Feeder Size Calculator
Enter how many birds you keep, what kind they are and how many days you want between refills. The calculator gives the feeder capacity, the feed used a day, the trough length and how many hanging feeders to use.
- Capacity between refills
- Trough space
- Hens, ducks, quail
Feed use goes up in cold weather and when hens are laying hard. Round up.
A feeder has to hold enough food and give every bird room to eat. A laying hen eats about 120 g a day, so ten hens need a feeder holding about 8 kg for a week. Each hen also needs about 10 cm of trough to eat without being pushed away.
Feeder size chart
Laying hens, refill weekly. Search for a flock.
| Hens | Feed a week (kg) | Feeder (kg) | Trough (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.4 | 5 | 40 |
| 6 | 5 | 5 | 60 |
| 10 | 8.4 | 10 | 100 |
| 15 | 12.6 | 15 | 150 |
| 20 | 16.8 | 20 | 200 |
| 30 | 25.2 | Two 15 kg | 300 |
Feed in kg. Trough length for birds eating from one side.
Hens and feeder
Weekly refills. Slide the number of hens.
The yellow level shows how full the feeder is after a fill.
How to size a feeder
Feed and space. Step through it.
Count birds
All in the run.
Raise the feeder as the birds grow so the lip is level with their backs. They waste far less feed.
Hanging, trough or treadle
Feeder types. Compare them.
Tube with a round pan.
Long open feeder.
Lid opens on a step.
Treadle feeders open only when a bird stands on the step, which keeps rats and wild birds out.
Before buying
Feeder checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Keep feed dry. Wet feed goes mouldy and can make birds ill.
What you get
Feeder sizing. Each tile explains one result.
kg.
For the flock.
Length.
How many.
Feed to buy.
With two or more feeders, shy birds lower in the pecking order still get to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
How much does a chicken eat a day?
About 120 g for a laying hen, a little more in cold weather.
What size feeder for ten chickens?
About 10 kg if you refill weekly, with about a metre of feeding space.
How much feeder space does each chicken need?
About 10 cm of trough, or 4 cm round a circular feeder.
How many chickens can share one hanging feeder?
About 25 hens per standard 30 cm hanging feeder.
How high should a chicken feeder be?
Level with the birds' backs, so they reach down without scratching feed out.
How much feed for a month?
About 3.6 kg per laying hen.
Do ducks need different feeders?
They eat more and make more mess. Use a wide trough and keep it away from water.
Feed for every bird
Size the feeder for the days between refills and give every bird room to eat. A well hung feeder saves feed and keeps the flock calm.
More size calculators
Each one has its own calculator, worked examples and answers to common questions.