6 Best Large Capacity Storage Bins For Feed Old Farmers Swear By

You haul a 50-pound bag of feed from the truck, slice it open, and dump it into that old plastic trash can in the corner of the barn. A week later, you notice tell-tale chew marks near the bottom and find the feed is damp and smells musty. Every hobby farmer has been there; that moment you realize your feed storage is costing you money, wasting your time, and putting your animals at risk.

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Why Proper Feed Storage Protects Your Investment

Feed is one of the biggest recurring expenses on any farm, large or small. Leaving it in the paper bag it came in is an open invitation to disaster. Moisture is the primary enemy, turning expensive pellets into a moldy, clumpy mess that can make your livestock sick. You’re not just throwing away feed; you’re risking vet bills.

Then come the pests. Mice, rats, raccoons, and even squirrels can chew through a feed sack in a single night, contaminating the contents with droppings and urine. This isn’t just a loss of product; it’s a serious biosecurity risk. Insects like weevils can also infest unprotected grain, reducing its nutritional value to zero.

Proper storage isn’t about having a tidy barn. It’s about protecting the nutritional integrity of the feed you paid for and safeguarding the health of your animals. A good bin pays for itself by eliminating waste, deterring pests, and ensuring your livestock gets the full value from every single bite.

Behrens Galvanized Steel Can: Rodent-Proof Classic

There’s a reason you see these shiny metal cans in old barns. Galvanized steel is the gold standard for rodent-proofing. Mice and rats simply cannot chew through it, period. If your primary battle is with four-legged thieves, this is your most reliable first line of defense.

The design is simple and effective. A tight-fitting lid keeps out casual moisture and curious critters, while the offset bottom keeps the can off a damp concrete floor. They are durable, weather-resistant, and won’t degrade in the sun like plastic can over many years.

The main tradeoff is the seal. While the lid is tight, it’s not truly airtight. This means it won’t stop ambient humidity from eventually affecting the feed, nor will it suffocate insects already present. For fast-turnover feed like chicken layer pellets, this is rarely an issue. For storing special-order feed or supplements long-term, you might want something with a better seal.

Tuff Stuff Stock Tank: Versatile Bulk Storage

Stock tanks aren’t just for water. Their rugged, one-piece construction makes them an excellent, high-capacity option for bulk feed storage, especially inside a secure barn or feed room. A 100-gallon tank can easily hold several hundred pounds of feed, minimizing trips to the feed store.

The key is what you do with it. An open-top stock tank is useless for storage. You’ll need to fashion a heavy, tight-fitting lid from plywood or find a pre-made cover. This is critical for keeping out pests and moisture. The advantage here is customization; you can build a lid that suits your exact needs.

This solution works best when pest pressure inside the storage area is already low. It’s great for keeping a large volume of feed organized and off the floor. But if you have a serious rodent problem in your main barn, a determined raccoon, or high humidity, a stock tank alone won’t solve it without significant modification. It’s a fantastic bulk container, not a sealed vault.

Vittles Vault Outback: Airtight & Pest-Resistant

When freshness is paramount, the Vittles Vault is the answer. Originally designed for high-end pet food, these containers are perfect for the farm. Their signature feature is the gamma seal lid—a threaded, screw-on top with a gasket that creates a truly airtight and waterproof seal.

This airtight seal does two things exceptionally well. First, it locks out all moisture, keeping feed bone-dry and preventing mold, even in a damp environment. Second, it locks in freshness and locks out pests. Insects can’t get in, and any that happen to be in the feed when you seal it will quickly run out of oxygen. The heavy-duty, food-grade plastic is also highly resistant to chewing.

These are not the cheapest option per gallon of storage. However, for expensive feeds like medicated starter crumbles, high-protein game bird food, or pricey minerals, the investment is easily justified. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your most valuable feed is completely protected is worth a lot. Their stackable design is also a huge space-saver in a crowded feed room.

