6 Best Adjustable Feeders for Growing Livestock
Proper feeder height prevents waste as lambs grow. Discover our top 6 adjustable trough feeders designed to save feed, improve hygiene, and grow with your flock.
There’s nothing more frustrating than watching your lambs treat their expensive grain like a litter box. They climb in, they soil it, and they scatter it everywhere. The right adjustable feeder grows with your flock, keeping feed clean, accessible, and in their bellies where it belongs.
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Why Adjustable Feeders Matter for Your Flock
Lambs grow incredibly fast. A feeder that’s the perfect height for a three-week-old will be far too low for that same lamb at three months. When a feeder is too low, it’s an open invitation for them to step in, contaminating the feed with mud and manure. This isn’t just wasteful; it’s a direct route to health problems like coccidiosis.
An adjustable feeder solves this problem by keeping the trough edge at the lamb’s chest height. This simple change discourages them from climbing in and makes it harder for them to push feed out. You’ll save a surprising amount of money on grain, and more importantly, you’ll be promoting the health of your flock by ensuring their food source stays clean. It’s a small investment that pays for itself in feed savings and vet bills avoided.
Behlen Country Galvanized Trough: Built to Last
When you think of a classic farm feeder, this is probably what comes to mind. The Behlen Country trough is made from heavy-duty galvanized steel, which means it can take a beating from weather and rowdy lambs without rusting or breaking. Its weight is a feature, not a bug—it’s heavy enough that even larger lambs won’t be able to push it around or tip it over.
The V-shaped bottom is a smart design that funnels feed toward the center, encouraging lambs to clean up every last bit. The simple, sturdy legs can be adjusted to several heights, allowing the feeder to grow alongside your animals from weaning to market weight. This is a buy-it-once piece of equipment that will likely outlast your first few generations of sheep.
Tarter Poly Bunk Feeder: Lightweight & Movable
If you’re constantly reconfiguring pens or moving your flock to fresh pasture, the Tarter Poly Bunk Feeder is a fantastic option. The trough is made from a tough, single-piece molded polyethylene that won’t rust, rot, or have sharp edges. It’s also incredibly easy to wash out with a hose.
The main tradeoff is its weight. While being lightweight makes it easy for you to move, it also makes it easier for strong lambs to shove around. Many farmers simply tie it to a fence post or panel to keep it in place. The adjustable legs are typically held with a simple pin system, making height changes quick and tool-free. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who values portability and low maintenance.
Premier 1 Supplies V-Trough for Less Spillage
Premier 1 is known for designing equipment with a deep understanding of sheep behavior, and their V-trough is a prime example. The deep, narrow V-shape is specifically engineered to minimize waste. It makes it very difficult for lambs to use their noses to push feed out onto the ground, a common and costly habit.
These feeders are often designed to be hung on a fence or panel, which is how you adjust the height. By simply moving the feeder up to the next horizontal rail, you can keep it at the ideal height as your lambs grow. The narrow design also gives them less of a platform to try and stand on. If your top priority is feed efficiency, this style of feeder is one of the best you can get.
Sioux Steel 10′ Bunk Feeder for Larger Flocks
Feeding just a few lambs is one thing, but once your flock grows, a small trough creates a bottleneck. The Sioux Steel 10-foot bunk feeder is built to handle a crowd. Providing ample space reduces competition and ensures that more timid lambs get their fair share without being bullied away from the feed.
This is a heavy-duty piece of gear, made from thick-gauge steel with a wide, stable stance that prevents tipping. The adjustable legs are robust enough to support a full load of feed and a line of hungry animals. A feeder this size is overkill for a pair of bottle lambs, but if you’re managing a dozen or more, it’s an essential tool for efficient and peaceful mealtimes.
Little Giant Fence Feeder: Hay and Grain Combo
For small-space efficiency, it’s hard to beat a combination feeder. The Little Giant Fence Feeder often incorporates a hay rack above a grain trough, allowing you to offer both feed types in one compact unit. This design keeps hay from being trampled into the mud and keeps the grain trough clean and off the ground.
Its adjustability is brilliantly simple: you hang it on the fence. As the lambs get taller, you just lift the feeder and hang it on a higher rail. This makes it perfect for creep pens, lambing jugs, or small finishing pens where floor space is at a premium. It’s a smart solution that serves two purposes with one piece of equipment.
Sydell Heavy-Duty Adjustable Lamb Creep Feeder
A creep feeder is more than just a trough; it’s a strategic tool for raising healthy lambs. The Sydell creep feeder is designed to allow small lambs access to high-protein creep feed while keeping the larger, hungry ewes out. This gives your lambs a huge head start without having to compete with their mothers for food.
The key feature is the adjustable entry bars. You can set the vertical bars to be narrow enough for only young lambs to slip through, then gradually widen them as the lambs grow. These feeders are typically covered, which protects expensive feed from rain and sun, further reducing waste. It’s a significant investment, but for a serious breeding operation, the benefits in lamb growth and health are undeniable.
Key Features to Look for in a Lamb Feeder
When you’re comparing options, don’t get lost in the details. Focus on the features that have the biggest impact on your daily chores and your bottom line. The right feeder will have a combination of these practical elements.
Ultimately, your choice should be guided by a few key questions. How many lambs are you feeding? Will the feeder stay in one place or move with the flock? Is your priority rock-solid durability or lightweight portability?
- Adjustable Height: This is the most important feature. Whether through adjustable legs or the ability to hang it at different heights, the feeder must be able to grow with your lambs.
- Durable Material: Heavy-gauge steel offers maximum durability and weight, while molded poly provides a rust-proof, lightweight, and easy-to-clean alternative.
- Drainage Holes: A feeder without drainage is a recipe for moldy, wasted feed. Make sure there are holes in the bottom to let rainwater or spilled water escape.
- Feed-Saving Design: Look for a V-shape or a trough with an inward-facing lip at the top. Both features make it significantly harder for lambs to push or root feed out onto the ground.
Ultimately, the right feeder is a tool for efficiency. It saves you money, reduces your chores, and contributes to healthier, faster-growing lambs. Choose one that fits your flock’s size and your farm’s workflow, and you’ll spend less time worrying about wasted feed and more time enjoying your flock.
