6 Best Large Outdoor Feed Bins For Alpacas That Prevent Feed Waste

You’ve just watched half a bale of expensive orchard grass get trampled into the mud because your alpacas decided their feeder was more of a toy. That pile of wasted hay is a pile of wasted money, a common frustration on any small farm. Choosing the right outdoor feed bin isn’t just about convenience; it’s a critical investment in reducing costs and keeping your herd healthy.

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Why a Good Alpaca Feed Bin Reduces Farm Costs

Feed waste is more than just an annoyance; it’s a direct hit to your budget. When alpacas pull hay from a poorly designed feeder, they drop much of it on the ground where it gets soiled by mud, manure, and moisture. Once it’s on the ground, they won’t eat it, and you’ve effectively thrown that money away.

A well-designed feeder minimizes this by making it harder for them to pull out large clumps or by catching what they drop. This means more of the feed you buy actually gets eaten. Over a year, saving even 15-20% of your hay bill adds up to a significant amount, often paying for the feeder itself in a single season.

Beyond the cost of the feed itself, consider the secondary costs. Spoiled, wet feed can grow mold, posing a health risk to your herd and leading to potential vet bills. Wasted feed also attracts rodents and other pests, creating another problem you have to manage. A good feeder contains the feed, keeping it clean, dry, and away from unwanted visitors.

Tarter Equine Hay Basket: A Top Hay-Saving Choice

Don’t let the "equine" name fool you; this feeder is fantastic for alpacas. The Tarter Hay Basket is essentially a large, elevated metal basket with a slow-feed grate on top. Alpacas must pull hay through the openings, which prevents them from grabbing huge mouthfuls and tossing them around. The basket design keeps the entire bale off the ground, eliminating contamination from mud and manure.

Its heavy-duty steel construction means it can withstand the elements and the occasional bump from a curious alpaca. The real benefit is the significant reduction in waste. Because the hay is contained and doled out slowly, you’ll find very little on the ground around the feeder. This design is particularly effective for herds that are notorious for playing with their food.

The main tradeoff is its height. While perfect for adult alpacas, very young crias might struggle to reach the hay comfortably. It’s also designed specifically for hay, so you’ll need a separate solution for grain or mineral supplements. But for its intended purpose—saving hay—it’s one of the best investments you can make.

Behlen Country 10′ Poly Bunk Feeder for Herds

When you’re feeding a small herd, space at the dinner table matters. The Behlen 10-foot bunk feeder provides ample room for multiple alpacas to eat side-by-side without a lot of pushing and shoving. This is crucial because less dominant animals often get bullied away from smaller feeders, missing out on their share.

Made from a single piece of molded polyethylene, this feeder is tough, rust-proof, and surprisingly lightweight. It won’t rot like wood or rust like a cheap metal trough. The smooth surface is also incredibly easy to clean—a quick spray with a hose is usually all it takes to remove leftover feed and grime.

This feeder’s versatility is a major plus. You can use it for hay, chopped forage, or pelleted feed. Its V-shaped bottom helps funnel feed to the center, making it easier for animals to clean up every last bit. The only real downside is its open-top design, which offers no protection from rain or snow, so it’s best placed in a sheltered area or used for feedings that are consumed in one go.

Hutchison Western Mineral Feeder for Supplements

Minerals and supplements are expensive, and letting them get ruined by weather is like setting cash on fire. A dedicated mineral feeder like the Hutchison Western is essential. Its hooded design protects the contents from rain, sun, and wind, ensuring your investment doesn’t wash away or clump into an unusable brick.

This feeder is designed with animal behavior in mind. The rubber flap allows easy access for the alpacas but keeps moisture and pests out. Because minerals are only consumed in small amounts, this protection is critical. You can fill it and be confident the contents will remain fresh and palatable for weeks.

Some people try to save money by putting minerals in an open dish or a section of a larger feeder. This is a false economy. You’ll lose far more to spoilage and contamination than you’d spend on a proper, weather-resistant feeder. A dedicated mineral feeder is a non-negotiable piece of equipment for responsible alpaca care.

