6 Best Metal Grain Bins For Chickens That Prevent Feed Spoilage

You walk out to the coop one morning, scoop in hand, and find the feed bag torn open with pellets scattered across the damp floor. Mice, or worse, have found your flock’s food supply, contaminating it and wasting your money. Protecting your chicken feed isn’t just about tidiness; it’s a critical step in safeguarding your flock’s health and your wallet from the constant threat of pests and moisture.

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Why Galvanized Steel Bins Protect Your Feed

Galvanized steel is the first line of defense for your feed. Unlike plastic bags or thin plastic tubs, steel creates an impenetrable barrier against rodents. A determined rat can chew through a surprising number of materials, but a steel wall isn’t one of them.

The real enemy, however, is often moisture. Damp feed quickly grows mold, which can be toxic to your chickens and represents a total financial loss. Galvanized steel, with its zinc coating, resists rust and, when paired with a tight-fitting lid, creates a seal that keeps humid air and rain out. This ensures the feed you bought stays as fresh as the day you got it.

Think of a good metal bin as a one-time investment. While it costs more upfront than a plastic tote, it will likely outlast a dozen of them. It won’t crack in the winter cold or become brittle from sun exposure, providing reliable protection season after season.

Behrens Locking Lid Can: Secure & Rodent-Proof

When you need a simple, effective, and time-tested solution, the Behrens locking lid can is the standard. Its design is brilliantly straightforward: a tight-fitting lid secured by a sliding handle that locks it in place. This simple mechanism is surprisingly difficult for raccoons and other clever pests to defeat.

These cans come in various sizes, typically from 6 to 31 gallons. A 30-gallon can comfortably holds three 50-pound bags of feed, making it a great choice for a typical backyard flock of 10-20 birds. The built-in side handles also make it relatively easy to move around your feed shed or garage, even when partially full.

There are no bells and whistles here. It’s just a durable, weather-resistant steel can that does its job exceptionally well. For most hobby farmers, the Behrens can provides the perfect balance of security, capacity, and durability without over-complication. It’s the definition of functional, no-nonsense farm equipment.

Little Giant Chow Can for Easy Feed Access

The Little Giant Chow Can offers a smart design twist on the classic metal feed bin. Its most notable feature is an offset, angled lid opening. This subtle change makes a big difference in daily use, as it allows you to scoop out feed without having to reach deep down into the can, especially as the feed level gets lower.

Made from tough, galvanized steel, it provides the same fundamental protection against rodents and moisture as other top-tier metal cans. The lid is typically a snug, friction-fit design held in place by the top handle. While this is excellent for keeping out dust, bugs, and dampness, it’s generally less secure against a persistent raccoon than a true locking lid.

This makes the Little Giant an excellent choice for storage inside a secure structure like a locked shed, garage, or coop. If your primary concerns are mice and feed freshness, and you value ergonomic access, this can is a fantastic and durable option. It prioritizes convenience without significantly compromising on core protection.

Ware Manufacturing Can: Classic Farmhouse Style

For those whose coop and feed storage are visible parts of their backyard landscape, aesthetics can matter. The Ware Manufacturing feed can delivers reliable steel protection with a classic, almost nostalgic farmhouse look. It proves that functional equipment doesn’t have to be purely industrial.

Like its counterparts, this can is made of galvanized steel, so you’re not sacrificing function for form. It will effectively block rodents and seal out moisture, protecting your feed investment. The design often features a simple, oversized lid that fits snugly over the top, which is more than enough to deter mice and keep the contents dry.

The main tradeoff is security against clever predators. The simple friction-fit lid isn’t designed to stop a raccoon. Therefore, this bin is best suited for use inside a secure building. It’s the perfect solution for someone who wants to maintain a certain aesthetic while ensuring their feed stays clean, dry, and safe from common pests.

