An automatic chicken feeder holds dry layer feed in a hopper and dispenses it to your flock without you being there to scoop it out every morning. Most of them work on gravity alone: feed falls from the container through one-way ports as the birds peck at it, so the tray never empties and never overfills. The better designs add a lid that only opens under the weight of a stepping bird, which is how you keep rats and wild birds out of the feed.
We spent weeks reading owner reviews, comparing capacities against real flock consumption and watching how these feeders behave in wet weather. Every product below sits under 100 dollars, which rules out the well-known premium treadle feeders that cost far more. What you get inside that budget is a lot of hopper capacity and good port coverage, with one trade-off: you will still need to bring the feeder in at night or cover it, because almost nothing in this price range is fully sealed against a determined rat.
If you want a broader look at chicken feeding gear, our automatic chicken feeder buyer guide covers the premium end, and the general chicken feeder rankings work through manual and hanging styles too.
Table of Contents
Three Types of Automatic Chicken Feeders, Explained
Before the picks, here is how the three feeder families divide, because every product on this list falls into one of them.
Gravity port feeders – feed drops from a bucket, hopper or box through covered ports as birds peck. No power, no moving mechanical parts beyond the bird itself, and the cheapest category. Capacity runs from 5 to 120 pounds. This is where nearly every sub-100 dollar option lives.
Treadle feeders – a lid is held shut by a spring and only swings open when roughly 1.5 pounds of stepping pressure lands on a platform. Rats cannot build that pressure, so the feed stays sealed. These are the most rodent-proof design and the most expensive, and every true treadle we found sits above our cap.
Motorised dispensers – an auger or auger-style motor releases a measured portion on a timer or a light sensor. These need electricity or a battery, cost the most, and add failure points that a gravity feeder does not have.
So why bother at all? One pair of rats can consume roughly 50 pounds of layer feed in a year, on top of chewing coop timber and carrying disease. Open trough feeders also lose a double-digit percentage of every bag to bill-out behaviour, where a hen grabs a beakful, walks off and drops it. For more on the general feeder category, see our tested chicken feeder roundup.
One more thing worth naming up front: a single feeder in a single location lets the top-ranking birds stand at it and block the bottom-ranking birds from eating. Keepers on BackYard Chickens raise this constantly, and it is the single most common complaint we found that has nothing to do with the feeder itself. If your flock is 10 birds or more, two stations spaced apart in the run works better than one big one.
Top 3 Best Automatic Chicken Feeders Under 100 Dollars in 2026
Suplklz 4-Port Feeder Kit
- Four rainproof gravity ports
- Includes 80mm hole saw
- Fits 5 gallon buckets and bins
RentACoop 25 lb Trough Feeder
- Galvanized sheet metal
- Magnetic lid plus rain hood
- Side view window
All 12 Feeders at a Glance (September 2026)
Every feeder below is under 100 dollars. The capacity column tells you how long a fill lasts, and the notes column tells you what each one is genuinely good at.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Suplklz DIY 4-Port Kit |
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| OverEZ 50 lb Feeder |
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| RentACoop 25 lb Trough Feeder |
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 Omlet 12 lb No Waste Feeder |
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 INNOLAND Feeder and Waterer Set |
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 MAYKI Feeder and Waterer Set |
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 Pawaboo 55 lb Feeder |
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 GADFISH 55 lb Feeder |
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 kingump 20 lb 12-Port Feeder |
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 HAYOHRT 85-120 lb Feeder |
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 KHEARPSL 10 lb Wall Mount Feeder |
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 Tgeyd 30 lb Metal Feeder |
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1. Suplklz DIY 4-Port Feeder Kit – Best Overall and Best DIY Add-On
DIY Chicken Feeder Rain Proof Poultry Feeder Port Gravity Feed Kit for Buckets, Barrels, Troughs (4 Port with holesaw)
4 rainproof ports for 5 gallon buckets
80mm hole saw included
PVC gravity feed
Pros
- Hole saw is in the box so the whole build takes about a minute
- Covered ports keep feed dry in wet weather
- Port covers close the openings at night to deter mice
- Highest rating and review count in the roundup
Cons
- You need to supply your own bucket
- Instructions are vague about hole placement and seal position
- Reduces spillage but does not eliminate it
I keep coming back to this one because it is the highest rated item in the entire group, with a 4.6 score across more than 3000 owner reviews. It is not a feeder. It is a four-port gravity feeder lid that you drill into the side of a bucket, a bin or a barrel, and that distinction matters for anyone who already owns containers.
