5 Best Salt Lick Feeders for Goats

You’ve seen it happen. You put out a fresh, expensive mineral block, and within a week it’s a melted, muddy mess on the ground, or one bossy doe has claimed it as her personal throne. Goats need their salt and minerals, but traditional ground-based blocks are an open invitation for waste, contamination, and herd drama. Investing in a proper rotating feeder isn’t just about convenience; it’s a smart move for your goats’ health and your wallet.

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Why Rotating Licks Reduce Waste and Bullying

A salt block sitting on the ground is a lost cause. Rain dissolves it into the dirt, and goats walking, sleeping, and defecating nearby contaminate it quickly. This waste adds up, forcing you to replace blocks far more often than necessary.

A rotating lick holder lifts the block off the ground, immediately solving the contamination issue. The spinning action does two crucial things. First, it allows the block to shed rainwater instead of sitting in a puddle, dramatically extending its life.

Second, and just as important, it helps manage herd dynamics. A dominant goat can’t easily hoard a spinning block; she can’t lean on it or guard it from all sides. This constant movement gives more timid members of the herd a chance to get the minerals they need, promoting better health across the board.

Behlen Country Mineral Feeder for Durability

When you need something that can take a beating, you look to steel. The Behlen Country feeder is built from heavy-duty galvanized steel, making it the top choice for herds with powerful bucks or destructive personalities. It’s designed to withstand relentless headbutting, chewing, and the general abuse that comes with keeping livestock.

This feeder’s main advantage is its sheer toughness. Unlike plastic, it won’t crack in a deep freeze or get brittle after years in the sun. The trade-off is weight and the eventual risk of rust if the galvanization gets deeply scratched.

Mounting is straightforward, typically on a sturdy wooden post or wall. Its simple, open design makes it easy to drop a new block in, and the smooth spinning action is reliable. Think of this as the buy-it-for-life option for a permanent pasture setup where durability is the number one priority.

Little Giant Salt Lick Holder for Versatility

Not every setup needs a fortress. The Little Giant Salt Lick Holder is a workhorse made of tough polyethylene plastic, offering a lightweight and affordable solution. Its simplicity is its strength, making it perfect for moving between pastures, setting up in temporary kidding pens, or for smaller herds that don’t require a heavy-duty metal feeder.

Because it’s plastic, you never have to worry about rust. It’s also incredibly easy to clean—a quick scrub is all it takes. The primary consideration is its vulnerability to extreme cold, which can make plastic brittle, and its susceptibility to determined chewers. A bored goat can do a number on a plastic feeder over time.

This holder is ideal for the hobby farmer who values flexibility. You can easily mount one in a stall for a sick goat or attach several along a fence line for a new herd. It holds standard 8-pound salt or mineral blocks securely while allowing them to spin freely.

Tarter Equine Spin Feeder for Easy Mounting

Mounting a feeder shouldn’t require a construction project. The Tarter Equine Spin Feeder shines because of its versatile mounting options, often designed to attach directly to stall walls, wooden fences, or even metal tube gates. This adaptability makes it a fantastic problem-solver for varied farm layouts.

Made from durable, molded plastic, this feeder is built to handle the elements without rusting or degrading quickly in the sun. The enclosed-back design helps protect the mounting surface and keeps the block from rubbing against the wall or fence, which is a small but thoughtful detail.

The key benefit here is ease of installation. If your fencing consists of round metal gates or you need to place a lick in an unconventional spot, this feeder’s design saves you time and frustration. It provides the core benefits of a rotating lick in a package that’s exceptionally user-friendly.

Stall Grazer 3-in-1 Feeder for All-Weather Use

For anyone farming in a wet climate, a covered feeder is a game-changer. The Stall Grazer 3-in-1 often includes a hood or cover over the salt lick portion, which is its most valuable feature. This simple addition protects expensive mineral blocks from being dissolved by rain, easily doubling or tripling their lifespan.

This feeder is often marketed as a multi-purpose unit, with space for grain and a salt lick. While convenient for saving space, be mindful of your goats’ habits. Some will inevitably spill grain into the salt lick area, creating a sticky mess. However, for all-weather protection of your minerals, the covered design is unmatched.

The plastic construction is robust enough for most goat herds and completely weatherproof. If you’re tired of watching your mineral investment literally wash away, a feeder with an integrated cover is the most direct solution. It pays for itself in saved blocks.

Equine-imity Spin-N-Lick for Boredom Busting

Goats are intelligent, curious, and easily bored, which often leads to destructive behavior like chewing on fences or buildings. The Equine-imity Spin-N-Lick turns a simple mineral source into an enrichment toy. Its design encourages more interaction, as goats have to nudge and play with it to get to the salt.

This feeder is less about heavy-duty containment and more about engagement. The free-spinning action provides mental stimulation, which can be particularly valuable for goats kept in smaller enclosures or dry lots. A busy goat is a happy goat, and often a less destructive one.

While it may not be as rugged as a steel feeder, its value comes from this dual purpose. It delivers necessary minerals while also serving as a simple, effective boredom buster. For goat keepers focused on holistic animal well-being, adding an element of play to a daily necessity is a major win.

Comparing Feeder Materials: Plastic vs. Metal

Choosing between plastic and metal comes down to your priorities: budget, climate, and the temperament of your herd. There is no single "best" material; there’s only the best material for your situation.

Plastic Feeders:

• Pros: Lightweight, rust-proof, generally less expensive, and easy to clean.
• Cons: Can become brittle and crack in extreme cold or after long-term sun exposure. Vulnerable to damage from aggressive chewers.

Metal Feeders:

• Pros: Extremely durable and chew-proof. Withstands physical abuse from large animals and harsh weather.
• Cons: Heavier, more expensive, and can rust if the protective coating (like galvanization) is compromised.

A small herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats in a mild climate will do just fine with a plastic feeder. A large buck or a herd of Boer goats in a region with harsh winters, however, will likely destroy a plastic feeder, making a metal one a better long-term investment.

Proper Placement to Maximize Feeder Benefits

Where you put your feeder is just as important as which one you buy. Poor placement can negate many of its benefits, leading to contamination or renewed bullying. The goal is to make the minerals accessible, clean, and safe for the entire herd.

Mount the feeder at a comfortable height for the average goat in your herd—typically chest-height. This is high enough to prevent them from stepping in it or soiling it with feces, but low enough that everyone, including younger animals, can reach it without straining. If you have kids, consider a second, lower feeder or a temporary solution like a cinder block step.

Place the feeder in a low-traffic but open area. Avoid putting it right next to the water trough, as salt drips can contaminate the water source. Don’t place it in a narrow alley or tight corner where a bossy goat can easily trap a more submissive one. A spot with good visibility and multiple escape routes encourages timid goats to use it.

Ultimately, the right rotating salt lick feeder is a tool for better herd management. It transforms a simple mineral block from a source of waste and conflict into a clean, accessible, and long-lasting health supplement. By considering your herd’s specific needs and your farm’s environment, you can choose a feeder that saves you money and supports a healthier, more peaceful herd.