Bantams love Dine a Chook Feeders, just like other chickens. Just adjust the mounting height and feeding bay depth to ensure that the little guys can reach the food.
If your chickens are still having trouble reaching the feed, place a block or brick under the Feeder as a step to help them reach inside.
Can I use a Dine a Chook Chicken Feeder for other poultry?
Dine a Chook Chicken Feeders are perfect for use with all types of backyard poultry. Simply adjust the mounting height to suit! Our happy customers also recommend using Dine a Chook Chicken Feeders as:
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Duck feeders
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Turkey feeders
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Guinea fowl feeders
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Goose feeders
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And more!
How long will the food in a Dine a Chook Feeder last?
Our 3.5 Litre Automatic Chicken Feeder should comfortably feed 4 chickens for 4 days, depending on breed, time of year and whether the birds receive treats or kitchen scraps.
The 4.7 Litre Feeder will feed 6 birds for a similar amount of time.
Are Dine a Chook Chicken Feeders Rat-Proof?
Unfortunately, a rat-proof Chicken Feeder that will solve all your rodent problems does not exist. Even feeders marketed as rat-proof, such as many treadle feeders, cannot prevent rodents from chewing through the feeder or outsmarting the weighted lid. I cannot count the number of times that customers have contacted me, complaining about a “rat-proof” chicken feeder that did not live up to its name.
So although Dine a Chook Feeders are not rat-proof, they are rodent resistant and can help to manage vermin in your chicken coop. Our Feeders dissuade rats from accessing the feeding bay (when mounted at a suitable height), but the most important feature for reducing vermin is the No Waste design.
Rats and other vermin are attracted to the chicken coop by the easy source of food - usually uneaten feed that has been raked out of the feeder. By choosing a waste-reducing chicken feeder that is designed to prevent raking and thrashing, thus keeping food off the chicken coop floor, you are no longer providing vermin with an easy meal. There is no magic bullet to stop vermin, but in combination with good coop management, our Chicken Feeders can help to prevent rodents from taking up residence in your chicken coop.
How do Dine a Chook Feeders reduce waste?
Dine a Chook Chicken Feeders are designed to reduce wasted feed, saving you money and preventing spilled feed from attracting rats and other vermin. The difference between our feeders and other designs lies in the specially engineered feeding bay.
To begin with, in order to use a Dine a Chook feeder, your chicken must insert its head into the feeding bay, which should be mounted at about head height. This means that neck movement, leading to feed spillage, is limited.
Additionally, our patented feeding bay is fitted with horizontal and vertical paddles that prevent the raking and sideways thrashing that are common, but unnecessary, movements when chickens feed. This silo-inspired design effectively prevents chickens from spilling feed on the ground, preventing waste and reducing the cost of keeping poultry.
Are Dine a Chook Chicken Feeders waterproof?
Dine a Chook Chicken Feeders are watertight. Made from snap-together PVC parts, our feeders will not leak in wet weather. The patented rain-hood and gutter system protect the feeding bay, providing shelter and redirecting run-off away from the feeder in order to prevent leakage. This system is so effective that it made our own storm-guard redundant!
Tested extensively in heavy rain and tropical storms, our feeders are practically all-weatherproof!