The kit ships with a 3.15 inch hole saw, which is the reason the install takes about a minute. Drill the hole near the bottom of the side wall, seat the fitting, hang the bucket or set it on legs, and fill it. The ports are covered, so rain runs off the cap instead of into the feed.
Owners consistently report measurable feed savings compared to an open trough, because the ports keep the feed enclosed until a bird actively pulls it out. The same owners are equally consistent about the two caveats: the written instructions do not explain hole height or where the rubber seal belongs, and the design cuts spillage without ever reaching spill-proof.
There is also a fit issue with round buckets. The large ports sit a little loosely against a curved wall, and a square-sided bin or a straight-sided pail seats them more snugly. If you are buying this, buy a container with flat sides.
Who this suits best
This is the answer for a first flock on a tight budget, and for anyone with three or four buckets already standing in the shed. One kit per bucket, four ports each, and a 5 gallon bucket covers roughly four to six hens for most of a week.
It also makes the best add-on rather than the best first purchase. If you have a working galvanized feeder already, this is how you add covered ports to it without buying a whole new unit.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want a turnkey feeder with nothing to buy and nothing to drill. The whole product depends on you having a container on hand, and the install is entirely on you.
Bantam owners should also look elsewhere. The ports are sized for standard hens and larger breeds, so a small bird reaches in at an awkward angle and spills more rather than less.
2. OverEZ 50 lb Feeder – Best Value for Long Refill Intervals
OverEZ Chicken Feeder – Holds 50 Pounds of Feed – Inside or Outside Hen Coop – Large Gravity Fed Automatic Poultry Dispenser – No Waste Rainproof Design
50 pound gravity fed hopper
Three feeding ports
Wide-mouth refill top
Pros
- Refills needed only every 1 to 6 weeks depending on flock size
- Overhang and recessed channel keep rain runoff out of the feed
- Three ports so more than one bird eats at once
- UV protected and BPA free plastic
Cons
- Only three ports for the capacity
- Plastic body is lighter than metal in wind
- Takes more floor space than a bucket feeder
Fifty pounds in one freestanding unit changes the rhythm of keeping chickens. Reviewers describe filling it once a week for a small flock and roughly every two weeks for a dozen birds, which is the kind of interval that makes a two-day trip away genuinely low-stress.
The wide-mouth top is the feature I would not trade away. It sits at ground level, so you are not lifting a full 50 pound bag overhead, and the same opening is how you scoop out the leftovers at the end of the week to wash them out.
Rain protection comes from geometry rather than a gasket. The ports sit under an overhang and feed drops into a recessed channel, so water running down the outside passes over the feeding area rather than into the hopper. Owners in wet climates call this the reason their feed stays usable through storms.
It is also a plastic unit, which is the tradeoff. It will not rust and it will not dent, but in a hard wind a 5.4 pound empty feeder is more easily tipped than a galvanized metal box of the same capacity.
Who this suits best
This fits flocks of 6 to 12 hens that want the longest refill interval per dollar in the roundup. The published refill estimates run from every 4 to 6 weeks for 3 to 5 hens down to every 1 to 2 weeks for 12 to 15 hens.
It also suits anyone who dreads refilling. The single most common praise theme in the reviews is not the design at all, it is the frequency of trips to the coop that disappear.
Who should skip it
Three ports is not many. In a flock of 15, you will have a queue, and the dominant birds will hold that queue. This is not a mistake the feeder can fix; if you have a big flock, buy two units or choose a higher port count.
Coop-fitted keepers should also measure first. The listed dimensions are a 22.75 inch long footprint, which is substantial for a small mobile run.
3. RentACoop 25 lb Metal Trough Feeder – Best in Rain and Sun
RentACoop 25lb Gravity-Fed Metal Trough Feeder with Lid & Rain Cover
25 lb galvanized metal hopper
Magnetic lid and removable rain hood
Side view window
Pros
- Galvanized sheet metal with stainless steel screws
- Rain hood plus magnetic lid keep feed dry
- Window shows feed level at a glance
- Interior grate clips out for cleaning
Cons
- Not suitable for chicks
- One owner reported flow failure after about a year
- Trough style still puts some feed on the ground
Everything on this feeder is metal, and that single fact drives the rest of the review. Galvanized sheet with stainless steel fasteners is the build that shrugs off sun, rain and a decade of scraping beaks, and it is why this unit has a 4.5 rating with over 1300 reviews.
The double protection system is clever. A removable rain hood sheds standing water, and a magnetic lid drops down over the whole opening. The lid also means you can close the feeder at night, which removes the single biggest reason rats move in.
