6 Best Self-Feeding Goat Troughs

You’ve seen it happen. You fill the feeder with expensive grain or quality hay, and two minutes later, half of it is on the ground, trampled into the mud and manure. Goats are masters of wasting feed, and for a beginner, that lost money adds up fast. Choosing the right feeder isn’t just about convenience; it’s a critical investment in your herd’s health and your farm’s budget.

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Key Features of a Waste-Reducing Goat Feeder

A good goat feeder is designed to work with a goat’s natural behavior, not against it. The best designs force them to eat with their heads down and make it difficult to pull out large mouthfuls to drop on the ground. Look for V-shaped hay racks, which require goats to pull hay from the bottom, reducing what gets flung around.

Another key feature is a barrier that prevents them from standing, sleeping, or defecating in the trough. This can be a simple top bar, a wire grid, or angled slats. These barriers not only save feed from contamination but also prevent the spread of parasites and disease.

Finally, consider the material and construction. Smooth, non-porous plastic is incredibly easy to clean, while heavy-gauge galvanized steel offers superior durability against chewing and abuse. The goal is a feeder that is tougher than your most destructive goat and easier to clean than your muddiest boots.

Little Giant Fence Feeder: Top for Small Herds

For anyone starting with just a few goats, a fence-mounted feeder is a fantastic entry point. The Little Giant brand is common, but the style is what matters: a sturdy plastic or metal bin that hooks securely over a fence rail or gate. This immediately solves the problem of feeders being knocked over or pushed into a corner.

The biggest advantage is keeping the feed off the ground. This drastically reduces contamination from manure and bedding, which is a major health benefit for your herd. They are perfect for providing grain or mineral supplements to a small group of two or three goats without taking up precious floor space in a small shelter.

However, they have their limits. Their capacity is small, requiring frequent refills for more than a couple of animals. A particularly bossy goat can also monopolize the whole feeder, blocking more timid herd members from getting their share. Think of it as a great starting tool, but one you’ll likely outgrow as your herd expands.

Tarter Poly Bunk Feeder for Easy Cleaning

The simple, open-top poly bunk feeder is a workhorse on many small farms. Its greatest strength lies in its simplicity and ease of maintenance. Made from a single piece of molded polyethylene, it has no corners or crevices where old feed can get moldy, and you can scrub it clean with a hose and brush in minutes.

This type of feeder is ideal for pellets, sweet feed, or chopped forage. Because it’s low to the ground, it allows goats to eat in a natural grazing position. They are also lightweight, making them easy to move for pasture rotation or to bring inside during bad weather.

The obvious tradeoff is the lack of built-in waste prevention. Without a top bar or rack, goats can easily stand in it or flick feed out with their noses. It requires more management to be effective, like only providing enough feed for one meal at a time. It’s a solid, budget-friendly choice if you prioritize quick cleaning over maximum feed savings.

Behlen Country Galvanized Bunk Feeder Durability

When you need something that can take a beating, a galvanized steel bunk feeder is the answer. These feeders are heavy, stable, and resistant to the relentless chewing and rubbing that goats inflict on their equipment. The galvanized coating protects the steel from rust, ensuring it lasts for years even when left out in the elements.

This is the kind of feeder you buy once. Its weight keeps it from being pushed around the pen by even the most determined Boer buck. The classic bunk design provides ample space for several goats to eat side-by-side, reducing competition at mealtime.

The downside is that metal can get extremely hot in direct summer sun or dangerously cold in a harsh winter. It’s also heavier and more cumbersome to move for cleaning. Over time, scratches in the galvanizing can lead to rust spots, but for sheer, brute-force durability, it’s hard to beat.

Brower Trough Feeder: A Classic, Sturdy Design

The Brower-style trough feeder, often made of steel, incorporates a simple but brilliant feature: a top bar running the length of the feeder. This single bar is incredibly effective at preventing goats from climbing into the trough. They can’t get their footing, so the feed stays clean and untrampled.

Many of these models also feature adjustable legs. This is a more significant advantage than it sounds, as you can raise the feeder as your kids grow into adults. Setting the trough at the correct chest height for your herd makes eating more comfortable and further discourages them from trying to step into it.

This design represents a smart, long-term investment. It combines the durability of metal with thoughtful, waste-reducing features. While the initial cost might be higher than a simple poly bunk, the feed saved over its lifetime often pays for the difference.

High Country Plastics Feeder for Hay and Grain

For maximum efficiency, a combination feeder that handles both hay and grain is the gold standard. The High Country Plastics feeder is a great example of this design, featuring a V-shaped hay rack positioned directly above a grain trough. This is a game-changer for reducing waste.

The design is clever. As goats pull hay from the rack, any leaves or small bits that fall—the most nutritious parts, often called "fines"—are caught in the grain trough below instead of being lost on the ground. You can feed hay and grain in the same spot, streamlining your chores and containing the mess.

Made of heavy-duty plastic, these feeders are durable yet easier to move and clean than their all-metal counterparts. They are a fantastic all-in-one solution for hobby farmers who want to minimize feed loss and maximize convenience. This is the feeder you get when you’re tired of sweeping up wasted hay.

Farm-Tuff U-Trough: Simple and Effective Bunk

Sometimes, you just need a basic, reliable trough that gets the job done without fuss. The Farm-Tuff U-Trough fits that bill perfectly. It’s a simple, ground-level bunk feeder, typically made of tough molded plastic, that’s perfect for delivering grain, pellets, or supplements.

Its U-shaped design is a subtle improvement over a flat-bottomed trough. It helps concentrate the feed in the center, making it easier for goats to clean up every last bit. These feeders are lightweight, stackable for storage, and exceptionally affordable.

This isn’t the best choice for loose hay, and like other open bunks, it doesn’t stop goats from wasting feed if you overfill it. But for providing a measured daily grain ration to a small-to-medium-sized herd, its simplicity is its strength. It’s a practical, no-nonsense tool for daily chores.

Matching Feeder Size to Your Goat Herd Needs

Choosing the right size feeder is just as important as choosing the right style. A feeder that is too small will cause fighting and ensure that your most timid goats never get enough to eat. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 12-18 inches of linear trough space per adult goat to allow them to eat peacefully.

Think about your herd’s social structure. There is always a hierarchy, and dominant goats will push others away. If you have one particularly bossy doe, consider using two smaller feeders placed far apart instead of one large one. This gives everyone a better chance to eat.

Finally, plan for the future. If you plan on growing your herd, buy a feeder that’s slightly larger than you need right now. It’s far more cost-effective to buy a 6-foot feeder today than to buy a 4-foot feeder now and another one next year when new kids arrive.

Ultimately, the best feeder is an investment that pays you back every single day in saved feed, reduced labor, and healthier animals. By matching the feeder’s design to your herd’s needs and your management style, you can spend less time worrying about waste and more time enjoying your goats.