How to Build a Rat-Proof Chicken Feeder

Rats are very resourceful little pests, and it's inevitable that they will somehow find their way into your chickens' feed supply. Traps and poisons are one way to eliminate your rat problem, but using these methods also poses significant risk to your livestock as they may be injured by a rat trap or could accidentally ingest rat poison. A better way to keep rats out of chicken feed is to build your own rat-proof feeder. With a bit of preparation and a few basic household materials, you can easily construct a solid feeder that rats can't get to.

Things You'll Need

  • Aluminum wire, about 5 feet
  • Screwdriver, awl or ice pick
  • Lighter
  • Washer at least 1/2 inch outer diameter
  • Plastic plant drip tray or children's Frisbee at least 6 inches in diameter
  • Chicken feed holder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Thread the aluminum wire through the washer. Wrap the wire several times around the washer to fix the washer about a foot from one end of the wire.

    • 2

      Heat the screwdriver with the lighter. Gently push the screwdriver through the center of the plastic drip tray or Frisbee to make a small hole.

    • 3

      Thread the long end of the wire through the drip tray. Allow the drip tray to drop until it hits the washer, which should support it. The drip tray will prevent rats from climbing down the wire and into the chicken feeder.

    • 4

      Attach the chicken feed holder to the short end of the wire, beneath the drip tray.

    • 5

      Secure the wire above the drip tray to a suitable beam or frame. The chicken feeder should sit sufficiently high off the ground that your chickens, but not rats, can reach it.