6 Best Long Lasting Salt Lick Stations For Hobby Farmers On a Homestead Budget

You’ve put out a fresh salt block, and within a week, it’s a muddy, half-dissolved mess trampled into the ground. This common frustration isn’t just a waste of money; it’s a lost opportunity to provide consistent, essential minerals to your animals. Choosing the right salt lick station protects your investment and ensures your herd gets the nutrition it needs, day in and day out.

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Choosing a Durable Salt Lick Holder for Your Herd

The best salt lick holder isn’t always the most expensive one; it’s the one that matches your animals and your environment. A flimsy plastic holder that works for a pair of gentle sheep will be destroyed in an afternoon by a curious cow or a herd of boisterous goats. Consider the "chew factor" and the sheer force your animals can exert before you buy.

Material is your first major decision. Heavy-duty molded plastics resist rust and have no sharp edges, but can become brittle in extreme cold or crack under impact. Steel is the king of durability but can rust if the coating gets scratched, and it often comes with a higher price tag. The choice between them often comes down to balancing longevity with upfront cost.

Finally, think about placement and form. Will the holder be mounted on a fence post, a stall wall, or sit on the ground? Wall-mounted options keep the salt clean but may not be accessible to everyone in a mixed herd. Ground feeders are simple but require a well-drained area to prevent the block from sitting in a puddle. The right station prevents waste, which directly saves you money over the long term.

Little Giant Salt Block Holder: A Versatile Classic

This is the holder you’ll find in nearly every farm supply store, and for good reason. The Little Giant holder is a simple, molded plastic cradle designed to hold a standard 4-pound salt or mineral brick. It typically features pre-drilled holes, making it easy to screw into a wooden fence post or the inside of a stall.

Its biggest advantage is its low cost and simplicity. For smaller livestock like goats, sheep, or mini horses, it does the job perfectly well, keeping the block off the ground and preventing it from being used as a toy. However, its lightweight plastic construction is its primary weakness. A full-sized horse or cow can easily break it by leaning or rubbing against it, so it’s not the right fit for larger, more powerful animals.

Behlen Country Steel Feeder for Maximum Durability

When you need something that can withstand serious abuse, a steel holder is the answer. Behlen Country and similar brands offer heavy-gauge steel feeders that bolt securely to a post or wall. These are built to handle the rubbing, pushing, and general wear-and-tear from cattle, large horses, and even pigs.

The key benefit is undeniable longevity; you buy it once, and it will likely outlast the fence post it’s attached to. The steel is usually powder-coated or galvanized to resist rust, but keep an eye on any deep scratches that expose the metal underneath, as corrosion can set in. While the upfront cost is higher than plastic, it’s a one-time purchase that eliminates the need for yearly replacements in a high-traffic pasture.

High Country Plastics Holder for Mineral & Salt Blocks

Not all plastic holders are created equal. High Country Plastics and similar brands make heavy-duty polyethylene feeders that often include a crucial feature: a hood or cover. This design is especially valuable for protecting expensive, soft-pressed mineral blocks from the elements. Rain can turn a costly mineral block into a soupy mess overnight.

A covered feeder keeps the block dry, dramatically reducing waste and ensuring the minerals remain palatable. This is critical because free-choice minerals are a significant investment in your herd’s health, affecting everything from fertility to parasite resistance. The covered design also helps keep the block cleaner from bird droppings and dirt.

These holders are a smart middle-ground. They offer better protection than a simple open holder and more durability than the cheapest plastic options, without the weight or potential rust of steel. They are an excellent choice for anyone feeding pressed mineral blocks in an unsheltered area.

Tarter Feeder with an Integrated Salt Lick Tray

For the homesteader focused on efficiency and saving space, a combination feeder is an excellent solution. Tarter and other manufacturers produce bunk feeders or hay feeders that have a small, dedicated compartment for a salt or mineral block. This design encourages animals to consume minerals while they are eating.

This integrated approach is brilliant for a few reasons. It consolidates your feeding station, making chores simpler. It also ensures the salt block is in a high-traffic area your animals visit daily. You no longer have to hope they wander over to a separate station.

The main tradeoff is cost and size. These are larger pieces of equipment, representing a more significant initial investment than a simple block holder. However, if you’re already in the market for a new hay rack or bunk feeder, choosing one with a built-in mineral tray is a smart, long-term upgrade for your setup.

Redmond Rock on a Rope: The Natural Hanging Option

Sometimes the best station isn’t a station at all. Redmond Rock on a Rope provides a natural, free-hanging salt lick that offers unique benefits. This is a mined mineral salt rock with a hole drilled through it, allowing you to hang it from a sturdy tree branch or ceiling beam with the included rope.

The hanging design keeps the salt perfectly clean, free from mud, manure, and ground contaminants. It also provides a form of enrichment, as animals have to interact with the moving rock. Because it can’t be pinned in a corner, it also discourages a single dominant animal from hogging the salt.

The key considerations are having a suitable place to hang it and ensuring the rope is secure. A low-hanging rock can become a toy or even a hazard if an animal gets tangled. But for providing a clean, accessible source of minerals, especially in a stall or small paddock, it’s an elegant and effective solution.

Tuff Stuff Products Rubber Tub for Ground Feeding

Never underestimate the power of a simple, indestructible rubber tub. While not a "holder" in the traditional sense, a shallow rubber pan is one of the most common, budget-friendly ways to offer salt or loose minerals. These tubs are cheap, won’t break if stepped on, and are safe for all types of livestock.

The primary advantage is its versatility and low cost. You can move it anywhere, and if it gets dirty, you can just dump it, rinse it, and refill it. It’s an ideal solution for rotational grazing systems or for homesteaders who need flexibility.

However, the downsides are significant. Ground feeders get contaminated easily with dirt, bedding, and manure, which can deter animals from using them. They can also be flipped over by playful animals, wasting the contents. To make this work, place the tub in a well-drained, clean area and be prepared to clean it out regularly.

Placement and Care for Your New Salt Lick Station

Buying the right holder is only half the battle; where you put it determines how effective it will be. The ideal location is near a water source. Animals often seek out salt after drinking, so placing it along the path to the water trough ensures they see and use it frequently.

Avoid placing your salt lick in a low-lying, muddy area or right next to a hay feeder where loose forage can cover it. You also want to keep it away from areas where manure accumulates. A clean, accessible block is a used block. For herds with a clear pecking order, consider placing two stations in different locations to ensure timid animals get their share.

Finally, make maintenance a part of your routine. Check the station weekly to ensure it’s clean and the block isn’t worn down to a nub. A quick scrub to remove dirt or algae buildup makes the salt more appealing and ensures your investment in your herd’s health is paying off. Proper placement and care turn a simple piece of equipment into a cornerstone of your animal husbandry program.

Ultimately, the best salt lick station is one that fits your budget, stands up to your animals, and keeps your salt and minerals clean and accessible. By protecting this small but vital resource, you are making a smart, long-term investment in the health and productivity of your entire herd. It’s a simple upgrade that pays dividends season after season.