6 Best Gravity Goat Feeders For Small Pastures That Minimize Feed Waste
For small pastures, gravity goat feeders are key to minimizing waste. We review the top 6 models that keep feed clean, protected, and reduce your costs.
You toss a scoop of expensive grain into a trough, and within minutes, the goats have knocked it over, stood in it, and used it as a bathroom. Sound familiar? Wasted feed is more than just a nuisance; it’s a direct hit to your budget and can compromise the health of your herd. The right feeder isn’t a luxury—it’s a fundamental tool for managing a small pasture efficiently.
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Why Gravity Feeders Cut Waste on Pasture
A gravity feeder works on a simple, brilliant principle: it holds a reservoir of feed that trickles down into a small trough as the goats eat. This design immediately solves several problems. It keeps the bulk of your feed protected from rain, sun, and contamination.
Unlike an open pan, a gravity feeder prevents goats from soiling their entire day’s ration. The small feeding area discourages them from standing in their food or scattering it with their noses. This means more feed goes into your goats and less gets trampled into the mud.
The real magic is in the time and money saved. You can fill the hopper once a day, or even every few days, knowing the feed is safe and accessible. This consistency helps maintain herd health and drastically reduces the daily cost of lost grain, which adds up faster than you’d think.
Brower 10GF Feeder: The Most Durable Option
When you need a feeder that will outlast the goats, you look for galvanized steel. The Brower 10GF is built like a tank. Its heavy-duty construction means it won’t get dented by a pushy buck or destroyed by relentless chewing. This is a buy-it-once piece of equipment.
The design features a wide, protective rain shield and a feed-saver lip on the trough. These aren’t just marketing points; they genuinely keep feed dry and in the feeder. It’s heavy enough to resist being knocked around but can still be moved to fresh pasture as needed.
The main tradeoff is cost and weight. It’s a heavier investment upfront than plastic or DIY options. But if you’ve ever replaced a broken plastic feeder mid-season, you understand the value of something that simply endures. For a small herd of 3-5 goats, its 65-pound capacity is more than adequate for daily feeding.
Little Giant P-7V: Ideal for Fenceline Feeding
The single most convenient feature a feeder can have is the ability to be filled from outside the pen. The Little Giant P-7V is designed specifically for this. It mounts directly onto a fence, with the hopper on the outside and the trough on the inside.
This fenceline design is a game-changer for daily chores. You don’t have to fight your way through an eager herd to fill it, and you can top it off in the rain without getting soaked. Made of durable, impact-resistant plastic, it won’t rust and is relatively easy to clean out.
While plastic isn’t as indestructible as steel, this model is surprisingly tough. Its biggest limitation is capacity, holding about 7 pounds of feed. This makes it perfect for a pair of miniature goats or for supplementing a couple of larger goats, but you’ll be filling it daily for a bigger group.
Tarter Wall Feeder: A Smart Hay and Grain Combo
Attract wild birds with this durable, rust-proof stainless steel bird feeder. Its large, easy-to-clean mesh tray features drainage holes to keep seeds fresh, and the included hook allows for versatile mounting on walls, trees, or fences.
Space is always a premium in a small barn or three-sided shelter. The Tarter Wall Feeder addresses this by combining a hay rack and a grain trough into one compact unit. This is an incredibly efficient setup for providing both forage and concentrate in a protected area.
The feeder is typically made of steel and mounts securely to a wall, keeping it off the ground and out of the way. The V-shaped hay rack slows down consumption and reduces the amount of hay pulled onto the floor. The grain trough below catches most of the falling leaves and stems, turning potential waste into a bonus snack.
Be aware that some grain can get soiled by hay dropping from above. It’s a minor issue, but something to consider. This feeder shines as part of a covered feeding station, protecting both hay and grain from the elements and giving your goats a dry place to eat.
The Classic DIY PVC Wye Feeder: A Budget Build
Sometimes, the best solution is the one you build yourself for less than twenty dollars. The DIY PVC feeder, made from a 4" or 6" PVC pipe and a "wye" fitting, is a classic for a reason. It’s cheap, surprisingly effective, and can be customized to your exact needs.
The concept is simple: a vertical pipe holds the feed, and the angled opening of the wye at the bottom creates a small trough. You can attach a cap to the top to keep rain and pests out. By mounting it to a post or wall, you create a sturdy, single-goat feeding station.
This build isn’t without its challenges. The smooth plastic can be difficult for some goats to eat from, and cleaning out compacted feed at the bottom requires some effort. It’s not a perfect system, but for its cost, it’s one of the most efficient ways to reduce waste on a tight budget. You can build several and place them around the pasture to prevent competition.
Red River Feeder: For Slightly Larger Herds
When you have more than just a couple of goats, you need a feeder that can handle the demand without causing a traffic jam. The Red River Feeder is a step up in both capacity and access, often featuring multiple feeding ports or a wider trough designed for several animals to eat at once.
These feeders are typically constructed from heavy-duty polyethylene, making them tough but lighter than steel counterparts. They often have a generous hopper, holding 50 pounds of feed or more, which is a significant time-saver for a herd of 5-10 goats. The design focuses on keeping feed flowing smoothly to the ports while protecting the main reservoir from the weather.
The primary consideration here is whether your herd is large enough to justify the size and cost. For just two or three goats, a feeder this large might lead to feed sitting for too long. But for that "in-between" herd size, it hits a sweet spot, minimizing daily refills while ensuring everyone gets their share.
Rugged Ranch Feeder for Free-Choice Feeding
Goats need more than just grain; they need constant access to loose minerals and baking soda to keep their systems in balance. The Rugged Ranch Feeder is an excellent choice for this specific purpose. While not strictly a "grain" feeder, its design is perfect for protecting expensive supplements from the elements.
This type of feeder usually features a covered hood or a rubber flap that goats learn to lift with their noses. This simple mechanism is highly effective at keeping rain and snow out of the minerals, preventing them from clumping into a useless, salty brick. It can be mounted on a wall or post at the proper height for your herd.
Because it’s designed for free-choice access, it teaches goats to self-regulate their intake of essential minerals. Using a dedicated, weather-proof feeder like this ensures your investment in herd health doesn’t wash away in the first big storm.
Key Features to Look for in a Goat Feeder
Choosing the right feeder comes down to balancing your budget, herd size, and pasture layout. There’s no single "best" option, only the best option for your specific situation. As you compare models, keep these critical features in mind:
- Material: Galvanized steel is the most durable but also the heaviest and most expensive. UV-stabilized plastic is rust-proof, lighter, and more affordable but can become brittle over time or be damaged by a determined chewer.
- Capacity: Match the hopper size to your herd. Too small, and you’ll be filling it constantly. Too large, and feed could sit long enough to go stale or mold, especially in humid climates.
- Weather Protection: A wide, overhanging lid or rain shield is non-negotiable for any feeder left in a pasture. Wet feed is wasted feed, and it can make your goats sick.
- Mounting Style: Fenceline feeders offer convenience, while wall-mounted units save space in a shelter. Freestanding models provide flexibility but can be knocked over if not heavy or staked down.
- Ease of Cleaning: This is the most overlooked feature. Look for smooth interiors and accessible troughs. A feeder that’s a pain to clean will eventually become a health hazard.
Ultimately, a good feeder is an investment that pays for itself by protecting your feed from weather and your goats from themselves. By matching the feeder’s design to your herd’s needs and your farm’s layout, you can spend less time worrying about waste and more time enjoying your animals. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in the daily rhythm of a small farm.
