6 Best Metal Storage Trunks For Animal Feed That Keep Pests Out for Good
Protect your animal feed from rodents and insects. Our guide reviews the 6 best metal storage trunks designed for durable, secure, and pest-proof storage.
You hear the telltale scratching in the feed shed and your heart sinks. You find the bag of layer pellets torn open, its contents scattered and contaminated. Pests aren’t just an annoyance; they’re a direct threat to your animals’ health and a drain on your wallet.
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Why Metal Trunks Beat Plastic for Pest Control
Plastic feed bins seem like a good idea at first. They’re lightweight, cheap, and readily available. But a determined mouse or rat sees a plastic bin as a minor inconvenience, not a barrier. They will chew right through it, often in a single night.
Once they’re in, the real trouble starts. Rodents contaminate feed with urine and feces, which can spread diseases like salmonella and leptospirosis to your livestock. You end up throwing away expensive feed and risking the health of your animals. It’s a losing battle you can’t win with plastic.
Metal, on the other hand, is a fortress. Galvanized steel or heavy-gauge aluminum presents an impenetrable wall to rodents. They can’t chew it, they can’t claw through it, and with a proper lid, they can’t get in. Investing in a metal trunk isn’t just buying a container; it’s buying a permanent solution to a persistent problem.
Behrens Galvanized Can: Classic & Rodent-Proof
Get durable, rust-proof trash disposal with this 6-gallon steel can. It features a locking lid and is proudly made in the USA.
There’s a reason you see these classic silver cans on farms everywhere. The Behrens galvanized steel can is the simple, effective, and affordable gold standard for basic feed protection. Its all-steel construction means no rodent is getting through the walls.
The tight-fitting lid is the key feature here. While it doesn’t have a locking mechanism, its snug fit is more than enough to stop mice, rats, and squirrels. The offset bottom is another smart design choice, keeping the can off a damp concrete floor and preventing rust. For storing a single 50-pound bag of feed where raccoons aren’t a major concern, this is often all you need.
Vestil Steel Trunk: Secure Lid for Feed Safety
When a simple lid isn’t enough, you need a lock. The Vestil Steel Trunk is a significant step up in security, designed specifically for those dealing with more clever pests like raccoons. These trunks are built from welded steel and feel substantial.
The defining feature is the integrated hasp and staple latch. This allows you to snap a padlock on, completely securing the contents. No raccoon can unlatch it, and no pest can chew through it. It’s the perfect mid-range solution for someone who has graduated from rodent problems to more formidable feed thieves.
Husky Job Box: A Rugged, Repurposed Solution
Sometimes the best tool for the farm isn’t found in the farm supply store. A job site box, like those made by Husky, offers an incredible level of security for a reasonable price, especially if you can find one used. These are designed to stop human thieves with bolt cutters, so animal pests don’t stand a chance.
Made from heavy-gauge steel with recessed locking mechanisms, a job box is virtually indestructible. They are heavy, which is a downside for portability but a huge plus for security—nothing is knocking it over. If you’re storing high-value feed or have a severe, persistent pest problem, repurposing a job box is a brilliant and practical move.
Knaack Jobsite Chest: The Ultimate in Security
If a standard job box is a fortress, the Knaack Jobsite Chest is Fort Knox. This is the top-of-the-line, buy-it-for-life solution for when you absolutely cannot afford a breach. The steel is thicker, the welds are stronger, and the locking systems are engineered to be impenetrable.
Knaack chests often feature weather-stripping, which not only helps keep moisture out but also seals off any scent of the feed inside, making it less of a target. The cost is a serious consideration; this is a true investment. But for those storing hundreds of pounds of expensive, specialized feed in a remote or high-risk area, the peace of mind Knaack provides is unmatched. You are not just deterring pests; you are eliminating them as a variable.
Behlen Country Stock Tank: For Bulk Feed Storage
Easily add accessories to your steel or poly tank with this 1-3/4-inch replacement drain. This bulkhead fitting is made in the USA for reliable performance.
What if you need to store 500 pounds of feed, not 50? For bulk storage, a galvanized steel stock tank is an excellent and surprisingly cost-effective option. Their round shape and seamless steel construction make them completely rodent-proof from the sides and bottom.
The trick is the lid. You’ll need to fashion a heavy, oversized lid from thick plywood or sheet metal. The weight of the lid is what creates the seal and provides the security. This isn’t an out-of-the-box solution, but for a hobby farmer with a larger flock or herd who buys feed in bulk, it’s an incredibly durable and scalable system.
Rhino Armor Trunk: Durable & Weather-Resistant
Rhino Armor Trunks offer a great middle ground between a simple can and a heavy-duty job box. While often marketed as footlockers, their construction is perfect for feed storage. They feature a durable plywood core sheathed in a layer of steel, making them completely chew-proof.
These trunks are significantly lighter than job boxes and often come with wheels, making them easier to move around the feed room. Most models include a built-in lock or a hasp for a padlock, providing solid security against raccoons. For indoor or covered storage like a barn or garage, a Rhino trunk provides an excellent balance of security, durability, and convenience.
Placement Tips for Your New Metal Feed Storage
Where you put your trunk is almost as important as what it’s made of. The goal is to make it as unappealing and inaccessible to pests as possible. Don’t just shove it in a corner.
First, elevate your storage. Place your trunk or can on a couple of concrete cinder blocks. This achieves two critical things:
- It allows air to circulate underneath, preventing moisture from the floor from causing rust.
- It eliminates a dark, protected hiding spot for rodents to nest right next to their target.
Second, pull it away from the walls. Leaving a foot of space around the container removes hiding places and makes it harder for pests to get leverage to try and pry at the lid. A clean, open area is a less inviting area. Finally, keep the area around your storage swept and clean. Spilled feed is an open invitation for every pest in the county.
Securing your animal feed isn’t an expense; it’s an investment in your animals’ health and your own sanity. By choosing the right metal container and placing it thoughtfully, you can solve the pest problem for good and focus on what really matters on the farm.