Two details make it pleasant to live with. The side window shows the feed level without opening anything, so you check it while walking past. And the interior grate unclips completely, which turns a weekly clean into a hose-down and also lets you run ducks or geese through it without the grate fouling their heads.
The trough is low to the ground by design, so feed ends up on the ground more than in a port feeder. That is the price of the open feeding line that stops dominant birds from blocking access, and most owners accept it as a fair swap.
Who this suits best
This is the pick for anyone in a climate that punishes plastic. Full metal construction, a hood and a lid mean this is the feeder most likely to still be working years from now, and the same family comes in 10 pound and 50 pound sizes if capacity does not match.
It is also good with mixed species. Pull the grate out and the trough works for ducks and other waterfowl as well as chickens, which no other unit on this list does.
Who should skip it
Chick keepers should skip it. This is a trough feeder for adult birds and it will not serve chicks, which narrows it if you raise replacements alongside your layers.
Owners who want near-zero waste should also pass. The open trough line means a measurable amount of feed reaches the ground every day, and that ground feed is exactly what draws rodents to your yard in the first place.
4. Omlet 12 lb No Waste Feeder – Best Anti-Spill Design
Omlet No Waste Chicken Feeder for Coop | 12lb Anti-Spill Poultry Feeder with 5 Feeding Ports | Feeds 6 Hens for 7 Days | Hanging or Free Standing | Weatherproof
12 lb hopper with five enclosed ports
Feeds 6 hens for 7 days
Hangs or stands on legs
Pros
- Enclosed ports stop hens from billing feed onto the ground
- Only one hen per port cuts feeding aggression
- Breaks into 3 pieces for a fast hose-down clean
- Hangs from the handle or stands on included legs
Cons
- Port height suits full size hens only
- Ports have no snap on caps for night closure
- Takes a flock a couple of days to learn it
This is the only feeder in the roundup where the feed genuinely stays inside the hopper until a bird takes it. Each of the five ports is a closed channel, so there is no trough for a hen to stand in and no floor for her to spill onto. Owners describe the spillage in this roundup as essentially zero, and several say the feeder paid for itself in feed savings alone.
Only 12 pounds though, so think about the interval rather than the number. The manufacturer rates it at six hens for seven days, which works out to about 6.5 pounds of feed a week across the flock. That is a short hop from the coop, not a fortnight away trip.
Two mounting modes are unusual here. Take the legs off and it hangs from its carry handle, which keeps the feed off the ground and away from the splash zone. Put the legs on and it stands free. The body separates into three pieces with no tools, and a hose rinse takes under a minute.
The 4.3 score comes down almost entirely to sizing. The port openings are set for full size hens, so bantams and small breeds stretch for it, and a rooster with a large comb physically will not fit into a port.
Who this suits best
This suits a small flock of standard hens, five or six birds, that live in an area where wasted feed on the ground is a real problem. It is the neatest anti-waste design under 100 dollars and the one most likely to visibly reduce your bag consumption.
It also suits mixed use. Hanging it protects the feed from floor splash and makes it harder for anything on the ground to reach, and the BPA and PFAS free plastic is easy to keep clean between batches.
Who should skip it
Bantam and mixed-breed keepers should skip it. The height is fixed and not adjustable, and the 4.3 rating is largely a sizing penalty. If your flock is mostly small birds, the kingump unit in this roundup has adjustable heights.
Anyone with a rat problem should know the ports have no snap-on caps. You will need to bring it inside each night or drape something over it, which is the one thing a sealed feeder is supposed to solve for you.
5. INNOLAND Feeder and Waterer Set – Best Starter Bundle
INNOLAND Chicken Feeder and Waterer Set – 3 Gallon/26.5 Pounds
26.5 lb feeder plus 3 gallon waterer
Three feed and four water ports
Four bonus long legs included
Pros
- Feeding and watering for a flock of up to 12 in one purchase
- Rainproof feeder top and anti-drip water cups
- Pre-drilled buckets give a roughly 3 minute setup
- Four long legs let you raise it as birds grow
Cons
- Actual feed capacity runs below the stated 26.5 pounds
- Anti-drip cups can leak if knocked
- Washers on the waterer are reported to break
If you are starting a flock and running nothing at all, this solves feeding and watering in one box. A 26.5 pound feeder bucket and a 3 gallon waterer bucket, rated for up to 12 birds for about a week, is a genuinely complete starting kit for a very small budget.
Both buckets are pre-drilled, so installation is genuinely quick. You have three mounting options across the two units: an S-hook hang, a wall mount, or standing on the included legs. The four extra long legs are the detail I like most, because they let you raise the ports as the flock grows without buying a new unit.
