6 Best Portable Tack Lockers For Predator Protection On a Homestead Budget

There’s nothing more frustrating than walking out to the barn at dawn to find a 50-pound bag of layer feed ripped to shreds. You’re not just out the money for the feed; you’ve also just sent a written invitation to every raccoon, opossum, and rodent in a five-mile radius. Secure storage isn’t just about keeping your tack organized—it’s a critical first line of defense in managing pests and predators on a budget.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Beyond Tack: Predator-Proofing with Lockers

Most people see a "tack locker" and think only of saddles and bridles. We need to think bigger. On a homestead, these secure boxes are multi-purpose vaults for anything that smells interesting to a hungry animal.

Think about what attracts predators: feed, minerals, medical supplies, and even sweet-smelling supplements. A standard plastic bin won’t stop a raccoon with an hour to kill, and a feed sack is an open buffet for mice. A lockable, durable chest transforms these liabilities into secure assets. The goal isn’t just to protect your supplies, but to make your barn and coops boring, unattractive places for pests to visit.

Husky 37-inch Job Box for Bulk Feed Storage

When you need uncompromising security for bulk storage, a steel job site box is your answer. The Husky 37-inch model is a fortress. It’s designed to stop thieves with bolt cutters, which means it laughs at the efforts of raccoons and rodents.

Its heavy-gauge steel construction is completely chew-proof. The recessed lock system protects your padlocks from being tampered with or gnawed on. This is the perfect solution for storing multiple bags of feed in a semi-permanent location, like inside a barn or on a covered porch.

The main tradeoff is its weight. This is not a box you’ll be casually moving around the property. But for stationary, high-security needs where you absolutely cannot afford a breach, the peace of mind that comes with a steel job box is worth every pound. It’s an investment that pays for itself the first time a bear wanders through and moves on.

DeWalt ToughSystem: A Secure, Stackable Option

The DeWalt ToughSystem brings modularity and organization to homestead storage. These aren’t just boxes; they’re interlocking components that let you build a custom storage solution. You can have one box for chicken feed, a smaller one for goat minerals, and another for your poultry first-aid kit, all stacked and locked together.

Made from thick, durable plastic with heavy-duty metal latches, they offer a significant step up from typical consumer-grade totes. The integrated water seal is a major benefit, keeping feed bone-dry even in a damp barn, which prevents mold and spoilage. While a truly desperate rodent could eventually chew through the plastic, the tight seals and robust construction deter all but the most determined pests.

The real strength here is versatility. You can grab the one "chick starter" box you need without disturbing the others. It’s a system that grows with your homestead, allowing you to add modules as your needs change. This blend of security, weather resistance, and organization is hard to beat.

Stanley FatMax Mobile Chest: Portability & Safety

Sometimes you need to move 50 pounds of feed from the garage to the chicken run at the far end of your property. This is where a mobile tool chest like the Stanley FatMax shines. It combines the volume of a large trunk with the convenience of a suitcase.

The built-in wheels and telescoping handle are game-changers, saving your back from the repetitive strain of hauling heavy bags. The chest itself is made of tough structural foam plastic, and its large metal latches are lockable. This provides solid protection against rain, moisture, and casual pests.

This is the ideal solution for homesteaders with multiple animal enclosures spread across their land. You can load it up with everything you need for morning chores and wheel it from the coop to the rabbit hutches. It’s the perfect balance of portability and protection, making daily tasks more efficient and keeping your valuable supplies secure on the move.

Rubbermaid ActionPacker for All-Weather Defense

The Rubbermaid ActionPacker is a legend for a reason. It’s tough, weather-resistant, and surprisingly secure for its price point. While often used for camping gear, its features make it an excellent choice for homestead feed and supply storage.

Constructed from a high-density polyethylene, these bins can be dropped, kicked, and left out in the rain without failing. The lid has a snug, interlocking fit, and the lockable latches are sturdy enough to deter most nuisance animals. A simple padlock is all it takes to make it a tough nut for a raccoon to crack.

The ActionPacker is a fantastic all-around choice. It’s light enough to be moved easily but durable enough to live in the back of a truck or next to a coop year-round. It won’t stop a bear, but for keeping feed dry and safe from the vast majority of common homestead pests, it offers incredible value and reliability.

Plano Sportsman’s Trunk: A Lightweight Choice

For those on the tightest budget or who prioritize light weight, the Plano Sportsman’s Trunk is a solid contender. These trunks are simple, affordable, and offer a basic level of security and organization that is a massive improvement over feed sacks on the floor.

They are designed with molded grooves for easy stacking and feature multiple tie-down points, which is useful for securing them in a truck bed or on an ATV. While the plastic is thinner than an ActionPacker or a DeWalt box, the lid is fully removable and can be secured with padlocks at each end.

Let’s be clear: this is a deterrent, not a vault. A determined squirrel could likely chew through a corner if given enough time. However, for storing things like bedding, bagged minerals, or tools, and for keeping things generally organized and protected from the elements, it’s an effective and highly affordable option.

Behrens Galvanized Steel Can: A Classic Choice

Sometimes the old ways are the best. A galvanized steel trash can with a tight-fitting, lockable lid is one of the most effective and time-tested solutions for protecting feed from rodents. Mice and rats simply cannot chew through steel.

The key is to get a can with a lid that can be secured. Many models have a simple hole in the handle that aligns with a tab on the lid, perfect for a padlock or a carabiner clip. This simple mechanism completely defeats raccoons, which rely on lifting and prying.

This isn’t a portable option, and it’s not as versatile as a rectangular chest, but for one job—rodent-proof bulk feed storage—it is nearly perfect. It’s a durable, no-frills solution that will likely outlast every other piece of plastic on your homestead. For the price, its effectiveness against the number one feed-destroying pest is unmatched.

Choosing Your Locker: Metal vs. Plastic Security

Your final choice boils down to a fundamental tradeoff: the absolute security of metal versus the versatility and weather resistance of modern plastics. There is no single "best" answer, only what’s best for your specific situation.

Metal lockers, like a Husky job box or a Behrens steel can, offer the ultimate protection.

• Pro: Virtually chew-proof and impenetrable for all common predators.
• Con: Heavy, susceptible to rust if the coating is damaged, and often more expensive.
• Best Use: Stationary storage for high-value feed in areas with severe rodent or predator pressure.

Plastic lockers, including options from DeWalt, Stanley, and Rubbermaid, prioritize portability and convenience.

• Pro: Lightweight, completely rust-proof, often modular, and more affordable.
• Con: Can potentially be breached by extremely determined rodents or large predators.
• Best Use: Mobile feed storage, organizing smaller quantities of supplies, and general deterrence in areas with moderate pest pressure.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your primary threat. If your main enemy is a persistent family of rats, steel is the only long-term answer. If you’re more concerned with keeping feed dry and discouraging opportunistic raccoons while maintaining portability, a quality plastic system will serve you well. A good padlock is a non-negotiable partner for either choice.

Protecting your resources is as important as producing them. By thinking of storage as an active part of your predator management strategy, you shift from a defensive posture to a proactive one. The right locker is more than a container; it’s an investment in efficiency, security, and the long-term resilience of your homestead.