Rubbermaid Brute Rollout: Mobile & Heavy-Duty

Sometimes the feed needs to come to you. The Rubbermaid Brute on wheels is a workhorse for anyone who needs to move feed across the property, from the main barn to distant coops or pastures. Loading it up once saves you from carrying heavy bags back and forth every day.

These containers are built for abuse. The commercial-grade plastic can handle being dragged over rough ground, and the heavy-duty wheels won’t buckle under a full load of 200 pounds of feed. The hinged lid is convenient for quick scooping and generally keeps rain and pests out.

However, it’s important to understand its limitations. The lid, while functional, is not rodent-proof or airtight. A determined rat can chew through the plastic, and the snap-on lid doesn’t offer the same protection as a steel can or a Vittles Vault. Think of the Brute as a fantastic, heavy-duty feed cart, best used for transporting and short-term storage in a relatively secure area.

U.S. Plastic 55-Gallon Drum: The Budget Bulk Bin

For maximum storage on a minimal budget, nothing beats a food-grade 55-gallon drum. You can often find these used from food processing facilities for a fraction of the cost of other containers. They offer an enormous capacity, perfect for anyone buying feed by the ton or trying to stock up when prices are low.

Make sure you get a "food-grade" barrel that previously held something benign like oil or syrup, and clean it thoroughly. The critical component is the lid. You’ll want a drum with its original lid and a lever-lock ring, which creates a very secure, pest-resistant seal. Without that ring, it’s just a big plastic bucket.

The downside is maneuverability. A full 55-gallon drum of dense feed can weigh over 300 pounds and is incredibly difficult to move. This is a stationary solution. Place it exactly where you want it, fill it up, and scoop from it. It’s not pretty, but for sheer, no-frills bulk storage, it’s unbeatable.

High Country Feed Bin: Organized Multi-Feed Storage

If you’re managing multiple types of livestock, your feed room can quickly become a chaotic pile of half-empty bags. The High Country Feed Bin is a purpose-built solution for this exact problem. These bins feature multiple compartments under one lid, allowing you to store chicken feed, goat minerals, and scratch grains all in one organized station.

These units are designed with the farm in mind. They are made of durable, FDA-approved plastic and feature a slanted bottom that helps funnel feed to the front for easy scooping. The hinged lid is heavy and locks securely, offering excellent protection against weather and most pests, though it is not as rodent-proof as steel.

This is a premium product with a price tag to match. It’s an investment in efficiency and organization. For a small farm with diverse animal needs, the ability to eliminate bag clutter and create a clean, dedicated feeding station can be a game-changer for workflow and sanity. It’s less of a single container and more of a complete feed management system.

Choosing Your Bin: Key Factors for Farm Feed

There is no single "best" feed bin; there is only the best bin for your farm. The right choice depends entirely on your specific situation. Don’t just buy the cheapest or the biggest option. Instead, think through these key factors to make a smart investment.

Consider your primary challenges and priorities. A thoughtful choice will save you headaches for years to come.

• Pest Pressure: Is your main enemy moisture, insects, or rodents? For rats and mice, galvanized steel is non-negotiable. For insects and humidity, an airtight seal like a Vittles Vault is superior.
• Capacity vs. Turnover: How much feed do you use, and how fast? If you buy in bulk and store for months, airtightness is critical to prevent spoilage. If you go through a bag a week, a simple steel can is often sufficient.
• Location: Will the bin live in a climate-controlled, pest-free garage or a drafty old barn with a dirt floor? The more exposed the location, the more robust your container needs to be.
• Mobility: Do you need to move your feed to different locations on the farm? If so, wheels are a back-saver. For stationary bulk storage, a 55-gallon drum is a great budget choice.
• Number of Feeds: Are you juggling bags for chickens, goats, and rabbits? A multi-compartment bin might be worth the cost to simplify your daily chores and reclaim your space.

Ultimately, your feed bin is a tool, not just a container. It’s a piece of equipment that protects your financial investment, promotes animal health, and makes your daily chores more efficient. By matching the bin to your farm’s unique challenges, you turn a simple purchase into a smart, long-term solution.