This is also a current revision, and the changes are real: rubber-secured protective caps over the lids, enlarged feed ports, a wider rainproof top and wider support legs than the previous version. The caps are the part that matters most, because closed lids are what keep rodents out.
The 4.0 rating is the lowest here, and the reason is the waterer rather than the feeder. The feed side performs well. The anti-drip cups are the weak point, and birds do knock them out of alignment, which leaves a puddle inside the bucket and eventually means birds without water.
Who this suits best
This suits a brand new keeper who needs both halves of the setup and would otherwise make two separate purchases. The value is the whole point, and for four to ten birds it is hard to argue with.
It also suits coop owners short on wall space, since the wall mount option keeps both buckets flat against a wall and out of the birds way.
Who should skip it
Do not leave the waterer unattended for a weekend on the strength of this set. Leaking cups are the most common complaint in the reviews, and that is a problem you do not want to discover on day two of a trip.
Also expect less than 26.5 pounds in practice. Buyers report the real capacity falls noticeably short of the label, so plan your refill rhythm around the lower number.
6. MAYKI Feeder and Waterer Set – Best for Cold Winters
MAYKI Chicken Feeder and Waterer Set, 3 Gallon/26 LB No Waste Poultry Feeding System with Hanging Option, Automatic Coop Accessories for 10 Hens, Upgraded Feeder Port Water Cup, BPA-Free Winter Design
26 lb feeder with 3 gallon waterer
Rated for water heater pads to 248F
Four in one mounting options
Pros
- Only set in the roundup verified for heater pad use
- Anti-perch cone keeps feed clean and dry
- Four mounting methods fit almost any coop
- BPA free plastic resists cracking
Cons
- Feed and water are separate units to position and fill
- Pre-drilled install takes a few minutes
- 4.1 rating sits below the feeder only options
The thing that separates this set from the INNOLAND one is temperature. This is the only feeder and waterer combination in the roundup whose plastic is rated to sit against a water heater pad up to 248F, which is what you need if your winters freeze and you intend to run a heated waterer.
The feed side uses no-waste ports plus an anti-perch cone, so birds are nudged away from sitting on the lid and fouling the feed. The rating is lower at 4.1, but the complaint profile is mild: owners mostly note that the feed and water pieces are separate components to position and that installation is not instant.
Mounting is the strongest feature. Four methods in one kit means chain, S-hook, fence bracket or wall anchors, so it adapts to a wooden run, a wire run or a plastic-walled coop without a second purchase. The handle and base are shaped for carrying a filled unit from the shed.
Sized for up to 10 hens, this is the middle ground of the two combo sets: more birds than the INNOLAND, less water capacity to babysit, and a cleaner cold-weather story than anything else in the roundup.
Who this suits best
This suits anyone north of the frost line who wants a single purchase covering both needs and plans to use a heated waterer. Nothing else in this price range is verified for that, and plastic that is not rated for a pad will crack.
It also suits keepers with unusual coop geometry, since four mounting methods cover more setups than the two or three offered by the other combo set.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want the highest rating or the biggest verified capacity. At 4.1 stars it sits in the lower half of the roundup, and the reported drawbacks are about durability over time rather than any single failure.
It is also a two-piece setup, not one integrated unit. If you prefer one box that does everything, the INNOLAND set is the more compact option despite the waterer complaints.
7. Pawaboo 55 lb Feeder – Best for 20 Birds and Up
Pawaboo 55LBS Large Capacity Automatic Chicken Feeder
55 pound galvanized steel hopper
Seven ports with spill trays
Lockable lid and viewing window
Pros
- 55 pound capacity with a feed level viewing window
- Seven ports let many birds eat without crowding
- External trays under each port catch spilled feed
- Lockable lid and sealed ports deter rodents
Cons
- Bulky 20 inch footprint uses a lot of coop space
- 14.77 pounds empty is heavy when full
- Adjustable legs are fiddly on soft ground
When a flock passes about 15 birds, port count starts to matter more than capacity. Seven ports means seven birds can eat at the same time, which is the difference between a flock that eats calmly and one that spends its day queuing while the top-ranking hen eats her fill and walks off.
Capacity is 55 pounds, or 9.5 gallons, and there is a viewing window on the side so you can time refills instead of lifting the lid and looking. The lockable lid is the feature that makes it feel like a real feeder rather than a bucket with ports.
Each port has an external tray beneath it. Feed that escapes the port lands in the tray instead of the dirt, and owners report that the trays are what actually moved the needle on their waste numbers. The sloped top stops birds perching on the lid and drains rain quickly.
