Abstract: An automatic animal feeder for automatically exposing feed at predetermined substantially regular intervals, comprises a frame having a base portion and an upwardly extending rear portion, at least two feeding troughs arranged side-by-side in the base portion and adapted to contain animal food, and a lid associated with a respective one of the feeding troughs, the lid being movable between open and closed positions and normally biased toward the open position. A retention element is associated with a respective lid for retaining same in the closed position, and a liquid-operated release mechanism is asociated with a respective retention element the release mechanism including a chamber with an inlet for receiving a liquid and being operative to release the respective retention element when the liquid reaches a predetermined level in the chamber, the chamber having liquid discharge for emptying same after use.