An automatic animal feeder comprises a bowl (3, fig 1), a base unit (1, fig 1) which accepts the bowl, a lid (4, fig 1) which may be opened or closed about a hinge means to allow or prevent access to the bowl and a lid control mechanism, capable of keeping the lid closed, or opening the lid. The lid control mechanism has a dial (8, fig 3) whose position controls the opening of the lid, a clutch gear wheel 12, a clutch 10 at least partly within the clutch wheel which transfers torque from the clutch gear wheel to the dial, the clutch having at least one resilient spaced arm 40, 41, and at least one spring member (11, fig 3) bearing on the at least one resilient spaced arm, which urges the arm outwards to grip the inside surface clutch gear wheel. In a further embodiment the angle between the surface of the grip portions of the dial and the top face of the dial is less than 90 degrees.