The build is aluminum coated galvanized steel, so it resists rust, weather and chewing, and the legs adjust tool-free between 5.9 and 10.6 inches. The catch is physical. At 14.77 pounds empty and over 20 inches across, this is a feeder you place once and rarely move.
Who this suits best
This suits flocks of 15 to 25 hens in a permanent run with room to spare. Seven simultaneous ports plus a lockable lid is the best combination of pest protection and shared access at this capacity level in the roundup.
It also suits anyone who already has heavy feed habits and wants to stop lifting. Fifty-five pounds is a serious interval between trips to the bag.
Who should skip it
Small flocks should skip it. Nine or ten hens will not empty 55 pounds quickly, and a 20 inch metal box is a lot of real estate in a compact run for capacity you will not use.
Mobility matters here too. If you need to move the coop or shuffle the run around, the empty weight and the rotating base will frustrate you more than the capacity helps.
8. GADFISH 55 lb Feeder – Most Feeding Ports
GADFISH 55 lbs Large Capacity Automatic Chicken Feeder – 8 Feeding Ports, No Waste Chicken Feeder, Height-Adjustable Legs & Secure Locking Lid for Chickens, Ducks & Poultry
55 pound galvanized sheet hopper
Eight feeding ports
Tool-free rotating support legs
Pros
- Eight ports feed eight birds at the same time
- Rotating legs adjust height with no tools
- Wider base resists sinking in mud
- Conical lid stops perching and sheds rain
Cons
- 16.1 pounds empty is heavy to reposition
- Eight ports concentrate feed at the rim
- A small group reports port and lid wear
This has the most feeding ports of anything in the roundup, at eight, and it holds the same 55 pounds as the Pawaboo. If your problem is pecking order rather than refill frequency, port count is the number to shop on, and this is where the shopping ends.
The base is the sleeper feature. The support legs rotate to change height with no tools, and the enlarged base area spreads the weight so the unit does not tip or sink into soft ground after rain. Owners on muddy runs call that out as the reason it stays level while the ports keep working.
The conical metal lid does two jobs. Birds cannot perch on it comfortably, which stops them fouling the feed, and it sheds water fast after a storm, which matters for an outdoor-only feeder. The extended ports are angled to reduce what escapes.
It is the heaviest empty unit here at 16.1 pounds, and the feed itself adds a lot more. Moving it full is genuinely awkward, so plan its position before you fill it rather than after.
Who this suits best
This suits a flock of 16 to 24 birds where you need the widest feeding access available under 100 dollars. Eight ports means no queue at feeding time, which reduces the pecking and feather damage that comes with a single narrow station.
It also suits wet and muddy runs, since the wide base is the most stable in the roundup and the conical lid clears water without any seal to fail.
Who should skip it
Do not plan on repositioning it often. At 16.1 pounds empty, this is the heaviest feeder we covered, and lifting one that also holds a large quantity of feed is a two-person job on a bad day.
Owners should also expect a little rim spillage. With eight ports drawing from a shared ring of feed, some surface spill is normal, and a small group of reviews reports wear around the port and lid hardware over time.
9. kingump 20 lb 12-Port Feeder – Best Adjustable Height
Metal Chicken Feeder No Waste – 20LB Large Chicken Feeder with 12 Ports & 4 Adjustable Heights Tripod Stand, Automatic Hanging Poultry Feeder, Rainproof for Backyard Chickens & Small Flocks
20 lb metal hopper with 12 ports
Four tripod height settings
Chain hang or tripod stand
Pros
- Twelve ports let more than ten hens eat at once
- Reinforced 5mm tripod has a low center of gravity
- Sealed lid kept feed dry through a storm
- Tool-free assembly in minutes
Cons
- Ports have no lip so some feed lands on the ground
- Lid snaps on lightly and comes off one-handed
- Paint scratches during leg assembly
Twelve ports on a 20 pound hopper is the highest port density in this roundup, and it is the design that answers the dominance problem most directly. More than ten hens can reach feed at the same time, so the bottom-ranking birds are not standing around behind three hungry ones.
The tripod is the reason to keep reading. It is a reinforced 5mm metal stand with four height settings and a low center of gravity, so it does not tip in wind, and a second option lets you hang the whole unit from a chain if your run has no floor space at all.
Owners confirm the weather sealing, with one reporting the feed stayed dry straight through a storm. The dark green powder coat looks good in a yard, and assembly is tool-free and quick, which matters for something this frame-heavy.
The honest weakness is the no-waste claim. With 12 large ports and no retaining lip, heads push feed out and it rings the base on the ground. That is the single most common complaint across the reviews, and it is why this scores 4.4 rather than higher despite the port count.
