Feeders & Waterers
RentACoop vs. Grandpa's vs. Omlet No Waste Feeder
Start with the smallest or least confident bird in your flock, then consider capacity. RentACoop adds treadle adjustment; Grandpa's offers a standard metal treadle; Omlet avoids the moving-lid training step.
RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder — 25 lb
25 lb. Check bird age, treadle setting and training instructions.
See 25 lb feeder on Amazon
Grandpa's Standard Treadle Feeder — 20 lb
20 lb standard model. The 40 lb large version is a different purchase.
See 20 lb feeder on Amazon
Omlet No Waste Chicken Feeder — 12 lb
12 lb and five ports, without a lid for birds to activate.
See 12 lb feeder on AmazonEvidence: published specifications and instructions, checked September 27, 2026. We have not run these feeders side by side or measured their waste reduction. Manufacturer sources are linked below.
Full spec comparison
| Model and seller link | Access mechanism | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder — 25 lb See 25 lb feeder on Amazon | Treadle (weight-activated) — galvanized sheet metal, stainless-steel hardware | Owners who can supervise treadle training and check that every bird can operate the lid. Follow the manual's age limits for bantams. |
| Grandpa's Standard Treadle Feeder — 20 lb See 20 lb feeder on Amazon | Treadle (weight-activated) — galvanized steel body, alloy treadle plate | Adult flocks suited to a standard treadle, with an owner available to supervise training and check access. |
| Omlet No Waste Chicken Feeder — 12 lb See 12 lb feeder on Amazon | Gravity/port — hooded feeding ports contain feed without a moving treadle part | Owners who want less feed waste without the multi-week treadle training process, in areas without heavy rodent pressure. |
Which feeder should you buy?
| Your situation | Starting point | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| You want a trough that closes between visits | RentACoop or Grandpa's | Every bird can activate the treadle and finish eating safely |
| You have smaller adult birds | Compare RentACoop adjustment with Omlet port access | Age limits, feeder height and access for the smallest bird |
| You want to avoid treadle training | Omlet's 12 lb port feeder | Port access and pest management around the feeding area |
| Birds queue or a dominant hen guards food | Assess another station before a bigger hopper | Simultaneous access matters separately from storage capacity |
| You specifically need 40 lb capacity | Research a larger model | Links here select Grandpa's 20 lb and RentACoop 25 lb |
These are selection criteria, not a test-derived ranking. If your current feeder works and feed stays dry with little spill, upgrading may not be worthwhile. See our broader feeder guide for reducing waste before buying.
Mechanism: treadle vs. gravity/port
A treadle platform opens a covered trough under a bird's weight. Closing it between visits limits access, but a light setting or a training position that leaves it open changes that protection. Do not assume that a feeder suitable for a small bantam automatically excludes every rodent.
Omlet's hooded ports have no moving treadle. That simplifies initial access but does not create a weight barrier. Follow up by observing whether spilled feed, pests or competition remain.
Rodent resistance and flock size
We cannot assign a measured winner for rodent resistance without a controlled trial. Treat the lid/port distinction as one part of an exclusion plan: secure stored feed, clear spills and inspect openings. Our predator-protection guide and hardware guide cover the surrounding setup.
A hopper's capacity does not tell you how many birds can eat at once. Consumption also varies. Check access and inspect feed and water daily, even with a large hopper. Pair the feeding setup with a winter water routine or compare heated waterers if suitable power is available.
The feeders, one by one
RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder — 25 lb
An adjustable treadle provides control over the force needed to open the lid. A lighter setting helps smaller birds but can also make access easier for pests.
Linked size: 25 lb in the linked model; larger models and extensions are separate purchases
- Adjustable treadle tension — one of the few treadle feeders that can be set light enough for bantams
- Included training bolts and a documented 2-week training process
- Expandable capacity (up to 70lb) via add-on extensions
- Covered trough limits access when the treadle is closed
- More expensive than a basic gravity feeder
- Like all treadle feeders, needs a training period before birds use it reliably
- The manufacturer's own manual sets a higher minimum age for bantams on this feeder (20 weeks) than for standard-size birds (12 weeks)
- Loosening the treadle enough for bantams also makes it easier for a rat to trigger — the bantam fix is a real tradeoff against rodent exclusion, not a free adjustment
Source: RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder — 25 lb manufacturer specifications; setup instructions. Checked September 27, 2026. Specifications are manufacturer claims, not our test results.
RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder — 25 lb
Feeder
$$ see current price on Amazon
Linked model: 25 lb feeder.
See 25 lb feeder on Amazon (paid link)Grandpa's Standard Treadle Feeder — 20 lb
A covered metal treadle feeder for owners who want feed access to close between visits. This comparison links to the standard 20 lb model, not the larger 40 lb version.
Linked size: 20 lb standard model linked here; the 40 lb large model is a different purchase
- Galvanized metal body with a covered feed trough
- 20 lb capacity in the standard model
- Treadle closes access to the trough when birds step away
- Requires supervised training before the flock relies on it
- Check that lighter birds can operate the treadle
- The linked 20 lb model does not provide the capacity of the separate 40 lb version
Source: Grandpa's Standard Treadle Feeder — 20 lb manufacturer specifications. Checked September 27, 2026. Specifications are manufacturer claims, not our test results.
Grandpa's Standard Treadle Feeder — 20 lb
Feeder
$$ see current price on Amazon
Linked model: 20 lb standard feeder.
See 20 lb feeder on Amazon (paid link)Omlet No Waste Chicken Feeder — 12 lb
Hooded ports help contain feed without a treadle for birds to operate. Choose it for simpler access; the open ports do not provide weight-based pest exclusion.
Linked size: 12 lb with five ports in the linked model; 6 lb and 25 lb models are separate purchases
- Hooded ports without a weight-activated lid
- Anti-topple tripod base, locking lid, visible feed-level window
- Comes apart for easy cleaning; BPA/PFA-free plastic
- Five feeding ports in the linked 12 lb model
- Gravity/port feeders are generally less rodent-resistant than a true treadle — hooded ports reduce spill but don't require body weight to open the way a treadle does
- Plastic construction, not metal — lighter duty than the steel treadle feeders
Source: Omlet No Waste Chicken Feeder — 12 lb manufacturer specifications; setup instructions. Checked September 27, 2026. Specifications are manufacturer claims, not our test results.
Omlet No Waste Chicken Feeder — 12 lb
Feeder
see current price on Amazon
Linked model: 12 lb, five-port feeder.
See 12 lb feeder on Amazon (paid link)Frequently asked questions
Which is best for bantams?
Check access before choosing by brand. RentACoop offers treadle adjustment, but its 25 lb manual specifies bantams aged at least 20 weeks. Omlet has no treadle threshold, although feeder height and port access still need checking. Observe every bird eating.
Which is the most rodent-resistant?
The treadles close the trough between visits; Omlet's ports remain accessible without a weight threshold. That is a design difference, not a measured resistance score. We have not tested these products against rodents.
Does the Grandpa's link buy the 40 lb large feeder?
No. Our link selects the standard 20 lb feeder. If you need the large 40 lb model, verify that exact variant with the seller before ordering.
Which needs the least training?
Omlet avoids teaching birds to operate a treadle. They still need to find and use its ports. Both treadle designs require a supervised transition following the model's instructions.
Related guides
- Best no-waste chicken feeders — spill reduction and mechanisms.
- Chicken coop essentials for beginners — feeding and water before upgrades.
- Winterize a chicken coop — the wider setup.\n