6 Hay Feeder Hardware Options That Prevent Common Issues

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Choosing a Feeder to Reduce Hay Waste & Costs

Hay is one of the biggest recurring expenses on any farm with livestock. When you feed on the ground, you can expect to lose up to 40% of that hay to trampling, manure, and moisture. That’s like throwing away four out of every ten bales you buy.

A well-designed feeder physically separates the animal from the bulk of its forage. This simple barrier prevents them from using their meal as a mattress or a toilet. It keeps the hay contained, clean, and palatable, ensuring that what you paid for actually gets eaten.

But it’s not just about money. The wrong feeding setup can contribute to health problems. Hay thrown on sandy or dusty ground can lead to sand colic, while feeders that force an unnatural eating position can cause respiratory or chiropractic issues over time. The goal is to find a solution that saves hay and supports the long-term well-being of your animals.

Derby Originals Slow Feed Net for Paced Grazing

The slow feed net is one of the most popular solutions for a reason: it works. By forcing animals to pull small bites of hay through a grid of openings, these nets mimic the slow, steady consumption of natural grazing. This is a game-changer for digestive health, preventing the gut issues that can arise from bolting down a large meal.

This paced eating has other benefits, too. For horses or goats that are "easy keepers," a slow feed net helps manage weight by extending meal times and preventing overconsumption. It also reduces boredom and the destructive behaviors that can come with it, like chewing on fences or stall walls.

Of course, there are tradeoffs. Filling hay nets, especially in freezing weather, can be a chore. More importantly, safety is paramount. A net hung too low can become an entanglement hazard for a shod horse or an animal with horns. Always hang them high enough that a hoof can’t get caught, or use them inside a solid feeder as a liner.

Tarter Equine Hay Basket Protects from Weather

For feeding small square bales in a paddock or small pasture, a basket-style feeder is a solid, straightforward option. The Tarter Equine Hay Basket is a common example of this design—a sturdy metal basket that keeps the bale contained and elevated slightly off the ground. This simple elevation is key to preventing moisture from wicking up from the ground and spoiling the bottom of the bale.

The primary advantage here is weather protection. Left on the ground, a bale will soak up rain and morning dew, quickly becoming a breeding ground for mold. A basket feeder, especially one with a slow-feed grate on top, keeps the hay dry and clean. It allows animals to eat in a more natural, head-down position without inhaling as much dust.

This design isn’t without its own maintenance needs. Hay fines and dust will accumulate at the bottom, creating a dense, damp layer if not cleaned out periodically. It also doesn’t slow down consumption as effectively as a small-hole net, so a determined animal can still pull out large mouthfuls and drop some on the ground.

Behlen Country Corner Rack for Stall Feeding

The wall-mounted corner rack is a classic for a reason: it’s a space-efficient and durable solution for stall feeding. Made of heavy-gauge steel bars, it bolts directly into the corner of a stall, keeping hay completely off the floor and away from manure and urine. It’s incredibly simple to fill and virtually indestructible.

This design forces the animal to eat with its head in a slightly raised position. This prevents them from dropping hay and re-eating it from soiled bedding, which is a definite plus for hygiene. The wide-spaced bars allow for easy access, so it’s a good option for animals that get frustrated with slow feeders.

However, the elevated eating position is also its biggest drawback. As the animal pulls hay from the rack, small particles, dust, and seeds can fall into their eyes and nostrils. For a healthy horse, this might just be a minor annoyance. For an animal with respiratory sensitivities like heaves or RAO, this design can be a serious health risk.

Sioux Steel Bale Feeder for Pasture Use

When you’re feeding round bales in a pasture, a ring-style feeder is non-negotiable. Placing a round bale in a field without one is an open invitation for your livestock to waste half of it. They’ll use it for bedding, scratching, and a toilet, compacting and soiling the hay until it’s inedible.

A Sioux Steel Bale Feeder, or a similar model, creates a physical barrier that forces animals to eat from the perimeter. This single change can cut hay waste from over 50% down to as little as 10-20%. These feeders are built to withstand the abuse of large animals and harsh weather for years, making the upfront investment well worth it in saved hay.

Not all round bale feeders are created equal. Look for models with a solid or skirted bottom section, which does a much better job of catching and containing the hay that drops as animals eat. Some designs even include an interior cone or basket that keeps the bale centered and forces animals to reach for it, further reducing waste. The main consideration is that you need a tractor or skid steer to lift the feeder and place the bale.

The Upcycled Tractor Tire Feeder for DIY Savings

For the resourceful hobby farmer, a discarded tractor tire is one of the best DIY feeder options available. They are incredibly tough, will never rust or rot, and have no sharp edges to injure an animal. Best of all, they can often be acquired for free from a local tire shop or farm.

The process is simple: lay the tire flat on the ground and fill it with hay. Its weight and low profile make it extremely stable, and the rubber lip does an excellent job of containing the forage. It allows for a natural, ground-level eating posture and is heavy enough that even large animals won’t push it around the pasture.

There is one critical, non-negotiable safety step. You must have the steel bead cut out of the inner rim of the tire. Leaving the steel bead in creates a dangerous trap where an animal can get its head or a leg caught, leading to catastrophic injury. You also need to drill several large drainage holes in the bottom sidewall to prevent rainwater from pooling and turning your hay into a swamp.

Tough-1 Collapsible Hay Hoop for Safety

The hay hoop is a clever evolution of the hay net. It’s a wall-mounted metal ring that holds a slow feed net open, making it significantly easier and faster to fill. You simply drop the hay in from the top instead of wrestling with a drawstring.

Its biggest selling point is safety. Unlike a hay net tied to a post, the Tough-1 Collapsible Hay Hoop is designed to release under extreme pressure. If a horse were to get a leg tangled and panic, the hoop’s arm will swing flat against the wall or break away entirely, dramatically reducing the risk of a serious accident.

This feeder combines the best of both worlds: the paced-grazing benefits of a net with the safety and convenience of a fixed feeder. It keeps hay off the floor, reduces waste, and encourages healthy eating patterns. It’s an ideal solution for stall use, particularly for clever horses who might otherwise figure out how to get into trouble with a standard hanging net.

Key Factors in Selecting Your Ideal Hay Feeder

There is no single "best" hay feeder for every farm. The right choice is a balance of your specific needs, your animals’ habits, and your budget. Thinking through the variables before you buy is the key to making a smart investment.

Start by evaluating your unique situation. A feeder that’s perfect for two goats in a dry lot is completely wrong for a herd of cattle in a snowy pasture. Consider these key factors:

• Animal Type & Needs: Are your animals shod or horned? Do you have an easy keeper that needs a slow feeder, or an older animal that needs low, easy access?
• Location: Will the feeder be in a stall, a small paddock, or a large, exposed pasture? Weather protection is critical outdoors.
• Hay Type: Are you feeding small square bales, large round bales, or loose hay? The feeder must match the forage.
• Safety: What are the potential entanglement risks? A feeder’s safety profile is its most important feature.
• Budget & Labor: Balance the upfront cost of the feeder against long-term hay savings. Also, consider how much time and effort it takes to fill and clean.

The best way to decide is to watch how your animals eat. Pay attention to how they waste hay—do they drop it, trample it, or soil it? Your animals’ behavior will point you directly to the feeder that solves your biggest problem.

Ultimately, a good hay feeder is an investment that pays for itself. It saves money on wasted feed, reduces labor, and promotes better health and contentment in your animals. By choosing the right hardware for your specific farm, you turn a major expense into a well-managed resource.