Who this suits best
This suits mixed-age flocks. Four tripod heights let you bring the ports down for pullets and bantams and back up for adult hens, which is the one adjustment most fixed-height feeders in this roundup simply cannot offer.
It also suits owners who want maximum feeding access in a small footprint. Twenty pounds across 12 ports is a lot of bird per pound of hopper, and the chain-hanging option frees up floor space in an indoor run.
Who should skip it
Skip it if spilled feed is your main worry. The ports are deep but unlipped, and multiple owners report feed scattered around the base despite the product name. In a yard with a rodent problem, that ground feed works against you.
Two smaller things to know: the lid snaps on lightly and comes off with one hand, so you will want to check it is seated after every refill. And the paint can scratch during leg assembly, so cover bare metal before it weathers.
10. HAYOHRT 85-120 lb Feeder – Highest Capacity
HAYOHRT 85-120LBS Capacity Chicken Feeder No Waste 10-Ports Automatic Large Poultry Feeder with Latch & Handle for Chickens Bantams Pheasants Poultry Coop Weatherproof
85 to 120 pound metal hopper
Ten extended no-waste ports
Lockable top cover
Pros
- Largest capacity in the roundup at 85 to 120 pounds
- Ten ports for a large flock
- Lockable cover deters weasels and raccoons
- Metal body outlasts plastic in sun and weather
Cons
- Assembly takes 60 to 90 minutes for a first time builder
- Sits low so turkeys need blocks underneath
- Ports could be larger for tall combs
This is the biggest hopper we found under 100 dollars, rated at 85 to 120 pounds, and one owner measured the result directly: feed use dropped from 40 pounds every six days to about 20 pounds over three weeks with the feeder in place. That is the kind of before-and-after number that makes the case for a sealed feeder on its own.
Ten extended ports keep the feed enclosed and shaded, and the top cover locks. Locking is a step beyond the rest of the roundup, because the threats it stops are weasels and raccoons rather than just mice, and those are the animals that actually pull a lid open.
The metal body resists sun, weathering, biting, rust and rot, and it hoses out cleanly. Side handles make repositioning manageable. A screwdriver ships in the box, which matters less than you would think given what is coming next.
Budget real time for assembly. Owners put the build at 60 to 90 minutes for a careful first-timer, metal edges are sharp during the process, and the lid may need a small bend with pliers to sit flush. If the feeder is not level, the lid fights you.
Who this suits best
This suits a working flock or a multi-family setup where the feed bill is the thing you are trying to cut. One owner ran it for six months in an enclosed pen and reported no pest access at all, which is the strongest rodent result in the roundup.
It also suits anyone who genuinely wants to refill monthly rather than weekly. At roughly 30 days of feed for about 10 adult chickens, this is the longest interval any sub-100 dollar feeder offers.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you need it this week. A 60 to 90 minute build with sharp metal edges and a lid that needs adjusting is not a Saturday morning project for an impatient person.
Port height is the other limit. It sits low to the ground, so turkeys need blocks or bricks underneath, and a rooster with a tall comb will scrape it against the opening.
11. KHEARPSL 10 lb Wall Mount Feeder – Best for Small Coops
KHEARPSL Galvanized Wall Mount Chicken Feeder No Waste Hanging Chicken Feeder with Lid Weatherproof Metal Automatic Poultry Feeder Trough Food Dispenser for Outside Coop (10 lbs)
10 lb galvanized metal hopper
Wall mount or hang
One year manufacturer warranty
Pros
- Galvanized metal with powder coating for outdoor life
- No assembly so it works straight out of the box
- Two pre-drilled holes make wall mounting quick
- Lid keeps feed dry and cuts rodent interest
Cons
- 10 lb means the most refills in the roundup
- Trough style still puts feed on the ground
- Only two mounting screws and no feed shovel in the box
This is the smallest feeder in the roundup at 10 pounds, and for a two-bird backyard flock or a mobile run that is genuinely the right size. A 4.5 rating with 140 reviews on a product this basic tells you the simple stuff is done properly.
There is nothing to build. The back panel has two pre-drilled holes, two screws ship in the box, and you hang it on a wall or from a hook. At 1.87 kg empty it is also the easiest unit here to lift, empty or full, which matters in a small space.
The galvanized metal with a powder-coated surface is what earns the rating. It is built to sit outdoors through seasons, and the lid keeps the feed dry and fresh while also reducing how much a rodent notices it. A one year manufacturer warranty comes with it.
