Abstract: A poultry feed hopper for distributing feed along an elongate feeding trough includes a feed container portion having a discharge outlet, a helical auger for urging feed from the container towards the discharge outlet, and a feed level detector paddle which detects the accumulation of feed in the trough and retards the rotation of the auger and the urging of feed towards the discharge outlet until the hopper has passed over the accumulation of feed. The auger is prevented from rotation by a detent on the feed level detector paddle when the feed in the trough accumulates to a level which prevents the free flow of feed through the discharge outlet and builds up behind the paddle. When the hopper passes to a point along the trough where there is no accumulation of feed, the accumulation behind the paddle dissipates and a counterweight urges the paddle and the detent away from engagement with the auger, thereby allowing the auger to again urge feed towards the discharge outlet.