Development of Cost-Effective Automated Feeders for Mice Using Affordable Electronic Components

Feeding schedules play a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms, particularly in peripheral tissues involved in metabolism. In this study, we designed and implemented a low-cost, homemade automatic feeder for mice, compatible with standard housing cages and built using readily available electronic components. This system allows precise control of feeding times, enabling time-restricted feeding experiments. To assess its effectiveness, we evaluated locomotor activity in C57BL/6J mice subjected to either a day feeding schedule (ZT3–ZT9) or a night feeding schedule (ZT15–ZT21) over a five-week period. Voluntary locomotor activity was recorded using running wheels, and actograms were generated to analyze and compare activity patterns. Our results demonstrate that feeding schedules significantly influence locomotor activity rhythms. Notably, both mice exhibited food anticipatory activity (FAA) before food availability. These findings support the role of feeding time as a strong zeitgeber and highlight the utility of low-cost automated feeders for circadian and metabolic research.