The cost of the small size is refill frequency. Ten pounds disappears fast with more than three or four birds, and since this is a trough style, some feed still reaches the ground as birds reach in. For a small flock that is a manageable trade; for a flock of ten it is not.
Who this suits best
This suits a first flock of two to four hens, a mobile run, or a coop where wall space is the resource you are short on. Wall mounting keeps the feed off the floor and out of the bedding, which is exactly what you want in a small footprint.
It is also the one to buy if you want a feeder working the same afternoon with no tools, no instructions and no assembly time.
Who should skip it
Skip it for anything above four or five birds. Refilling 10 pounds every other day is the opposite of the point of an automatic feeder, and at that flock size you would be better served by a 30 pound or larger unit.
Also note what is not in the box: no feed shovel, and only two screws. If you wall mount it, check the screws are suitable for your wall material.
12. Tgeyd 30 lb Metal Feeder – Best Adjustable Metal Box
Tgeyd 30 lb Chicken Feeder with 6 No-Waste Ports – Heavy-Duty Outdoor Metal Feeder with Adjustable Height, Locking Lid & Riveted Handles – Rustproof Feed Box for Poultry & Backyard Chickens
30 lb galvanized metal hopper
Six no-waste ports
Adjustable height stand
Pros
- 30 pounds cuts refill trips for most backyard flocks
- Six ports keep feed contained and limit scattering
- Galvanized metal is rustproof for year round outdoor use
- Locking hinged lid keeps feed dry
Cons
- Only six ports for a 30 pound capacity
- 9.5 pounds empty is awkward to move when full
- Middle ratings hint at port flow and lid seal wear
Thirty pounds is the capacity that fits the largest group of backyard keepers, and the adjustable height stand is what makes this one work for a flock that changes. Ports come down for chicks and pullets and go back up for adult hens as the flock matures.
The six ports are covered no-waste ports, which means the feed sits inside the box and drops into a channel rather than into an open trough. Less feed reaches the ground, and less feed on the ground means fewer reasons for a rat to investigate your coop.
The locking hinged lid is the detail that sets it apart from the other metal boxes in this size range. Feed stays dry in a downpour, and closing the lid before dark removes the overnight window that rodents exploit. Riveted side handles make it liftable even when full.
At 4.2 stars the reviews cluster in the middle rather than at the top. The recurring notes are that six ports is modest for a 30 pound hopper, and that the unit is heavy to reposition once filled.
Who this suits best
This suits flocks of 8 to 15 birds that need a step up from a small feeder without moving to a 50 pound unit. It is also the best choice here for a flock with birds at different heights, since the stand adjusts for the whole range.
It suits year-round outdoor runs too. Galvanized metal that resists rust is a better answer for a feeder living under an open shelter than any plastic unit in the roundup.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you have more than about 15 birds. Six ports feeding a 30 pound hopper means a visible queue, and a queue means the dominant birds eat first and the bottom of the pecking order does not.
Port flow and lid seal are the two things a small share of buyers rate down over time. If the top rating matters more to you than the adjustable stand, the RentACoop metal unit earns its 4.5 with a much bigger review base.
How to Choose an Automatic Chicken Feeder Under 100 Dollars in 2026
Every feeder here dispenses feed on gravity or bird weight alone. None needs electricity, and none of the sub-100 dollar options reach the rodent sealing of a proper treadle feeder, so the buying decision is really about capacity, port count and how much mess you tolerate on the ground.
Work out capacity from flock size first
A standard hen eats roughly a quarter to a third of a pound of layer pellets a day, and that number drives everything. Multiply by your bird count, then divide into the hopper size to get days per fill.
2 to 4 hens – 10 pounds gives you about a week. The 10 pound wall mount unit is the right size here.
5 to 8 hens – 20 to 30 pounds covers roughly a week to ten days. The 20 pound 12-port and 30 pound metal units fit this range.
9 to 12 hens – 50 pounds is the sweet spot, and you want at least six ports so the flock is not queuing.
13 to 20 hens – 55 to 120 pounds, and treat port count as the priority number. Twelve ports beats ten ports at the same capacity.
Count ports before you count pounds
More ports means less pecking order pressure, less feather damage and fewer birds standing in the rain doing nothing. Eight to twelve ports is the range where a large flock feeds calmly, and it is the single spec most worth paying up for within this budget.
Trade-offs follow from port count. Twelve ports on a 20 pound hopper means feed gets pushed out of the openings. Three ports on a 50 pound hopper means a queue. Match the two numbers to your flock rather than buying the biggest hopper you can find.
