6 Best Locking Bins For Keeping Goats Out Of Feed Old Farmers Swear By
Keep clever goats from raiding expensive feed. We review 6 durable, farmer-approved locking bins that offer time-tested security for any operation.
You walk out to the barn and see it: a 50-pound bag of feed, ripped open and scattered across the floor. Your cleverest goat stands in the middle of the mess, looking proud and uncomfortably bloated. This isn’t just a waste of money; it’s a potential emergency vet visit waiting to happen.
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Why Your Goats Need a Fort Knox Feed Bin
Your goats are smarter than you give them credit for. They watch, they learn, and they are relentlessly persistent when it comes to food. A simple lid is a puzzle, not a barrier.
The most immediate concern is waste. At today’s prices, a spilled bag of grain is a significant loss. That feed also attracts rodents, creating a whole new set of problems. But the real danger is to the goats themselves. Gorging on grain can cause bloat, or more accurately, enterotoxemia, which can be fatal in a matter of hours.
A secure feed bin isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental piece of safety equipment. It protects your investment in feed and, more importantly, it protects the health of your herd. Think of it as the cheapest insurance policy you can buy.
Behrens Galvanized Can: The Time-Tested Classic
Get durable, rust-proof trash disposal with this 6-gallon steel can. It features a locking lid and is proudly made in the USA.
You’ve seen these silver cans on farms for a hundred years, and there’s a good reason. Galvanized steel is completely chew-proof. No goat, no matter how determined, is gnawing its way through one of these. They are simple, durable, and get the job done.
The standard Behrens can has a simple, friction-fit lid. This alone will not stop a goat. They will knock the can over, step on it, and pop the lid right off. The classic farm solution is a heavy cinder block on the lid or a pair of bungee cords crisscrossed over the top and hooked to the handles.
For a bit more security, look for the version with the locking lid. A simple wire handle pivots over the top, creating a positive lock that’s much harder for a goat to defeat. It’s a small upgrade that makes a huge difference in security. The only real downside to steel is rust, so keep it in a dry location.
Rubbermaid Brute: Unmatched Plastic Durability
Move and store items easily with the durable Rubbermaid Brute Tote. Its secure lid keeps contents safe, while ergonomic handles reduce strain during transport.
Don’t confuse a Brute with a cheap household trash can. These things are made from a thick, pliable plastic that can take an incredible amount of abuse. They won’t crack in the cold or get brittle in the sun, and they will never rust.
The lid on a Brute snaps on with a satisfying thud. It creates a tight seal that most goats will give up on. A particularly stubborn herd might learn to work the edge, but it’s a significant step up from a simple metal lid. For total security, the same bungee cord trick used on a metal can works wonders here.
Some folks worry about goats chewing plastic. While a goat can destroy a flimsy bin, the sheer thickness and smooth surface of a Brute make it very difficult for them to get a good chew started. It’s a lightweight, rust-proof, and surprisingly tough alternative to steel.
Gamma2 Vittles Vault: The Ultimate Screw-Top Bin
![Gamma2 Vittles Vault Pet Food Storage Containers - Sealed Dog and Cat Food Storage Container, Fits up to 50lbs, Made in the USA - [14"L x 20"H]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41GP3rs5AzL._SL500_.jpg "6 Best Locking Bins For Keeping Goats Out Of Feed Old Farmers Swear By 4")
If you want a solution that requires no extra straps, weights, or modifications, the Vittles Vault is it. Originally designed for dog food, these heavy-duty plastic containers have one unbeatable feature: a screw-on lid. A goat can’t do it. They don’t have the dexterity.
The airtight, gasket-sealed lid does more than just keep goats out. It keeps moisture, pests, and rodents out, too. This means your feed stays fresher for longer, preserving its nutritional value. They are made from food-grade, BPA-free plastic, so there are no safety concerns.
The primary tradeoff is cost and capacity. Vittles Vaults are more expensive per gallon of storage than a simple can. For those buying feed one or two bags at a time, they are perfect. If you’re storing hundreds of pounds, you’d need several, which can get pricey.
High Country Plastics Bin for Bulk Storage Needs
When you graduate to buying feed by the pallet or in bulk, a simple can won’t cut it. That’s where dedicated bulk bins come in. High Country makes tough, roto-molded bins designed specifically for livestock feed and outdoor conditions.
These bins typically feature a slanted, hinged lid that makes scooping easy and a built-in hasp for a padlock or a double-ended snap clip. This is a definitive locking solution. The heavy-duty polyethylene construction is weatherproof and will last for decades.
This is an investment, not an impulse buy. But if you have a larger herd, the ability to buy feed in bulk can save you a lot of money over time. A bin like this protects that bulk investment from both weather and your craftiest animals, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Stanley Job Box: The Unconventional Tough Choice
Sometimes the best tool for the farm comes from the construction site. A steel job box, like those made by Stanley or DeWalt, is the absolute pinnacle of security. If it’s designed to stop a thief with a crowbar, it will barely notice a goat.
These boxes are made of heavy-gauge steel, are completely weatherproof, and have recessed locking mechanisms that are impossible for an animal to tamper with. You can leave one in the middle of a pasture during a hurricane, and your feed will be safe and dry. It’s total overkill in the best possible way.
The downsides are weight and cost. They are incredibly heavy and expensive. The dark metal can also get very hot in direct sun, which could potentially degrade the quality of pelleted feed or supplements over a long summer. But for pure, brute-force security, nothing else comes close.
Tuff Stuff Can: Heavy-Duty Lid Locking System
The Tuff Stuff brand occupies a great middle ground. It offers the durability of heavy-duty, farm-grade plastic but often with a more secure lid than a standard snap-on design. It’s a purpose-built solution for farm use.
Many of their models feature a lid that twists into place, engaging several locking tabs simultaneously. This is much more secure than a simple press-fit lid and is very difficult for a goat to disengage. It provides a higher level of security without needing extra bungees or weights.
These cans are made from impact-resistant plastic that handles temperature extremes well. They offer a fantastic balance of security, durability, and price, making them a go-to choice for many small farmers who need something a step above a basic can.
Choosing the Right Bin Material and Lock for You
The perfect bin depends entirely on your situation. The decision boils down to two key factors: the material it’s made from and, most importantly, the type of lock it uses.
First, consider the material.
- Steel: Completely chew-proof but can rust if left in a damp environment. Heavier.
- Plastic: Rust-proof and lightweight, but choose a high-quality, thick-walled product like a Brute or Tuff Stuff can to prevent any possibility of chewing.
Second, and more critically, evaluate the locking mechanism. This is a clear hierarchy of security.
- Good: A friction-fit or snap-on lid, but only if secured with a bungee cord or heavy weight.
- Better: An integrated locking handle or a twist-lock lid. These are designed to be goat-resistant from the start.
- Best: A screw-on lid or a hasp for a padlock. These are essentially goat-proof.
Think about your herd. Do you have one or two well-behaved goats, or a gang of four-legged escape artists? How much feed do you store? Is the bin kept in a locked barn or out in the open? Answering these questions will point you to the right balance of cost, convenience, and security for your farm.
Ultimately, the best feed bin is the one you can trust to do its job when you’re not around. Spending a little more upfront on a secure container is one of the smartest decisions you can make. It saves feed, prevents vet bills, and buys you invaluable peace of mind.
