6 Best Goat Feeders for Durability
Goats play rough, but their feeders shouldn’t break. We review 6 top reinforced corner feeders built for durability and to save valuable pen space.
You install a brand-new feeder, fill it with expensive grain, and turn your back for five minutes. When you return, it’s cracked, dangling from a single screw, and the goats are happily cleaning up the spilled feed from the bedding. This isn’t just frustrating; it’s a waste of money and time that hobby farmers simply can’t afford. Investing in a feeder built to withstand the relentless abuse of a goat herd is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
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Finding Feeders That Withstand Goat Antics
Goats don’t just eat from feeders; they use them as back-scratchers, head-butting practice dummies, and jungle gyms. A standard plastic bucket or flimsy trough won’t last a week. The key is looking for materials and designs that anticipate this destructive creativity.
Heavy-duty polyethylene or thick, molded plastics are your first line of defense. These materials have some give, absorbing the impact from a well-aimed kick or a sparring match. Metal is another option, but look for galvanized steel to resist rust and models with rolled edges to prevent cuts. Avoid thin metal that can be easily dented, creating sharp points.
The shape and mounting system are just as critical as the material. A corner feeder uses the stall’s structure for support, reducing the number of exposed sides your goats can leverage. Look for feeders with thick, reinforced mounting holes or included heavy-gauge metal brackets. A feeder is only as strong as its connection to the wall.
Little Giant CF11 Heavy-Duty Corner Feeder
The Little Giant corner feeder is a common sight on small farms for a reason. It’s made from a tough, heavy-duty polyethylene that resists cracking even in cold weather, a frequent failure point for cheaper plastics. Its design is simple and effective, with a rounded front edge that makes it difficult for a goat to get a good grip for chewing or pulling.
This feeder holds a substantial amount of feed or minerals, around 11 quarts, which is great for serving a few goats at once without constant refilling. The smooth interior surfaces also make it remarkably easy to clean out. Just be prepared to supply your own hardware.
The biggest consideration with the Little Giant is the installation. While the mounting holes are solid, their strength depends entirely on how you attach the feeder to the wall. Use large washers with your lag bolts to distribute the pressure and prevent the screws from pulling through the plastic when a bored Nigerian Dwarf decides to use it as a chin-up bar.
High Country Plastics CF-20 Molded Corner Feeder
High Country Plastics takes durability seriously, and their CF-20 corner feeder is a testament to that. It’s constructed from a single piece of molded, FDA-approved, food-grade plastic. This seamless design eliminates weak points and joints that can fail under stress.
The standout feature is its robust, rounded shape. There are no sharp corners or thin edges for a goat to target. The mounting points are exceptionally thick, designed to be bolted securely into the corner of a stall or shelter. This feeder feels substantial right out of the box.
With a 20-quart capacity, it’s one of the larger options available, making it suitable for bigger breeds like Boers or for serving multiple smaller goats. The deep bowl helps minimize feed spillage from enthusiastic eaters. While it carries a higher price tag, its longevity often makes it a more economical choice over time compared to replacing cheaper feeders every year.
Tuff Stuff KMC100: A Rugged, All-Purpose Option
Sometimes the best tool for the job isn’t the one designed specifically for it. The Tuff Stuff 26-gallon stock tank, often used as a corner feeder, is a perfect example. Made from a low-density polyethylene with an impact-resistant, rubberized feel, this tub is practically indestructible. You can kick it, stomp on it, and it just flexes and pops back into shape.
This isn’t a purpose-built corner feeder, so it requires some DIY spirit to mount. Most people drill holes through the thick rim and use lag bolts with large fender washers to secure it directly to the stall walls. This custom approach allows you to set the height perfectly for your animals, from small kids to full-grown bucks.
The sheer toughness of the material is its main advantage. It absorbs headbutts without cracking and is too thick for most goats to chew effectively. Its large capacity also makes it a fantastic mineral feeder or water trough in a pinch. If you’ve had goats destroy every other plastic feeder you’ve tried, this is your next logical step.
