6 Plastic Vs Metal Grain Feeders For Livestock On a Homestead Budget

You’ve been there. You walk out to the barn at dawn and find the goat feeder cracked down the middle, with half the morning’s grain spilled into the mud. Now you face a classic homestead dilemma: replace it with another cheap plastic one, or invest in a metal trough that might outlast the goats themselves? Choosing the right feeder isn’t just about holding grain; it’s about saving money, reducing waste, and making your daily chores a little bit easier.

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Plastic Vs. Metal: Key Feeder Considerations

The debate between plastic and metal comes down to a few core tradeoffs. Plastic feeders are lightweight, easy to move for cleaning, and almost always cheaper upfront. They won’t rust, which is a major advantage in wet climates or for holding wet feeds like beet pulp.

The downside is durability. Intense sun can make plastic brittle over time, and extreme cold can make it prone to cracking under impact. A well-aimed kick from a calf or the persistent chewing of a bored goat can destroy a plastic feeder in a single season. You save money now, but you might be buying another one next year.

Metal, typically galvanized steel, is the heavyweight champion of durability. It stands up to abuse from large livestock, won’t get brittle in the sun, and resists chewing. A good steel trough is a long-term investment that can easily last a decade or more, making its higher initial cost more palatable over time.

However, metal isn’t invincible. Once the galvanized coating is scratched or worn away, rust will set in. They are also heavy, making them a pain to move for pasture rotation or a deep clean. The choice isn’t just plastic versus metal; it’s about what you’re willing to trade—upfront cost for longevity, or convenience for raw strength.

Little Giant Plastic Fence Feeder Durability

The plastic fence feeder is a staple on many small homesteads for a reason. It’s affordable, portable, and perfect for smaller stock like sheep, goats, or weaned calves. You can hang it on a fence panel or gate, keeping the feed off the ground and at a comfortable height for the animals.

Their weakness is their construction. While convenient, the plastic hooks can become brittle and snap, especially in cold weather when a heavy-handed animal bumps it. Goats, notorious for testing the limits of their equipment, can chew the edges or stand in the feeder, eventually causing it to crack.

Think of these feeders as a short-term or light-duty solution. They are excellent for separating a specific animal for special rations or for use in a temporary pen. But if you’re looking for a permanent feeding solution for a herd that’s rough on its gear, expect to replace these every couple of years.

Behlen Country Galvanized Trough Longevity

When you need a simple, no-nonsense feeder that just works, a galvanized steel trough is the answer. These are the workhorses you see on farms everywhere, and their longevity is proven. The design is basic: a tub of steel that holds feed.

Its strength lies in its weight and rigid construction. You can place it in a field with hogs or cattle, and while they might push it around, they are unlikely to break it. The galvanized coating provides excellent protection against rust, as long as it remains intact. For feeding a group of animals at once, the trough design minimizes competition and allows several to eat side-by-side.

The main drawback is its lack of portability. Once you fill a 4-foot steel trough with feed, you aren’t moving it easily. Deep scratches from farm equipment or repeated scraping with a metal shovel can also compromise the coating, creating a starting point for rust. Even so, a well-cared-for galvanized trough will easily outlast any plastic competitor.

Tuff Stuff Stock Tank: A Versatile Option

Don’t overlook the humble black plastic stock tank as a feeder. While designed for water, its flexible, impact-resistant plastic makes it an incredibly versatile feeding option. These tanks can be frozen solid, kicked by a horse, or baked in the sun, and they just bounce back.

Their depth is both a pro and a con. It holds a large volume of feed, reducing the frequency of refills. However, that same depth can lead to waste, as animals may dig through the feed, and smaller stock might struggle to reach the bottom. They are also bulky, but light enough for one person to move when empty.

This is the go-to option when you need one piece of equipment to do many jobs. Today it’s a grain feeder for your pigs; tomorrow it’s a water trough for the cows; next spring it’s a mobile chick brooder or a planter for potatoes. Its versatility is its greatest strength.

