6 Best Rust Resistant Trough Feeders For Outdoor Use Old Farmers Swear By
Explore 6 top rust-resistant trough feeders built for the outdoors. This guide covers durable, farmer-tested models proven to last in any weather.
You walk out to the pasture and see it. That feeder you bought last spring is now a pile of orange flakes, with a hole rusted straight through the bottom. Investing in the right trough feeder isn’t just about convenience; it’s about saving yourself the money and headache of replacing gear every other season. A good, rust-resistant feeder is a one-time purchase that pays you back in reliability year after year.
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Why Galvanized Steel is Key for Outdoor Feeders
When we talk about rust resistance, one term stands above the rest: galvanized. Galvanization is a process where a protective layer of zinc is coated over steel. This zinc coating acts as a sacrificial barrier, corroding long before the steel underneath is ever exposed to the elements.
Think of it like a shield. Rain, snow, mud, and even the corrosive salts in animal saliva will attack the zinc first. This is fundamentally different from a simple painted feeder. Paint chips and scratches easily, creating weak spots where rust can take hold and spread like a cancer under the surface.
A heavy-gauge, hot-dipped galvanized feeder is the definition of "buy it once, cry it once." It might cost more upfront than a flimsy painted model, but it will outlast it by a decade or more. You’re not just buying a piece of equipment; you’re buying peace of mind and eliminating a future chore.
Tarter Galvanized Bunk Feeder: A Timeless Classic
If there’s one feeder you’ll see on farms that have been around for generations, it’s a Tarter bunk feeder or one just like it. These are the workhorses of the feeding world. They are brutally simple, incredibly effective, and built to withstand abuse from livestock and the weather.
Their design is all about function. They typically feature a heavy-gauge galvanized steel trough with rounded corners to prevent injury to your animals. Most importantly, they include drain holes. This small detail is crucial for preventing feed from turning into a soupy, moldy mess after a rainstorm.
These feeders are heavy and stable, which means your cattle or horses won’t be pushing them all over the pasture. They sit firmly on the ground, providing easy access while being tough enough to handle the daily jostling of a hungry herd. For feeding a small group of cows, a few horses, or a large flock of sheep, this is the go-to classic for a reason.
Little Giant Steel Trough Feeder for Versatility
Not everyone needs a 10-foot-long cattle bunk. For smaller livestock like goats, sheep, or even a flock of turkeys, the Little Giant series offers incredible versatility. These feeders are designed to adapt to your specific setup, which is a huge advantage on a small farm where space and infrastructure are always changing.
Many models come with options for sturdy legs or brackets for hanging directly on a fence or stall wall. Hanging a feeder keeps it clean, prevents animals from fouling it, and makes sweeping up spilled grain much easier. This flexibility allows you to use the same feeder in a creep feeding pen, along a pasture fence line, or inside a barn.
While still made of durable galvanized steel, they are often a lighter gauge than their heavy-duty bunk feeder cousins. This is a deliberate tradeoff. It makes them lighter and more portable, but they won’t stand up to a 1,500-pound steer trying to use one as a scratching post. For the right application, their adaptability is unmatched.
Behlen Poly Bunk Feeder: The Rust-Proof Choice
While galvanized steel is rust-resistant, polyethylene—or poly—is completely rust-proof. The Behlen Poly Bunk Feeder is a prime example of leveraging modern materials for ultimate longevity. The trough itself will simply never corrode, no matter how much rain or moisture it’s exposed to.
The benefits don’t stop there. Poly feeders are incredibly easy to clean; feed and grime slide right off the smooth surface. They are also lighter than their all-steel counterparts, making them easier to move between pastures. And since the material has some give, it’s arguably safer for animals who might bump into it.
However, there are tradeoffs. The frame holding the poly tub is usually made of steel, so you still need to ensure it is galvanized. Furthermore, while tough, poly can become brittle after many years of extreme sun and cold, and a determined animal (like a boar) might be able to chew on it. For most situations, though, it’s a fantastic, worry-free option.
Sioux Steel Gate Feeder for Fence Line Feeding
Fence line feeding is one of the best efficiency hacks on a small farm. It allows you to feed your animals without having to enter their pen or pasture, which is safer for you and less disruptive for them. The Sioux Steel Gate Feeder is purpose-built for exactly this scenario.
These feeders are designed to mount directly onto a gate or a sturdy fence panel. They are typically long and narrow, providing ample feeding space without protruding too far into the pen. You can easily fill the trough from the outside, saving time and keeping your boots out of the mud.
Because they are part of the fence line, these feeders are built to be incredibly robust. They are made from heavy-gauge galvanized steel to withstand the constant pressure of animals leaning and pushing against them. This isn’t an all-purpose feeder; it’s a specialized tool that, in the right setup, makes daily chores significantly easier and safer.
Brower Galvanized Trough for Small Livestock
For those raising sheep, goats, or pigs, the Brower Galvanized Trough offers smart design features that minimize waste. Wasted feed is wasted money, and the construction of these troughs directly addresses that problem. They are a significant upgrade from flimsy plastic pans or homemade wooden troughs that rot and splinter.
Many Brower models feature a V-shaped bottom, which naturally funnels feed toward the center so animals can clean it all up. They also often incorporate a feed-saving lip along the top edge. This small detail makes a big difference in preventing animals from pushing or rooting grain out onto the ground.
Built from tough, galvanized steel, these troughs are designed to last. They are heavy enough to stay put but still manageable for one person to move for cleaning. For anyone serious about raising smaller livestock efficiently, investing in a well-designed trough like this is a smart financial move.
CountyLine Welded Bunk Feeder on Sturdy Legs
Often found at retailers like Tractor Supply, the CountyLine brand offers a solid, no-nonsense bunk feeder that’s a staple on many farms. Its key feature is its fully welded, one-piece construction. This eliminates bolts that can loosen over time, creating a stronger, more rigid feeder that can handle rough treatment.
The integrated steel legs are another major advantage. Elevating the trough keeps the feed off the wet ground, reducing the risk of mold and contamination. It also puts the feed at a more comfortable height for livestock, and it saves your back from having to bend all the way to the ground to scrub it out.
Made with a classic galvanized finish, this feeder combines stability, durability, and practicality. The combination of strong legs and a heavy-duty trough makes it an excellent choice for any livestock, but it’s particularly well-suited for animals that are notoriously hard on equipment. It’s a simple, reliable design that just works.
Choosing the Right Feeder Size for Your Herd
Buying the right type of feeder is only half the battle; you also need the right size. Overcrowding at the trough is a major source of stress and injury. It ensures that dominant animals get more than their share while timid ones go hungry, leading to uneven growth and health issues.
A good rule of thumb is to provide enough linear space for most of your animals to eat at once. The exact amount varies by species and size, but here are some general guidelines:
- Cattle: 24-30 inches of space per head
- Sheep/Goats: 16-20 inches of space per head
- Hogs: Around 12-15 inches of space per head
Always err on the side of too much space. A longer trough costs more, but it pays for itself in better herd health and reduced feed competition. Think about your future plans, too. If you plan on expanding your flock of sheep from 10 to 15 next year, buy the feeder that will accommodate 15 now. It’s far cheaper than buying a second feeder later.
Ultimately, the best trough feeder is the one you don’t have to think about. By choosing a durable, rust-resistant model made from galvanized steel or high-quality poly, you’re making a long-term investment. You’re buying back your time and ensuring your animals are fed safely and efficiently for years to come.
