6 Best Metal Feed Bins For Deterring Mice From Horse Feed That Old Farmers Swear By
Keep mice out of your horse feed with time-tested solutions. Discover 6 top metal bins, from galvanized steel to locking lids, that old farmers trust.
There’s nothing more frustrating than opening a bag of horse feed to find it’s been turned into a mouse buffet and latrine. It’s not just the wasted money on contaminated grain; it’s the health risk to your animals. The war against rodents in the barn is constant, and your feed bin is the most important fortress.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Metal Bins Beat Plastic for Rodent Control
Plastic feed bins are a false economy. A determined mouse sees a plastic container not as a barrier, but as a minor inconvenience. They will chew through it, and it’s only a matter of when.
The truth is, a mouse can gnaw through almost anything softer than its teeth, and that includes every plastic bin on the market. Once they create a small entry point, the container is compromised forever. That’s why you see so many barns with plastic bins patched with duct tape—a losing battle.
Galvanized steel, on the other hand, is a full stop. Mice cannot chew through it. It’s a simple, physical barrier that works every single time. Beyond rodent control, metal bins stand up to the general abuse of a barn environment, from stray kicks to being knocked by a wheelbarrow, in a way plastic never will.
Behrens Galvanized Can: The Timeless 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 a hundred times for a reason. The classic Behrens galvanized steel can is the baseline for effective feed storage. It’s simple, relatively inexpensive, and it does the fundamental job of keeping mice out.
Its effectiveness comes down to one thing: the lid. The tight-fitting, overlapping lid leaves no edge for a mouse to get its teeth into. Without a starting point, they can’t gnaw and they can’t get leverage to pry it open. The offset bottom keeps the can off the ground, and the wire handles make it easy to haul a single 50-pound bag from the feed room to the stalls.
The tradeoff is its simplicity. The lid isn’t latched, so a clever raccoon might figure it out. It’s also not waterproof or airtight, so it’s best used inside a relatively dry barn or tack room. Think of it as the perfect, no-frills solution for storing one or two bags of feed securely.
Little Giant Galvanized Bin: Secure Lid Design
When you need a step up from the basic can, the Little Giant line is where many farmers look. These are specifically designed as feed bins, not just general-purpose cans, and the small design details make a difference. The key upgrade here is almost always the lid security.
Many Little Giant models feature a locking handle or a lid design that is much harder for any pest—rodent or otherwise—to pop open. A simple gravity-held lid can be dislodged if the can is knocked over, but a locking mechanism prevents that entirely. This is crucial if you have barn dogs, goats, or other curious animals that might try to raid the feed.
These bins also tend to have better construction. The seams are often tighter, and the heavy-duty galvanized steel resists corrosion. A recessed, raised bottom helps keep moisture away from the feed, preventing mold and spoilage. It’s a more purpose-built tool for the job.
Tarter Galvanized Feed Bin for Bulk Storage
Keep bird seed fresh and secure with this galvanized steel storage bin. It holds up to 25 pounds and features a locking lid, integrated scoop, and side pocket for easy dispensing.
For anyone with more than a couple of horses, buying feed one bag at a time is a recipe for wasted time and money. The Tarter bulk bin is the classic solution for storing hundreds of pounds of feed at once. This is for the hobby farmer who buys by the quarter-ton to get a better price.
These bins are defined by their size and features built for convenience at scale. A slanted, hinged lid makes for easy filling and scooping, and the slant helps shed rain if the bin must be kept in a more exposed area like a run-in shed. Many models also come with internal dividers, allowing you to store different types of feed—like a senior grain and a ration balancer—in the same container.
Of course, the main consideration is space. A bulk bin is a permanent piece of equipment that you need to dedicate a specific spot to. But its value is undeniable. It simplifies your feed routine, protects a large investment, and is completely impenetrable to rodents.
Miller Manufacturing Bin: Heavy-Duty Steel
Miller Manufacturing has a reputation for building tough, no-nonsense farm equipment, and their feed bins are no exception. If your barn is a high-traffic area and you know your equipment is going to take a beating, this is the brand to consider. The difference is in the metal itself.
The key feature here is a heavier gauge of steel. This means the walls are thicker, more rigid, and far more resistant to dents and dings. A significant dent near the rim of a lesser can could warp it just enough to break the lid’s seal, giving pests an opportunity. A heavy-duty Miller bin is built to prevent that kind of damage.
The design philosophy is one of brute force. The lid is heavy and fits snugly, relying on its own weight and precise fit for security rather than complex latches. It’s an investment in pure durability, ensuring the bin you buy today will be just as rodent-proof in a decade.
SSI Schaefer Steel Totes: The Indestructible Pick
Sometimes the best tool for the farm wasn’t originally designed for it. SSI Schaefer makes industrial steel totes and containers for manufacturing and logistics, and they happen to be some of the most indestructible feed bins you can find. Their strength lies in their construction.
These totes are often made from single sheets of steel or have deeply reinforced corners and folded seams. This eliminates the weak points. There are no crevices or thin spots for a rodent to even consider exploiting. They are also designed to be perfectly stackable, which is a massive advantage in a tight feed room where floor space is at a premium.
The one catch is that they aren’t sold as "feed bins," so they may not come with a perfectly fitted lid. However, a simple, heavy piece of plywood or a custom-cut sheet of metal on top solves that problem easily. The container itself is the fortress, and for sheer impenetrability, nothing beats industrial-grade steel.
Vestil Steel Hopper: Easy Feed Dispensing
For maximum efficiency, a storage bin that also dispenses feed is a game-changer. The Vestil steel hopper is a specialized tool designed for just that. It stores the feed securely while making it incredibly easy to get out.
The design is simple and smart. The bin’s floor is angled, funneling all the grain down to a small chute at the bottom. You open a small sliding gate and dispense the exact amount you need directly into a bucket. This eliminates digging around in a half-empty bin and reduces feed dust in the air.
This is the perfect solution for a busy operation where speed and consistency are key. The main thing to check is that the sliding gate mechanism is also made of heavy-duty metal and closes tightly. As long as that access point is secure, the hopper offers an unbeatable combination of rodent-proof storage and ergonomic dispensing.
Choosing Your Bin: Lid, Gauge, and Location
Ultimately, the best bin for you comes down to three factors. First and foremost is the lid. An overlapping lid that a mouse can’t get its teeth on is the minimum requirement. A locking or latching lid is even better, especially if you have other curious critters.
Second is the steel gauge. The gauge number is inverse to thickness—a lower number means thicker, more durable steel. For a bin that will live in a busy aisle, a lower gauge (like 20-gauge) is worth the extra cost to prevent dents that can compromise the lid’s seal.
Finally, consider the location. No galvanized bin is completely rust-proof forever, especially on a damp concrete floor. Elevating your bin, even just on a couple of 2x4s or a small pallet, will prevent moisture from wicking up and causing corrosion. It also lifts the lid seam further from the ground, making it that much harder for a mouse to investigate.
Choosing the right metal feed bin isn’t just about stopping mice; it’s a one-time investment in protecting your feed, your animals’ health, and your peace of mind. It simplifies your chores and pays for itself quickly in saved grain and averted vet bills. Pick the right one, and you can cross one major barn worry off your list for good.