Tarter Steel Tank‘s Superior Weather Resistance

If you want to buy one feeder and potentially pass it down to your grandkids, the Tarter-style galvanized steel stock tank is it. These are a significant step up from the simple troughs in both weight and construction. Their rounded shape and rolled lip make them safer for animals, with no sharp corners.

This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it solution. It can sit in a pasture through blizzards and heat waves for decades with minimal wear. Its sheer weight means that even large cattle won’t be able to flip it or push it far. This is the definition of a long-term infrastructure investment for your farm.

The cost and weight are the only real barriers. These tanks are expensive, and once you place a larger one, you’ll need a tractor to move it again. It’s complete overkill for a few goats or a flock of chickens, but for a small herd of cattle or a group of horses, its weather resistance and durability are unmatched.

Farm-Tuff Hanging Feeder for Reducing Waste

For poultry or other small animals prone to wasting feed, a hanging feeder changes the game. By elevating the feed off the ground, you immediately solve several problems. It prevents chickens from scratching feed out onto the ground, and it keeps droppings and dirt from contaminating the supply.

These feeders, whether plastic or metal, are designed to dispense feed slowly as animals eat from the bottom tray. This drastically reduces spoilage and ensures the feed stays clean and dry. They are an excellent choice for use inside a coop or a covered run where you can hang them securely.

Their limitation is capacity and application. They are not suitable for large livestock and require a sturdy overhead point to hang from. Refilling them can also be more cumbersome than simply dumping a bag into a trough. However, the money saved on wasted feed often pays for the feeder itself within a year.

Rugged Rancher Steel Feeder for Large Stock

For homesteaders with horses or a few head of cattle, a purpose-built steel feeder is a serious upgrade. These often combine a grain trough with a hay rack, allowing you to provide both feed types in one location. The heavy-gauge steel is designed to withstand the immense pressure and abuse from 1,000-pound animals.

Features like pre-drilled holes for bolting to a wall or floor add stability, preventing animals from flipping the feeder and wasting expensive grain. The designs often incorporate smooth, rounded edges to prevent injury. This is a piece of equipment designed for safety and efficiency with large, powerful livestock.

This is a specialized tool, and it comes with a high price tag and zero versatility. It’s heavy, difficult to move, and designed for one job only. For the homesteader focused on larger stock, however, it’s an investment in safety and waste reduction that a simple trough can’t match.

Final Verdict: Matching Feeder to Farm Needs

There is no single "best" feeder. The right choice is entirely dependent on your specific animals, climate, and budget. Trying to use a single feeder for every purpose on the farm is a recipe for frustration.

Instead, think in terms of matching the tool to the job:

• For Goats & Sheep: Start with an affordable Little Giant Plastic Fence Feeder, but be prepared for it to be a consumable item. For a more permanent solution, a small Behlen Galvanized Trough is a better long-term buy.
• For Hogs & Cattle: Durability is non-negotiable. A Behlen Galvanized Trough is the minimum standard, while a Tarter Steel Tank is a buy-it-for-life investment.
• For Poultry: A Farm-Tuff Hanging Feeder is essential. It will pay for itself in saved feed by preventing scratching and contamination.
• For Maximum Versatility: The Tuff Stuff Stock Tank is the homestead’s multi-tool. It can serve as a feeder, waterer, or whatever else you need it to be in a pinch.

Your goal isn’t to find the perfect feeder, but the right feeder for the task at hand. Sometimes a cheap, replaceable option is the smartest move. Other times, investing in heavy steel is the only way to avoid buying the same piece of equipment over and over again. Assess your needs honestly, and choose accordingly.

In the end, the best feeder is the one that keeps your animals fed, your grain bill down, and your chore list short. Whether it’s a five-dollar plastic bucket or a hundred-dollar steel tank, if it works for your system, it’s the right choice for your homestead.