Do the rodent math before you buy
A single pair of rats eats roughly 50 pounds of feed a year, plus eggs, plus damage to coop timber. Against that number, even a modest feeder pays for itself inside a year if it cuts what reaches the ground.
But be realistic about the price band. Almost every feeder under 100 dollars is open or has ports that a determined rat can work at. The features that genuinely help are a lockable lid, sealed ports and conical or sloped tops that deny perching. Bring the feeder in overnight or cover it, and that remaining gap closes.
Know why the premium treadle feeders are missing
True treadle feeders open only under roughly 1.5 pounds of stepping pressure, which no rat can produce, and that is a better seal than anything we could find under the cap. Every one of them sits well above 100 dollars, so they are outside this list by design rather than by oversight.
What you give up for staying under the cap is the fully sealed night-time feed. What you gain is capacity, port count and weather sealing that most keepers will never notice they are missing.
Fix a feeder that stops feeding
Feed bridging is the most common complaint in the whole category, and keepers on BackYard Chickens describe the same three fixes again and again. Start by cleaning the outlet, because a compacted crust of fine feed is usually the whole problem.
Next, wax the inside of the outlet so feed slides instead of catching. If flow is still intermittent, enlarge the opening with a hole saw, working up one hole at a time and stopping when the flow looks right. Duct tape over an enlarged port is a valid last resort.
Place it well, then train the flock
Put the feeder in shade, off bare dirt, and well away from the roost, because the combination of shade and elevation cuts spoilage and contamination more than any feeder feature does. In an enclosed run, hang it rather than standing it, if the model allows.
For first use, scatter a handful of feed on the ground under the ports and let the birds find it. Within a day or two the bolder hens will be pecking at the ports, and the rest follow. Keepers report a flock typically learns a new feeder within a couple of days, and some within a single morning.
Finally, for a look at the wider setup, our premium automatic feeder guide covers the models above this cap, and our automatic pet feeder picks cover the scheduling problem for keepers travelling with birds indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are automatic chicken feeders worth it?
For most backyard flocks, yes. A sealed or ported feeder cuts the feed that ends up on the ground, which is the same feed rats eat, and it removes the daily scoop. The saving is smaller than marketing suggests, so the honest case is convenience plus pest reduction rather than a dramatic drop in your feed bill. Expect the payback to take most of a year.
What is the best automatic chicken feeder under 100 dollars?
The Suplklz 4-port kit is the strongest all-round pick, with a 4.6 rating across more than 3000 reviews, but it needs a bucket you already own. If you want a complete unit instead, the OverEZ 50 lb feeder gives the longest refill interval in the roundup, and the RentACoop 25 lb metal trough feeder is the most weatherproof.
How do I feed chickens while on vacation?
Fill the feeder to capacity on departure day, close or lock the lid, and check that the waterer has enough capacity for the same number of days. Two feeders spaced apart in the run is safer than one, because dominant birds block access at a single station. Ask a neighbour to check in on day two. Keep the feed in a sealed metal container indoors so a raid on the bag cannot undo your plans.
Do no-waste feeders really stop rats?
They reduce the invitation more than they block the entry. A feeder with sealed or lockable ports removes the easy access that draws rats in the first place, and enclosed channels cut the ground feed that keeps them coming back. None of the feeders under 100 dollars is a true treadle, so none is fully rat proof. Closing the lid at night does most of the remaining work.
How many chickens can one automatic feeder feed?
Match the flock to the ports, not the pounds. Three ports suits up to about four hens. Six to eight ports suits 8 to 12 hens. Ten to twelve ports suits 15 to 20 hens, where queueing becomes visible. For a hen eating roughly a quarter to a third of a pound a day, a 30 pound feeder covers 8 to 12 hens for about a week, and a 50 pound unit covers a similar flock for two to three weeks.
The Bottom Line: Best Automatic Chicken Feeders in 2026
Every automatic chicken feeder in this roundup sits under 100 dollars, and the category divides cleanly. The Suplklz 4-port kit is the best automatic chicken feeder under 100 dollars overall, with the highest rating and by far the largest review base, provided you already own a bucket or bin to drill it into.
For a complete unit with the longest refill interval, the OverEZ 50 lb feeder is the value pick. In bad weather, the RentACoop 25 lb galvanized metal feeder wins on build quality. For the cleanest anti-spill design in a small flock, the Omlet 12 lb unit is hard to argue with, as long as your birds are full size.
What you trade away under this cap is the fully sealed treadle mechanism. Close the lid at night, run two stations instead of one when your flock passes 12 birds, and the gap costs you very little. Our premium automatic chicken feeder guide covers the models above the cap when you are ready to step up.