Sioux Steel Creep Feeder for All-Weather Feeding

While the name "creep feeder" implies it’s for young animals, the utility of this design extends to any small herd needing all-weather protection for their feed. The Sioux Steel Creep Feeder is a covered bin with adjustable side stalls. For alpacas, you can simply use it as a covered feeding station that keeps rain and snow off your expensive pellets.

The all-steel construction is incredibly durable, standing up to harsh weather and curious animals. The feed is held in a central hopper and gravity-feeds down into the trough, ensuring a constant supply while protecting the bulk of the feed in the bin. This is perfect for providing a daily ration of pellets without worrying about a sudden downpour turning it into mush.

This feeder is a significant investment, but its value comes from its durability and feed-saving protection. If you live in an area with frequent rain or heavy snow, the amount of feed you save from spoilage can justify the cost. It provides peace of mind that your herd has access to clean, dry feed, no matter the forecast.

High Country Plastics Corner Feeder for Stability

Tipped-over feeders are a primary source of feed waste, especially in smaller enclosures or stalls. The High Country Plastics Corner Feeder solves this problem with its clever design. It fits snugly into a 90-degree corner and is meant to be bolted directly to the wall or posts, making it virtually impossible for an alpaca to knock over.

This feeder is ideal for grain, pellets, or supplements. Its deep basin prevents alpacas from easily pushing feed out with their noses. Made from heavy-duty, food-grade plastic, it’s safe for your animals and stands up to years of use without cracking or becoming brittle. Cleaning is also simple due to the smooth, non-porous surface.

While it’s not large enough to serve as a primary hay feeder for a whole herd, it’s an unbeatable solution for individual feeding, providing supplements, or for use in a catch pen or medical stall. Its stability ensures that every pellet you measure out has a chance to be eaten, not stomped into the bedding.

Priefert Tombstone Feeder Reduces Herd Competition

For farms feeding round bales of hay, the Priefert Tombstone Feeder is a classic for a reason. The vertical dividers, shaped like tombstones, create individual eating stations around the bale. This simple design feature is brilliant for managing herd dynamics. It prevents a dominant alpaca from guarding the entire bale and gives more timid animals a protected space to eat.

By keeping the bale contained and elevated off the ground, it drastically cuts down on waste from trampling and contamination. Alpacas have to reach through the slats, which discourages them from pulling out and dropping large wads of hay. This feeder is built from heavy-gauge steel and is designed to last for decades, making it a solid long-term investment.

The main consideration is space; these feeders are large and heavy. They are best suited for pastures rather than small paddocks. However, if you have the space and feed round bales, the reduction in waste and labor—you only have to put out a new bale every week or two—is a game-changer for farm efficiency.

Final Checklist for Selecting Your Alpaca Feeder

Choosing the right feeder isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the right one for your specific situation. Before you buy, run through this checklist to clarify your needs and avoid a costly mistake. Answering these questions will point you toward the perfect solution for your farm.

• What is my primary feed type? Is it hay, pellets, or supplements? Some feeders are specialists, while others are generalists.
• How large is my herd? You need enough space for everyone to eat peacefully. A long bunk feeder serves a group, while a corner feeder is for individuals.
• What is my climate? If you get a lot of rain or snow, a covered feeder is a must-have to prevent spoilage.
• Where will the feeder be located? A feeder for an open pasture has different requirements than one for a stall or a small paddock. Consider stability and weather exposure.
• What is my budget? Think of a feeder as an investment. Sometimes spending more upfront on a durable, waste-reducing model saves you much more in the long run.
• How important is portability? Do you need to move the feeder between pastures, or will it stay in one place? Weight and design will be key factors.

Ultimately, the best feeder is one that fits your management style and respects the natural behavior of your alpacas. By investing in equipment that protects feed from weather and waste, you’re not just buying a piece of plastic or metal. You’re buying more time, less work, and a healthier, more cost-effective herd.