7 Best Galvanized Steel Bins For Animal Feed That Old Farmers Swear By
Protect your feed with time-tested solutions. We review 7 top galvanized steel bins that farmers trust for durable, pest-proof, and weatherproof storage.
You walk into the barn and find the plastic feed barrel on its side, a gaping hole chewed through the bottom. The ground is littered with expensive grain, and you see the tell-tale signs of mice everywhere. This isn’t just a mess; it’s wasted money and a health risk for your animals. Proper feed storage is one of those unglamorous chores that separates a struggling hobby farm from a smooth-running one.
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Why Galvanized Steel Is Best for Feed Storage
There’s a reason you see the same dented, gray metal cans on every old farm. Galvanized steel is the standard for feed storage because it solves the biggest problems: pests and moisture. Rats and mice can chew through a plastic bin in a single night, but they can’t make a dent in steel.
This isn’t just about durability; it’s about long-term value. A good steel bin is a "buy it once" purchase that will likely outlast you. The zinc coating (the "galvanizing") prevents rust, allowing it to withstand the damp, demanding environment of a barn for decades. You might pay more upfront, but you won’t be replacing it every few years like a cracked plastic tote.
Most importantly, steel protects the feed itself. Unlike some plastics, it won’t leach chemicals into the grain. A well-sealed steel can keeps feed dry, preventing the growth of mold and aflatoxins that can be fatal to livestock, especially poultry. It’s a simple, effective insurance policy for your animals’ health.
Behrens 20-Gallon Can: Ideal for Small Flocks
This is the classic, silver can you picture when you think of a farm. The Behrens 20-gallon can is the perfect starting point for anyone with a small backyard flock of chickens, a few ducks, or a pair of rabbits. It’s simple, effective, and built to last.
Its best feature is its practicality for a small scale. It comfortably holds a standard 50-pound bag of feed with enough room left over to easily scoop from the top. The wire-handled locking lid is surprisingly effective at keeping out curious raccoons and preventing spills if it gets knocked over.
Don’t mistake its simplicity for a lack of utility. Because it’s relatively lightweight and compact, you can easily move it around the barn or clean it out between bags. It’s not the solution for a large operation, but for the hobbyist managing a handful of animals, it’s often all you need.
Little Giant 30-Gallon Bin with Offset Lid
The Little Giant bin is a thoughtful upgrade from the basic can. At first glance, it looks similar, but its key innovation is the offset, hinged lid. This small design choice makes a huge difference in daily use.
You can place this bin flush against a wall in a tight feed room and still open the lid all the way without it hitting the wall. No more scraped knuckles or having to pull the can out every time you feed. It’s a quality-of-life improvement that you’ll appreciate twice a day.
The 30-gallon capacity hits a sweet spot, holding about 150 pounds of pelleted feed. This is ideal for farmers who are scaling up, maybe managing a larger flock of laying hens and some meat birds simultaneously. It allows you to store multiple bags at once, saving trips to the feed store and allowing you to take advantage of bulk discounts.
Tuff Stuff 40-Gallon Tank for Multi-Purpose Use
Sometimes the best tool for the job isn’t the one designed for it. The Tuff Stuff 40-gallon galvanized stock tank is technically for watering livestock, but its incredible durability makes it a fantastic, no-frills bulk storage option. These things are virtually indestructible.
Built to withstand the weight of water and the abuse of large animals, this tank won’t dent if you knock it with a wheelbarrow or if a goat decides to use it as a launching pad. Its low, wide profile makes it extremely stable. It’s the definition of rugged simplicity.
The obvious tradeoff is the lack of a lid. You’ll have to make your own from a sheet of plywood or find another cover. For this reason, it’s best used inside a secure structure where pests aren’t your primary concern. It excels at holding bulk ingredients like whole grains or for mixing custom rations where you need a wide, open-top container.
Sioux Steel 6-Bushel Bin for Easy Scooping
When you’re ready to move beyond basic cans, the Sioux Steel feed bin is a serious step up in efficiency. This isn’t just a container; it’s a piece of equipment designed to make your chores easier. Its defining feature is the slanted front and hinged, top-loading lid.
This design is all about ergonomics. You don’t have to bend over and reach down to the bottom of a deep can. The feed naturally settles toward the front, making it easy to get a full scoop every time without contorting your back.
With a capacity of 6 bushels (around 330 pounds, depending on the feed), this bin is for the hobby farmer who is buying feed in larger quantities. It’s a permanent fixture in your feed room that streamlines your daily routine and represents a real investment in the efficiency of your homestead.
Hastings Equity 1-Ton Bin for Large Herds
This is where hobby farming meets small-scale production. The Hastings 1-ton gravity-feed bin is not for the backyard chicken keeper; it’s for someone managing a small herd of cattle, a flock of sheep, or raising pigs in significant numbers. It completely changes how you manage feed.
The principle is simple: you buy feed by the ton, load it into the top, and dispense it as needed from a slide-gate at the bottom. This eliminates hauling dozens of 50-pound bags, reduces labor, and protects a massive amount of feed from the elements. The cone-shaped bottom ensures all the feed flows out, preventing old, stale grain from getting stuck.
Make no mistake, this is a piece of infrastructure. It requires a level, often concrete, pad and a way to get bulk feed into the top. It only makes financial sense if you have enough animals to consume a ton of feed before it goes stale and a relationship with a mill that can deliver in bulk. For the right scale, however, it’s a game-changer.
Behlen Country 65-Gallon Galvanized Stock Tank
Similar to the Tuff Stuff tank, the Behlen stock tank is another excellent multi-purpose tool. This classic, round-end trough is a common sight on farms for a reason: it’s incredibly tough and versatile. Its 65-gallon capacity is perfect for storing several hundred pounds of feed.
Its heavy-duty construction and rolled rim make it safe and stable around livestock. The lower profile compared to a tall can means it’s very difficult for an animal to knock over. This makes it a great choice for keeping inside a goat pen or a barn where animals have access to the area.
Like other stock tanks, it requires a DIY lid. A simple, heavy piece of wood is often sufficient to keep animals out. It’s an ideal solution for someone who needs more capacity than a standard can but doesn’t need the complexity of a specialty feed bin.
Vestil D-30-HD Drum for Ultimate Pest Security
If you live in an area with high pest pressure from raccoons, bears, or relentless rodents, this is your answer. The Vestil D-30-HD is an industrial-grade, heavy-duty steel drum, and it is absolutely impenetrable. It’s not sold as a feed bin, but it’s the most secure option on this list.
Its secret is the lever-lock ring that clamps the lid down, creating an airtight and watertight seal. No animal can pry, chew, or claw its way into this drum. This is the bin you buy when you are done losing feed to wildlife.
The trade-off is that it’s heavy, purely functional in appearance, and the locking mechanism takes an extra moment to open and close. But that’s the point. If you’ve ever lost hundreds of dollars of premium, non-GMO feed overnight, you’ll see the beauty in its uncompromising security. It’s total peace of mind in a steel package.
Choosing the right feed bin isn’t just about storage; it’s about protecting your investment and your animals’ well-being. Whether you need a simple 20-gallon can or a one-ton silo, investing in galvanized steel is a decision that pays for itself in saved feed, healthy livestock, and fewer headaches. Pick the one that fits your scale, and you’ll have a reliable partner in your chores for years to come.
