6 Best Multi-Animal Salt Lick Feeders For Homesteaders That Last for Years
Invest in a salt lick feeder that lasts. We review 6 durable, multi-animal models designed to serve your homestead’s diverse livestock for years to come.
You walk out to the pasture and see it again: the cheap plastic mineral feeder, now in three pieces, with a 50-pound salt block dissolving into a muddy puddle. It’s a frustratingly common scene on a homestead, turning a simple chore into a recurring expense and a waste of valuable supplements. Investing in a durable, well-designed salt and mineral feeder isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental step toward a more efficient and resilient operation. A feeder that stands up to weather and livestock abuse saves you money, protects your animals’ health, and frees up your time for more important tasks.
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Why a Durable Salt Feeder is a Homestead Must-Have
A flimsy feeder is a hidden tax on your time and resources. The initial savings on a cheap model evaporate the first time a cow uses it as a scratching post or a winter freeze makes the plastic brittle. You end up buying the same tool over and over, while a well-built feeder is a one-time purchase that serves you for a decade or more.
More importantly, a failed feeder compromises animal health and safety. Sharp, broken plastic edges can cause injury, and a tipped-over feeder can lead to wasted, contaminated minerals. When salt and minerals are exposed to rain and mud, livestock are less likely to consume them, negating their purpose entirely. Proper supplementation is key to preventing deficiencies, and that starts with clean, accessible minerals.
The best feeders do more than just hold salt; they protect it. A good cover prevents rain from dissolving a block into a worthless slurry and keeps dirt, manure, and other contaminants out. This ensures the supplements remain palatable and effective, making your investment in animal nutrition actually count for something. It’s a simple piece of equipment that pays for itself in saved minerals and healthier animals.
High Country Plastics SL-4: Built for Tough Weather
When you need to offer multiple mineral options in a single, bombproof unit, the High Country Plastics SL-4 is a standout. Its low-profile, quad-compartment design is made from heavy-duty, UV-stabilized polyethylene. This means it won’t crack under the brutal summer sun or shatter during a deep freeze, problems that plague lesser plastics.
The four separate compartments are its biggest advantage. This allows you to provide a standard white salt block, a trace mineral block, a selenium block, and even loose minerals simultaneously. Your animals can choose what their bodies need, which is particularly useful for herds with diverse requirements, like pregnant ewes and growing lambs sharing a pasture.
Its design is all about stability. The wide, heavy base makes it incredibly difficult for even a determined bull or a playful goat to tip over. You place it in the pasture, fill it, and walk away with confidence. For homesteaders who need a versatile, low-maintenance feeder that can handle extreme weather, this is a top contender.
Behlen Country Mineral Feeder for Herd Versatility
Feed up to 10 sheep or goats with this durable, weather-resistant feeder. Its fence-mounted design saves space and simplifies feeding time.
The classic Behlen Country feeder, with its signature rubber flap, is a familiar sight in pastures for a reason. Its design is a masterclass in functional simplicity. The heavy rubber lid keeps rain, snow, and sun off the minerals but is easily nudged open by animals of all sizes, from a full-grown horse to a young calf.
Constructed from either thick poly or galvanized steel, these feeders are built to last. They are designed to hold loose minerals, which many homesteaders prefer for their superior absorption and the ability to create custom mixes. The capacity is usually generous, holding 100 pounds or more, which means fewer trips to the pasture for refills.
This feeder’s true strength is its versatility. The ground-level height and easy-open flap make it accessible to a wide range of livestock. Whether you’re running cattle, horses, sheep, or goats, they can all use the same feeder without issue. It’s an ideal choice for the diversified homestead with multiple species sharing common areas.
Tarter Mineral Feeder with Poly Hood Protection
Tarter’s mineral feeder takes a different approach to weather protection. Instead of a flexible flap, it uses a rigid, rotating poly hood that covers a heavy base. This "bonnet" design provides exceptional protection from driving rain and snow, ensuring the minerals inside stay completely dry and loose.
The construction is robust, typically featuring a galvanized steel base that adds weight and stability. The poly hood is tough enough to withstand rubbing and pushing from large animals. Because the hood rotates, animals can access the minerals from any direction, preventing competition and ensuring the entire herd gets a chance to use it.
