The frost crunched under my boots this morning, and for the first time this season, I saw condensation inside the feeder ports. It was a telltale sign. More than a couple hens were starting to look a little peckish, too. This signals the time for a feeder upgrade. So, I figured, let’s see what we’ve got.

This particular chicken feeder, boasting those easy-install ports and a pre-packaged hole saw, arrived yesterday. Initially, I was skeptical. Any experienced poultry keeper knows: a “minute” is a bold claim, especially when dealing with…well, anything involving chickens. But, the premise is solid. Building a gravity-fed feeder is the gold standard for reducing feed waste – a key consideration when dealing with winter feeding. And those hungry little velociraptors of mine will find a way to scatter feed everywhere.

The included hole saw, at 80mm, fits the feeder ports like a glove. I had the new feeder system mounted on a discarded trash can in under five minutes. Granted, I was using a drill press. A handheld drill would take a few more, careful minutes. Still, the promise of ease held up; the process is straightforward. No fancy modifications needed.

Now, about the design. The ports are built with a decent lip. This is crucial for controlling feed flow. Cheaper models skimp here, and you’ll end up with a mess. I’ve found, though, that the port openings could be slightly wider. My Australorps, in their ravenous winter feeding frenzy, sometimes jostle for position, briefly blocking the feed. A simple solution? I’ll probably angle the feeder slightly, or maybe add a small perch at the bottom to ease the competition.

What you won’t get with this feeder is a truly weatherproof design. While the ports themselves are well-designed to minimize spillage, you will not stop the moisture without covering the feeder, which is an external issue.

But, does it perform? Absolutely. The port design does a good job of minimizing spillage, which translates directly to less wasted feed and a healthier bottom line. For the small flock owner looking for an easy, efficient upgrade, this is a solid choice. In fact, if you’re setting up a new coop and want to avoid the mess of traditional feeders, buy two. One for the coop, one as a spare. That’s what I’ll do.