6 Best Galvanized Steel Feed Bins For Goats That Prevent Waste & Pests

You walk into the barn at dawn and find the feed bag torn open, its contents scattered and soiled by mice. It’s a frustratingly common scene that wastes money and risks the health of your goats. The right feed bin isn’t just a container; it’s your first line of defense against pests, moisture, and waste.

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Why Galvanized Steel Bins Protect Goat Feed Best

Galvanized steel is the gold standard for feed storage for a simple reason: it creates a fortress. Unlike plastic, which rodents can and will chew through, steel is impenetrable. This single fact can save you hundreds of dollars in lost feed over the years.

The material is also non-porous. Wood bins can absorb moisture, leading to moldy feed, while plastic can retain odors and break down under UV light. Galvanized steel, with its zinc coating, resists rust and is incredibly easy to clean out, ensuring the feed you put in is the same quality as the feed your goats eat.

A quality steel bin almost always comes with a tight-fitting, often lockable lid. This is the critical second part of the defense. It seals out humidity that causes clumping and mold, and it forms a barrier that mice, raccoons, and even curious goats can’t bypass. It’s a one-time purchase that protects your feed investment season after season.

Behrens 20-Gallon Can: Secure Rodent-Proofing

The Behrens 20-gallon can is a classic for a reason. Its simple, rugged design features what matters most: a lid that locks down securely. The offset handle on the lid makes it easy to carry, but the wire lock on the side is what makes it a fortress against rodents.

This size is perfect for the small-scale hobby farmer. It comfortably holds about two 50-pound bags of standard goat pellets, which is ideal for a herd of two to five goats. This allows you to keep feed fresh without buying in such massive quantities that it goes stale before you can use it.

Think of this can as your primary, secure storage. You fill it from the bags you bring home from the feed store, and from here, you scoop out your daily rations. It keeps the bulk of your supply completely safe from contamination, ensuring every scoop is clean and dry.

Little Giant Hanging Feeder for Less Ground Waste

This option tackles a different kind of waste—the kind caused by the goats themselves. The Little Giant Hanging Feeder is a combination storage and feeding solution made of durable galvanized steel. By mounting it on a wall or fence post, you immediately stop goats from stepping in, defecating on, or knocking over their grain.

Its design forces goats to eat from the trough, significantly cutting down on spilled feed that gets trampled into the bedding. The steel construction also means they can’t chew on it or break it, a common problem with plastic hanging feeders. It’s built to withstand the daily abuse of a goat herd.

The tradeoff is capacity. This isn’t for bulk storage; it’s for dispensing daily rations in the most efficient way possible. It works best as part of a system: you store your main feed supply in a large, secure can like the Behrens, and you use the Little Giant to serve the daily portion with minimal waste.

High Country Plastics Feed Bin: Large Herd Option

While this article focuses on steel, it’s impossible to ignore this popular option for larger herds. If you’re managing 10 or more goats, multiple 20-gallon cans become impractical. The High Country Feed Bin is made from heavy-duty, FDA-approved plastic designed to solve the bulk storage problem.

Its main advantage is massive capacity, often holding 250 pounds of feed or more. The slanted, lockable lid is designed to be water-tight and difficult for pests to open. While a truly determined rat could theoretically chew through plastic, the thickness and design make it highly rodent-resistant, and it’s a significant step up from leaving feed in bags.

Consider this the pragmatic choice for scale. You sacrifice the absolute impenetrability of steel for the convenience of holding five or six bags of feed in one spot. For many hobby farmers with larger herds, this tradeoff makes perfect sense for streamlining chores and buying feed in bulk to save money.

Tarter Round Stock Tank for Bulk Feed Storage

Here’s a creative solution for those buying feed by the half-ton: a galvanized steel stock tank. These tanks are famously over-engineered to withstand abuse from cattle, making them virtually indestructible. Their wide-open design makes scooping and mixing custom feed rations incredibly easy.

The key is that a stock tank alone is not a storage bin. It’s an open container. To make it pest-proof, you must pair it with a heavy, well-fitted lid. Many farmers build a simple, heavy lid from treated plywood or have a local metalworker cut a steel disc to fit. The weight of the lid is what provides the security.

This is the ultimate DIY bulk storage system. It offers unparalleled durability and capacity for a relatively low cost, especially if you already have an unused stock tank. It’s the perfect solution for the farmer who is all-in on their herd and needs an economical way to manage a large volume of feed securely.

Farm Innovators Feeder: Weather-Resistant Design

For goats that spend most of their time in a paddock or pasture, protecting feed from the elements is just as important as protecting it from pests. The Farm Innovators feeder is specifically designed for outdoor use. Its galvanized steel construction and slanted, hinged roof keep rain and snow out of the trough.

This design allows for a more free-choice feeding setup. You can fill the hopper, and the goats can access dry, clean feed throughout the day as they please. The covered trough prevents spoilage from a sudden downpour, a common issue with open ground feeders.

This is less about long-term bulk storage and more about smart, weather-proof dispensing. It’s ideal for providing supplemental feed or minerals in an outdoor setting without having to rush out and cover things when the weather turns. It saves labor and ensures feed isn’t wasted due to moisture.

Miller Manufacturing Can: Classic, Durable Storage

Much like the Behrens can, the Miller Manufacturing (Pet Lodge) galvanized can is a workhorse of the hobby farm. It offers the same core benefits: tough steel construction, a pest-proof design, and a tight-fitting lid that keeps moisture and rodents out. It’s another excellent choice for secure, small-herd feed storage.

Choosing between Miller and Behrens often comes down to minor details and availability. Some users prefer the handle style of one over the other, or find the lid on one fits slightly tighter. Both are made from high-quality galvanized steel and will last for decades if cared for.

Don’t overthink the brand. The important takeaway is the design principle: a solid steel can with a locking lid is the most reliable way to protect your feed. Whether you choose Miller, Behrens, or a similar brand, you’re making a sound investment in your farm’s efficiency and your animals’ health.

Choosing Bin Size & Features for Your Goat Herd

The "best" bin is the one that fits your specific operation. Don’t just buy the biggest one you can find. Instead, think through your needs to make a smart choice that will serve you for years.

Start by asking a few key questions:

• How many goats are you feeding? For a small herd of 1-4 goats, a 20-gallon can holding two bags of feed is perfect. For 5-10 goats, you might want a 30-gallon can or two 20-gallon cans for different feed types. For 10+ goats, a large-capacity bin becomes a necessity.
• Where will you store it? If the bin lives inside a secure barn, a simple locking lid is enough. If it will be in a three-sided shelter or an area accessible to raccoons, you need a more robust locking mechanism and potentially a weather-resistant design.
• How do you buy feed? If you buy one or two bags at a time, a standard can is fine. If you buy in bulk to save money, a larger bin or a stock tank setup is required to protect that investment.

Ultimately, your goal is to keep feed dry, clean, and accessible only to you and your goats. A smaller, full bin is always better than a giant, half-empty one where feed can go stale. Match the container to your herd size and management style, and you’ll eliminate one of the most common sources of waste and frustration on the farm.

Investing in a galvanized steel feed bin is one of the quickest ways to reduce waste and improve biosecurity on your farm. It stops paying for feed that only nourishes pests and ensures your goats get the clean, dry nutrition they need. Choose the right size and style, and it will pay for itself in saved feed within the first year.