Best Chick Feeders
Updated How we research
Chicks waste feed enthusiastically, scratching it out of open dishes and then standing in it. A feeder that limits access to the feed itself, rather than presenting it in an open pan, saves money and keeps crumble clean enough to eat. What varies is the feeding style, how many chicks can eat at once, whether the base sits flat on shavings, and how simple it is to refill without disturbing the brooder. We looked at spillage, how well each design resists being perched on and fouled, feeding positions per unit, and how the parts come apart for washing. Screw on jar feeders suit small hatches and cost very little. Long troughs with dividers suit bigger batches that all want to eat at the same time. Port style feeders suit keepers moving chicks toward a grown up feeding setup.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Potchen 2 Pcs Slide-Top Galvanized Metal Chicken Feeder Trough with Removable Top, Multi-Hole Tray, 12 Inch. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Chick Feeder and Waterer Set, 3 Pack 12-Hole No-Spill Poultry Feeders with 1L Automatic Chicken Waterer. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.2/10.
- Solid build:Little Giant Plastic Poultry Feeder Base, 20 Inches, Heavy Duty Feeding Tray with Holes, Chicken Feeder Trough, Red. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 7.4/10.
- Feature-rich:MACGOAL Flip Top Poultry Feeder Trough, Small Chick Feeder, No Waste Spill Proof Plastic Chicken Feeder, Red. Features score of 7/10, overall 7.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Potchen 2 Pcs Slide-Top Galvanized Metal Chicken Feeder Trough with Removable Top, Multi-Hole Tray, 12 Inch
Potchen's 2 Pcs 12 Inch galvanized metal slide-top chick feeder troughs with removable multi-hole tops.
Our score8.6/10Budget
Chick Feeder and Waterer Set, 3 Pack 12-Hole No-Spill Poultry Feeders with 1L Automatic Chicken Waterer
A 3 Pack of 12-Hole no-spill chick feeders with a 1L automatic waterer, a combined feed and water brooder set.
Our score8.2/10Budget
#1Potchen's 2 Pcs 12 Inch galvanized metal slide-top chick feeder troughs with removable multi-hole tops.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Galvanized metal lasts longer than plastic troughs and resists pecking
- + Removable slide top makes deep cleaning quick and thorough
- + 2 Pcs lets you feed a larger brood without crowding
- - Metal edges can be sharp and should be checked before use
- - 12 Inch length may crowd a big brood at mealtimes
#2A 3 Pack of 12-Hole no-spill chick feeders with a 1L automatic waterer, a combined feed and water brooder set.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 1L waterer comes with the feeders, so the brooder is fully equipped
- + 3 Pack of 12-Hole feeders lets many chicks eat at the same time
- + No-spill design keeps brooder bedding cleaner
- - 1L waterer is small and needs refilling often with a big brood
- - Generic set, so plastic thickness may feel light
#3MACGOAL's red flip top plastic chick feeder trough, a no waste, spill proof feeder for baby chicks in the brooder.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Flip top lid lets you refill quickly while keeping chicks out of feed
- + Spill proof trough reduces chicks scratching starter onto the floor
- + Red plastic attracts chicks to the feeder in their first days
- - Small trough needs frequent refills as chicks grow fast
- - Lightweight plastic can be tipped by older, active chicks
#4A yellow flip top plastic feeder trough for baby chicks, quail and pheasant, spill proof and low waste.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Suits quail and pheasant as well as chicks for game bird keepers
- + Feeding holes limit how much feed chicks can flick out
- + Flip top hinge makes cleaning and topping up simple
- - Check the hinge feels solid since it takes daily flipping
- - Yellow plastic can stain from medicated starter or wet feed
#5Little Giant's 20 Inches red plastic feeder base with holes, a heavy duty tray that pairs with a feed jar.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 20 Inches base gives more feeding room than small chick troughs
- + Heavy duty plastic handles daily use in brooders and coops
- + Little Giant is a trusted poultry equipment brand
- - Base only, so a compatible hopper or jar may be needed
- - Wide tray takes more floor space inside a small brooder
#6A 2 Pcs set of 8 Inch plastic flip-top chick feeders, spill-proof troughs for baby chicks and quail.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + 8 Inch size fits easily inside compact brooder boxes
- + Two feeders help timid chicks get fed without being pushed away
- + Flip-top design keeps droppings out of the starter feed
- - Short troughs empty fast once chicks are a few weeks old
- - Plastic hinges can loosen with repeated rough handling
#7GIGULES no-waste feeder ports bundled with waterer parts, a combined DIY set for building both feed and water stations.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Feeder and waterer parts in one set save ordering two separate kits
- + No-waste port style stops hens from raking pellets onto the ground
- + Lets you build matching feed and water buckets for a tidy coop setup
- - Check the number of ports and cups before ordering
- - Buckets are not part of the kit, so budget for two food-grade containers
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Metal edges can be sharp and should be checked before use (Potchen 2 Pcs Slide-Top Galvanized Metal...)
- 1L waterer is small and needs refilling often with a big brood (Chick Feeder and Waterer Set, 3 Pack 12-Hole...)
- Small trough needs frequent refills as chicks grow fast (MACGOAL Flip Top Poultry Feeder Trough, Small...)
- Check the hinge feels solid since it takes daily flipping (Flip Top Poultry Quail Pheasant Feeder...)
- Base only, so a compatible hopper or jar may be needed (Little Giant Plastic Poultry Feeder Base, 20...)
- Short troughs empty fast once chicks are a few weeks old (2 Pcs Chick Feeder Trough, 8 Inch Plastic...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among chick feeders?
Potchen 2 Pcs Slide-Top Galvanized Metal Chicken Feeder Trough with Removable Top, Multi-Hole Tray, 12 Inch is our top overall pick. Potchen's 2 Pcs 12 Inch galvanized metal slide-top chick feeder troughs with removable multi-hole tops. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Chick Feeder and Waterer Set, 3 Pack 12-Hole No-Spill Poultry Feeders with 1L Automatic Chicken Waterer is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. A 3 Pack of 12-Hole no-spill chick feeders with a 1L automatic waterer, a combined feed and water brooder set.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Chicken Coop Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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