Weaver Leather Poly Corner Feeder with Brackets
Weaver Leather is well-known for its durable livestock supplies, and their corner feeder is no exception. What sets this model apart is that it often comes as a complete kit, including heavy-gauge, coated steel brackets. This solves one of the most common failure points: the hardware.
The feeder itself is made of a resilient polyethylene, but the brackets are the real heroes. They provide a solid frame that distributes the force of any impacts across a wider area of the wall. This prevents screws from pulling out and reduces stress on the plastic feeder itself, making the entire system much stronger than a feeder bolted directly to the wall.
This feeder is a great middle-of-the-road option. It’s tough enough for most situations and the included hardware takes the guesswork out of a secure installation. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants a reliable, out-of-the-box solution without needing to piece together their own mounting system.
Behrens Galvanized Steel Corner Manger Feeder
Feed multiple animals at once with this durable, hook-over trough. Its galvanized steel grid provides six feeding slots and easily mounts on standard boards or wire panels.
For the truly determined chewer, sometimes plastic just won’t cut it. The Behrens galvanized steel feeder offers a completely different level of durability. Goats simply cannot chew through steel, which immediately eliminates a primary mode of destruction.
This feeder is built for abuse. It’s resistant to kicks, headbutts, and the general wear and tear of farm life. The galvanized coating provides excellent protection against rust, and the pre-drilled holes make for a straightforward installation. Its smooth, non-porous surface is also incredibly easy to sanitize.
However, steel has its own tradeoffs. If the galvanized coating gets deeply scratched, rust can set in. A powerful impact from a large goat could potentially dent the feeder, and you’d need to ensure no sharp edges are created. It can also be noisy when goats are banging around in it, which might be a consideration depending on your barn setup.
Farm Innovators Model H-419 Heated Corner Bowl
In cold climates, providing unfrozen water is a constant battle. The Farm Innovators Heated Corner Bowl addresses this head-on while still offering a durable design. This 5-quart bowl is thermostatically controlled to keep water just above freezing, encouraging hydration during the coldest months without wasting electricity.
The bowl itself is made from a strong plastic designed to handle the elements and the animals. While the primary feature is the heating element, its corner-mount design and sturdy construction make it a viable option even for non-heated use. The power cord is wrapped in a steel coil to deter chewing, a critical feature for any electrical device used with goats.
The main consideration here is the need for a safe electrical outlet. You must ensure the cord is completely protected from the animals and the elements. While it’s tougher than a standard bucket, its primary purpose is heating, not withstanding the same level of abuse as a Tuff Stuff tank. It’s a specialized tool that solves a major winter problem.
Securing Your Feeder Against Headbutts and Kicks
The world’s toughest feeder is useless if it’s ripped off the wall. A secure installation is non-negotiable. Always bolt feeders into solid wood, like a stall post or a horizontal bracing board, never just into the plywood or OSB wall sheathing.
Use lag bolts, not screws. A 3/8-inch or 5/16-inch diameter lag bolt, long enough to sink at least 1.5 inches into the solid backing, is ideal. Place a wide fender washer between the bolt head and the feeder’s plastic mounting hole. This small metal disc dramatically increases the surface area, preventing the bolt head from pulling through the plastic under pressure.
Think like a goat when choosing the location. Mount the feeder snugly in a corner to minimize wiggle room. Don’t leave a gap behind it where a horn could get stuck. Positioning it at the correct height—chest-high for your average goat—discourages them from trying to climb or stand in it. A solid installation is your final and most important line of defense.
Choosing the right feeder isn’t about finding one that’s indestructible, because nothing truly is when goats are involved. It’s about buying yourself time and reducing the frequency of repairs and replacements. By matching a durable feeder to a rock-solid installation, you can finally win the war against broken equipment and wasted feed.