Tuff Stuff Feed Bin: Durable, All-Weather Use

While our focus is on metal, it’s practical to acknowledge the role of high-end, heavy-duty plastic bins like those from Tuff Stuff. Many farmers use them, and it’s important to understand the specific tradeoffs. These bins are incredibly tough, impact-resistant, and completely rust-proof, making them excellent for all-weather outdoor placement.

Their lighter weight also makes them far more portable than steel, which is a real advantage if you need to move your storage location frequently. However, there is one crucial, non-negotiable compromise: a determined rat can chew through plastic. It may take them a while, but it is possible.

Choosing a bin like this is a calculated decision based on your specific pest pressure. If your main problems are moisture, bugs, and keeping things tidy, a heavy-duty plastic bin can be a great, cost-effective choice. If you have a known, persistent rodent problem, steel remains the only guaranteed solution.

High Country Plastics Bin for Bulk Storage

High Country is another name in the heavy-duty plastic category, often focusing on larger, bulk-storage designs. These bins are frequently designed with features you won’t find in a simple metal can, such as angled, hinged lids for easy scooping or even internal dividers for storing multiple types of feed.

The primary benefit here is capacity and convenience at a lower weight. A large plastic bin can hold hundreds of pounds of feed while remaining manageable to move when empty. They are completely impervious to rust, a real advantage in very damp climates where even galvanized steel can eventually corrode.

Again, the tradeoff is absolute pest-proofing. While a well-made plastic bin will stop casual mice and insects, it is not a fortress against a dedicated rodent assault. This type of bin works best inside a well-sealed building or for farmers in areas with low rodent pressure who prioritize capacity and ease of use for bulk feed handling.

Vestil Steel Drum: Heavy-Duty Feed Protection

When you need absolute, uncompromising security for your feed, you turn to an industrial steel drum. The Vestil drum is the nuclear option for feed storage. Made from thick-gauge steel, it’s designed for industrial materials, making it more than a match for any farm pest.

Its key feature is the lid and locking ring. A lever-lock or bolt-ring clamps the lid down with immense pressure, creating a truly airtight and watertight seal. Nothing is getting into this drum without a wrench. This is the solution for anyone who has lost a major feed investment to pests and vows "never again."

These drums typically come in 30 or 55-gallon sizes, allowing for serious bulk storage that can save you money on feed costs. The downside is their sheer bulk and weight; a full 55-gallon drum is not a one-person job to move. This is pure, heavy-duty function, ideal for a large flock or a high-risk pest environment.

Key Features: Capacity, Lids, and Portability

When choosing your bin, these three factors are the most important. Get them right, and you’ll have a solution that serves you well for years.

Capacity should match your flock size and buying habits.

• Small Flock (2-6 birds): A 10-20 gallon can is perfect. It holds a 50lb bag of feed with room to spare.
• Medium Flock (8-20 birds): A 30-35 gallon can is ideal. It can hold 150-200 lbs of feed, allowing you to buy multiple bags at once.
• Large Flock (20+ birds): A 55-gallon drum is your best bet for buying in bulk and minimizing trips to the feed store.

Lids are your primary security feature, and they aren’t all created equal. A simple friction-fit lid is great for keeping feed dry and stopping mice. A locking lid, like on the Behrens can, is necessary if you have raccoons. A clamp-ring lid on a steel drum offers the ultimate protection and is the best choice for long-term storage or severe pest pressure.

Portability is a practical consideration that’s easy to overlook. A can with sturdy side handles is much easier to manage than one without. Remember that feed is heavy—a full 30-gallon can weighs over 150 pounds. If you need to move your bin regularly, consider its empty weight and handle design, or have a dolly on hand for the larger drums.

Ultimately, the best feed bin is the one that solves your specific problems. It’s not just a container; it’s an insurance policy against waste, contamination, and the frustration of feeding pests instead of your flock. By matching the bin’s capacity, lid security, and material to your farm’s needs, you protect both your animals and your budget.