6 Best Anti Tip Trough Feeders For Playful Goats That Stop Feed Waste
Playful goats tipping feeders? Stop costly feed waste with our review of the 6 best anti-tip trough feeders designed for durability and efficiency.
You walk out to the pasture and see it again: a full scoop of expensive grain scattered across the ground, mixed with mud and manure. A playful goat stands proudly with one hoof in the overturned feeder, looking for the next thing to climb. This scene is the quickest way to turn your feed budget into a donation to the local bird population.
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Why Playful Goats Need a No-Tip Feeder
Goats are not just eating from their feeder; they are interacting with it. They will stand in it, rub against it, and use it as a launchpad for their next acrobatic feat. This isn’t bad behavior—it’s just goat behavior.
The problem is that a standard, lightweight trough is no match for a curious goat. A tipped feeder means wasted feed, which is a direct hit to your wallet. More importantly, it creates a health hazard. Feed contaminated with feces and urine can spread parasites and disease throughout your herd.
A sturdy, anti-tip feeder isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental piece of herd management equipment. It protects your investment in feed, promotes better animal health by ensuring clean rations, and saves you the daily frustration of cleaning up a mess. Investing in the right feeder pays for itself quickly, both in saved grain and peace of mind.
Little Giant Fence Feeder for Secure Mounting
The hook-over fence feeder is a classic for a reason. These feeders, often made of durable plastic like the Little Giant models, hang securely from a wire fence or corral panel. This simple design immediately solves the tipping problem by taking the feeder off the ground entirely.
Their main advantage is adjustability. You can easily raise the feeder as your kids grow or set different heights for various breeds in the same pasture. Keeping the feed elevated is also a major win for herd health, as it dramatically reduces the risk of contamination from ground-level parasites.
The tradeoff is in their construction and capacity. While the plastic is tough, a large, determined buck can eventually crack it. They also tend to have a smaller capacity than ground feeders, requiring more frequent refills. These are an excellent choice for smaller breeds, does, or young stock, but may not stand up to the brute force of a large herd sire.
Tarter Galvanized Bunk Feeder: Heavy-Duty Pick
When you need something that simply will not move, a galvanized steel bunk feeder is the answer. Models like those from Tarter are built with a low center of gravity and wide, splayed legs that make them incredibly difficult to flip. Their sheer weight is a primary feature—a goat can stand on the edge or push against it without budging it an inch.
This is the kind of feeder you put in a permanent location. Its weight makes it a chore to move, so you’ll want to place it thoughtfully. The heavy-duty steel construction is designed to withstand years of abuse from weather and animals, making it a true long-term investment.
The primary consideration is its material. Galvanized steel is tough, but it can get hot in the summer sun and will eventually rust, particularly at the welds. It’s the ideal solution for large, strong breeds like Boers or for any herd with a particularly destructive buck who sees other feeders as a personal challenge.
Behrens Rubber Tub: The Unbreakable Ground Feeder
Sometimes the most effective tool is the simplest. A flexible, heavy-duty rubber tub is virtually indestructible. Goats can stand in it, kick it, and stomp on it, and the tub will just flex and return to its shape. Its low, wide profile makes it impossible to tip over.
While it solves the tipping problem, it does nothing to prevent goats from standing in the feed. This makes it a less-than-ideal choice for daily grain rations, as the contents can become soiled quickly. However, it’s a perfect container for loose minerals or kelp, where a little contamination is less of a concern.
The unbeatable value of a rubber tub is its versatility and low cost. It can be used for feed, minerals, or water in a pinch. Every hobby farm should have a few of these on hand; they are one of the most useful and durable pieces of equipment you can own.
High Country Plastics Wall Feeder for Stalls
For feeding inside a barn, kidding pen, or stall, a wall-mounted feeder is the ultimate no-tip solution. These feeders, like the durable models from High Country Plastics, bolt directly onto a solid wall. This completely removes any possibility of the feeder being moved or overturned.
The design of most wall feeders also helps manage herd dynamics. It forces goats to eat from one side, reducing the chaotic pushing and shoving that happens at a 360-degree ground feeder. This is particularly useful for ensuring a doe on a special diet or a weaker animal gets its full ration without competition.
The obvious limitation is its lack of portability. This is a permanent installation for a specific location. You need a sturdy wall or post to mount it on, making it unsuitable for open pasture. It’s a specialized tool that offers unparalleled security in a controlled environment.
Sioux Steel V-Bunk Feeder for Fence Lines
The V-bunk feeder is engineered for efficiency. Its distinct V-shape naturally funnels feed toward the center, ensuring animals can easily reach every last pellet and minimizing leftover waste. Models from manufacturers like Sioux Steel are built from heavy-gauge steel and designed to be placed along a fence line for easy access.
Stability is a key feature. The wide-set legs provide a solid base, and many models have holes in the feet so you can stake them to the ground for rock-solid placement. The V-shape also serves as a partial barrier, making it more difficult—though not impossible—for goats to stand directly in the trough.
This is a serious feeder for a farmer focused on minimizing waste and managing a larger herd. It’s an investment, but one that pays dividends by ensuring your feed is eaten, not trampled. Think of it as a long-term upgrade to your feeding system, built to last for a decade or more of hard use.
The DIY Tire Feeder: A Recycled, Sturdy Option
For the resourceful farmer, a discarded tractor or large truck tire can be transformed into one of the most effective anti-tip feeders available. It’s too heavy for a goat to move, has soft edges, and can often be acquired for free. Simply ensure the tire is thoroughly cleaned and has no exposed steel belts.
The simplest version is just the tire laid flat on the ground. For improved hygiene, you can bolt a shallow rubber or metal pan into the center cavity. This contains the feed and makes it significantly easier to remove old feed and clean the feeder properly.
The main tradeoff with a tire feeder is sanitation. Without a liner, the tire’s interior can be difficult to scrub, and rainwater can collect, creating a breeding ground for mosquitos and bacteria. It’s a fantastic, budget-friendly solution, but it demands more attention to cleanliness than a purpose-built feeder.
Choosing the Right Feeder for Your Goat Herd
There is no single "best" feeder that works for every situation. The right choice for your farm depends entirely on your specific needs, from herd size and breed to the layout of your pastures and barns. A portable fence feeder might be perfect for rotational grazing, while a heavy steel bunk is better for a permanent dry lot.
Before you make a purchase, consider the key factors that will impact your daily chores and your bottom line:
- Herd Size & Breed: Do you have a few mini-goats or a herd of large Boers? The feeder must be appropriately sized and durable.
- Location: Will the feeder be in an open pasture, a small pen, or a barn stall? This dictates whether you need portability or a permanent mount.
- Ease of Cleaning: How much time are you willing to spend scrubbing? Smooth plastic and steel are easier to sanitize than a recycled tire.
- Your Budget: While a cheap feeder saves money upfront, a durable one that prevents feed waste will save you more in the long run.
Often, the ideal setup involves using multiple types of feeders for different purposes. You might use a large bunk feeder for the herd’s morning grain, a few hanging feeders for a separate pen of kids, and a simple rubber tub for free-choice minerals. The goal is to build a system that is efficient, clean, and perfectly matched to the way you manage your animals.
Ultimately, the right feeder does more than just hold grain. It saves you money, protects the health of your herd, and removes a common source of daily frustration, letting you focus on the more enjoyable aspects of raising goats.
