In the latest episode of Shark Tank’s sixteenth season, which aired on March 14, 2025, viewers were introduced to an intriguing entrepreneur, Erik Diedrichsen from West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Erik pitched his company, Riverbend Resources, asking for a substantial investment of $300,000 in exchange for 10% equity.
Innovative Solutions for Chicken Owners
During his presentation, Erik unveiled the Poultry Pro Feeder, designed to revolutionize chicken feeding. He emphasized how this “innovative feeding system”allows chicken owners to convert any standard plastic container into a weatherproof feeder that minimizes mess and waste in just minutes. This solution directly addresses common challenges faced by pet chicken owners.
Erik mentioned that he began selling his product on Amazon, utilizing a direct-to-consumer model, but later transitioned to retail after experiencing a surge of knockoff products.
“There are literally hundreds of knockoffs and we’ve filed a federal temporary restraining order which we got,”Erik explained.
Insights from the Pitch
In this episode, aptly titled “Time to Elevate Your Social Game!”, Erik shared compelling statistics about pet ownership in America. He informed the sharks that chickens rank as the third most popular pet, with roughly 10% of American households keeping them. This figure, however, was met with skepticism by some sharks.
Erik criticized traditional chicken feeders for being messy and inefficient, stating they are essentially “buffets”for unwanted wildlife, often covered in feathers and other debris. One vivid moment from his demonstration included shaking a traditional feeder, illustrating its impracticality.
“They’re gross, and this is how you have to clean all that crap off,”he added.
The Poultry Pro Feeder in Action
Erik’s unique feeder design allows users to drill precisely positioned ports into a five-gallon bucket or barrel, creating an easy-to-install feeding solution that significantly reduces mess and keeps feed safe from pests. He also introduced a complementary product, the Poultry Pro Waterer, engineered for easy transport while holding up to five gallons of water.
“With our patented venting technology, you can connect a garden hose directly to the back for a self-filling and self-cleaning option,”Erik highlighted.
Negotiations and Outcome
As the pitch progressed, investors expressed doubt regarding Erik’s claim about the prevalence of chickens as pets. Mark Cuban specifically questioned the 10% figure, while Daymond John, who has experience in the poultry world, seemed more receptive. After discussing sales figures—totaling $3 million lifetime sales with a projected $2 million increase for the current year—Erik revealed his production costs and retail pricing.
“It costs about $5 to produce and retails for $30, which comes with three units and a hole saw,”he clarified.
The conversation turned to the challenges posed by competitors, with Erik confirming that he holds three design patents and has acquired a temporary restraining order to combat the influx of knockoffs. Ultimately, while most sharks chose not to invest, Daymond John offered Erik $300,000 for a stake of 25% equity.
After some negotiation, Erik successfully secured an agreement with Daymond for 20% equity instead. This deal marks a significant turning point for Riverbend Resources and highlights the potential of innovative solutions within the pet industry.
Viewers can catch this exciting episode of Shark Tank season 16, episode 13, available for streaming on ABC.