6 Reinforced Crates For Transporting Livestock Feed That Prevent Common Issues

You’ve just returned from the feed store, wrestling three 50-pound bags from the back of your truck. One bag splits, spilling precious grain onto the muddy ground. This common frustration highlights a bigger issue: the feed bag itself is just temporary packaging, not a real solution for transport and storage on a working farm. Protecting your investment in quality feed from weather, pests, and spillage requires a dedicated, durable container.

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Why Standard Bins Fail for Feed Transport

Those thin-walled plastic totes from the big-box store seem like a good idea until they aren’t. They are designed for holiday decorations in a climate-controlled attic, not for the realities of farm life. The first time you slide one across a concrete floor or it gets brittle in a winter freeze, you’ll see a crack appear.

The lids are another major point of failure. Most are designed for simple dust protection, not to withstand a determined raccoon or a heavy downpour. A gust of wind can send a loose lid flying across the yard, exposing your feed to rain and inviting every bird in the county to a free meal. A proper feed crate is an investment in preventing waste and protecting animal health.

Rubbermaid Brute Tote for All-Weather Use

When you need a reliable, all-purpose container, the Brute is a classic for a reason. Its thick, flexible plastic construction resists cracking in extreme temperatures, from summer heat to deep winter cold. You can leave it in the back of a pickup during a rainstorm without a second thought, and its reinforced handles won’t buckle under the weight of a full load of grain.

The Brute’s lid snaps on securely, offering excellent resistance to water and opportunistic pests. While a determined bear or raccoon could eventually get in, it will deter casual thieves like squirrels and birds. Its primary strength is its sheer durability. It can be dropped, dragged, and generally abused in a way that would destroy lesser bins, making it a workhorse for daily feed transport from the main storage area to various coops and pens.

Akro-Mils Totes for Secure, Stackable Storage

If your feed room is tight on space, vertical storage is the answer. Akro-Mils and similar industrial-grade stacking totes are designed for exactly this purpose. Their straight sides and reinforced rims allow them to be stacked several units high without buckling or tipping, turning a cluttered floor into an organized wall of feed.

These totes are built for weight, easily handling 50-70 pounds of dense feed. The interlocking lids (often sold separately) create a stable, secure column. This system is ideal for farmers who use multiple types of feed—layer pellets in one, scratch grains in another, goat minerals in a third—and need to keep them clearly separated and accessible. The tradeoff for this organizational power is that they can be less ergonomic to carry long distances than a bin with more comfortable handles.

Behrens Galvanized Can for Rodent-Proofing

Plastic is tough, but a motivated rat can chew through it overnight. When rodent pressure is high, a galvanized steel can is non-negotiable. The solid metal construction presents an impenetrable barrier to mice, rats, and other chewing pests, protecting your feed from contamination and loss.

The tight-fitting lid and wire handle lock it down, creating a secure seal that also helps keep out moisture. While heavier and more cumbersome than plastic totes, the peace of mind is worth the extra effort. A steel can is the definitive solution when your primary battle is with rodents. Just be aware that if the galvanized coating gets deeply scratched, rust can eventually form, so it’s best to handle them with reasonable care.

Tuff Stuff Stock Tank for Bulk Feed Hauling

For those buying feed in bulk directly from the mill, a small tote won’t cut it. A heavy-duty muck bucket or a small stock tank, like those made by Tuff Stuff, offers a simple and effective way to haul several hundred pounds at once. You can place it in a truck bed or on a utility trailer and have the mill fill it directly, eliminating the hassle and waste of dealing with dozens of individual bags.

This method is purely for transport, not for storage. The open top offers zero protection from weather or pests once you get it home. The goal is to get the bulk feed from the mill to your secure, primary storage bins as efficiently as possible. It’s a tool for a specific job: moving a large volume of feed on a single trip.

Contico Pro TuffBin for Mobile Feed Transport

Think of this as a mobile feed locker. Modeled after construction site job boxes, these heavy-duty bins often feature wheels on one end and a sturdy handle on the other. This design is perfect for moving a full 50- or 100-pound supply of feed across uneven terrain from the barn to a distant pasture or paddock.

The Pro TuffBin’s best feature is its hinged, lockable lid. You can secure it with a padlock to keep out clever pests and prevent accidental opening during transport. This makes it an excellent option for storing feed in a less-secure location, like an open-sided run-in shed. While bulkier and more expensive, its combination of mobility and security fills a unique niche for farms with spread-out infrastructure.

IRIS Weathertight Box to Keep Feed Dry

Moisture is the enemy of feed, leading to mold, spoilage, and potential health issues for your livestock. If you live in a damp, humid climate or need to store feed in a less-than-ideal location like a damp basement or shed, a weathertight box is essential. These containers use a foam or rubber gasket in the lid and multiple locking clasps to create an airtight and waterproof seal.

While the plastic may not be as thick as a Brute tote, the protective seal is unmatched. This makes them the perfect choice for high-value feeds, medicated pellets, or sensitive supplements that degrade quickly when exposed to air and humidity. The primary function of an IRIS box is preservation, ensuring every scoop of feed is as fresh as the day you bought it. They are also great for keeping ants and other small insects out of sweet feeds.

Choosing a Crate for Your Farm’s Needs

There is no single "best" feed crate; the right choice depends entirely on your specific challenges. Before you buy, ask yourself a few key questions to clarify your priorities. Your answers will point you toward the ideal solution for your operation.

Consider these factors:

• Primary Threat: Are you fighting rain, rats, or just disorganization? A weathertight box won’t stop a rat, and a steel can won’t stack efficiently. Identify your biggest problem first.
• Volume and Frequency: Are you moving 20 pounds once a day or 200 pounds once a week? The scale of your transport needs will determine if you need a handheld tote or a larger bulk hauler.
• Storage Location: Will the bin live in a secure, dry feed room or a three-sided shelter exposed to the elements? The environment dictates the level of durability and weatherproofing required.
• Mobility: Does the feed stay in one place, or do you need to move it across your property? Wheels and comfortable handles become much more important for mobile feeding routines.

By matching the container’s strengths to your farm’s unique demands, you can create a feed transport system that is efficient, secure, and saves you money by preventing waste.

Ultimately, moving beyond the flimsy feed sack to a reinforced, purpose-built crate is a fundamental step in streamlining your chores. It transforms feed transport from a recurring problem into a solved one, giving you back time and peace of mind.