The main consideration here is animal size. The fixed height of the hood opening is perfect for cattle and horses. However, it may be too tall for smaller livestock like sheep or pygmy goats. This is a specialized tool that excels for larger animals, offering them unparalleled mineral protection in harsh climates.
Little Giant Salt Block Holder: Simple & Indestructible
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. The Little Giant Salt Block Holder is essentially a heavy-duty, molded rubber or poly dish designed to do one thing: hold a standard 40- or 50-pound salt block off the ground. There are no moving parts, no covers, and nothing to break.
Its indestructibility is its main selling point. You can drive a tractor over some models, and they’ll be fine. They prevent the bottom of the salt block from turning into a muddy, wasted mess, saving you a surprising amount of money over time. It’s the definition of a "buy it once" tool.
The obvious tradeoff is the complete lack of weather protection. This makes the Little Giant holder an ideal choice for use inside a barn, a run-in shed, or in an arid climate where constant rain isn’t a concern. For homesteaders needing a straightforward, no-fuss solution for sheltered areas, it’s an unbeatable value.
Brower MFSW Feeder: Stainless Steel for Longevity
For the homesteader who believes in buying equipment for life, the Brower MFSW feeder is the answer. Its primary feature is its material: heavy-gauge stainless steel. Unlike plastic, it will never become brittle. Unlike galvanized steel, it will never rust, even when holding corrosive salt and minerals for decades.
The design is as tough as the material. It typically includes a weighted flap that keeps weather out while remaining accessible to livestock. Every weld and component is built for maximum durability, meant to withstand the daily abuse of a working farm without failing. It’s an investment in pure reliability.
Of course, this level of quality comes at a higher upfront cost. It can be tempting to opt for a cheaper poly feeder, but the Brower is a true lifetime product. When you calculate the cost of replacing lesser feeders every few years, the stainless steel option often proves to be the more economical choice in the long run. It’s for the homesteader who is done with replacing broken gear.
Sioux Steel Ground Mineral Feeder for Pasture Use
The Sioux Steel Ground Mineral Feeder is a workhorse designed specifically for the realities of pasture life. It’s a low-slung, incredibly stable feeder made from thick, durable polyethylene with a heavy-duty rubber flap. Its low center of gravity makes it virtually impossible for livestock to tip and highly resistant to strong winds.
This feeder is built for convenience in rotational grazing systems. It’s light enough for one person to move to a new paddock but heavy enough to stay put once in place. The large capacity for loose minerals means you aren’t constantly hauling bags out to the field, saving valuable time and labor.
The heavy rubber flap is a key feature, providing a reliable seal against the elements while being pliable enough for sheep and calves to learn to use quickly. It strikes a perfect balance between protection and accessibility. For homesteaders managing animals primarily on pasture, the Sioux Steel feeder is a practical, durable, and efficient choice.
Choosing Your Feeder: Material, Capacity, & Design
There is no single "best" feeder; there is only the best feeder for your specific homestead. The right choice depends entirely on your climate, your animals, and your management style. Making a smart decision starts with understanding the tradeoffs between the most important features.
Before you buy, consider these key factors. Each one directly impacts how well the feeder will work for you.
- Material: UV-stabilized polyethylene is a great all-around choice for durability and value. Galvanized steel adds weight and stability. Stainless steel is a lifetime investment that eliminates rust. Heavy rubber is nearly indestructible but offers no weather protection.
- Capacity & Type: Are you using 50-pound blocks or loose minerals? How many animals will use the feeder? A larger capacity reduces your refill chores but makes the feeder harder to move.
- Design & Weather Protection: A simple dish is fine for inside a barn. For pasture use, you need protection. A flap cover is versatile for many species, while a rigid hood offers maximum protection for taller animals like cattle and horses.
- Animal Species: Goats are notoriously destructive and will test every weak point. Cattle require extreme durability. Sheep can be timid about pushing flaps. Match the feeder’s design to the behavior of your livestock.
Ultimately, the goal is to buy a feeder that you won’t have to think about again for years. Analyze your needs honestly. A homesteader in rainy Oregon has different requirements than one in sunny Arizona. Choosing the right feeder from the start is a small decision that eliminates a future point of failure on your farm.
A reliable salt and mineral feeder is a quiet hero on the homestead. It’s a small, one-time investment that works day and night to improve animal health, reduce waste, and simplify your chores. By choosing a feeder built to last, you’re buying peace of mind and one less problem to solve.
