Gift AlmanacA directory of good gifts

Feeders, drinkers & coop doors

Gear that saves daily chores and keeps rats, wild birds and foxes out.

2 gift ideas here, each with a real shop for your country where we've found one.

A rat-proof treadle feeder

The lid only lifts when a hen steps on the plate, so rats, mice and sparrows miss out and rain stays off the feed. The standard size holds about 9 kg, which the maker says feeds six hens for around ten days. Galvanised steel, built to last outdoors.

An automatic coop door

Opens the pop-hole in the morning and closes it at dusk on a light sensor or timer, so nobody has to rush home to shut the hens in before the foxes come out. Check the weight of their current door first; these lift doors up to about 2 kg.