6 Best Feeding Troughs For Supplemental Homestead Animal Feed
Keep your livestock healthy with these 6 best feeding troughs for supplemental homestead animal feed. Read our expert reviews and upgrade your barn gear today.
Watching a flock or herd trample expensive grain into the dirt is a quick lesson in how inefficient feeding habits can drain a farm’s budget. Proper equipment does more than keep the feed off the ground; it ensures every animal gets its fair share while minimizing waste and spoilage. Choosing the right trough is one of the most effective ways to manage supplemental feed costs and keep livestock healthy.
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Little Giant Hook Over Trough: Best For Goats
Feed multiple animals at once with this durable, hook-over trough. Its galvanized steel grid provides six feeding slots and easily mounts on standard boards or wire panels.
Goats are notorious for their tendency to play with their food, often tipping over containers or scratching grain out with their hooves. The Little Giant Hook Over Trough is specifically designed to combat this by mounting securely onto fences or panels. Its rounded edges and heavy-duty plastic construction make it both safe for curious noses and difficult for goats to flip.
This feeder is the ideal choice for small paddocks where space is tight and fence lines are the only available mounting points. It prevents the constant frustration of finding feed spilled across the barn floor or soiled by bedding. Once installed, it keeps the ration at the perfect height for browsing animals.
For those managing a small herd of dairy or meat goats, this trough is a non-negotiable investment. It offers the stability required to handle the rough-and-tumble nature of caprine feeding habits. If the goal is to stop wasting grain, this is the most effective starting point.
Tarter Bunk Feeder: Ideal For Small Herds
When managing a small herd of calves, sheep, or goats, a bunk feeder becomes the centerpiece of the feeding program. The Tarter Bunk Feeder offers a stable, raised platform that keeps the feed at a comfortable height for multiple animals to access simultaneously. Because it is elevated off the ground, it significantly reduces the likelihood of parasite transmission found in ground-feeding scenarios.
The design relies on a heavy-duty poly tub supported by a galvanized steel frame. This combination provides the rigidity needed to handle aggressive push-and-shove behavior during feeding time without buckling or shifting. It is wide enough to discourage one dominant animal from blocking the entire trough.
Small-scale farmers who require a feeder that can withstand daily use in an outdoor lot will find this to be the gold standard. While it occupies more physical footprint than a wall-mounted unit, its durability and capacity make it worth the space. For a growing herd, this is a reliable, long-term asset.
Brower Poly Tough Trough: Most Durable Pick
Durability is the primary concern for farmers dealing with harsh winters or highly active, large-framed animals. The Brower Poly Tough Trough lives up to its name by utilizing a high-density, impact-resistant resin that resists cracking in extreme temperatures. Unlike cheaper plastic alternatives, this material maintains its integrity even under the pressure of repeated freezing and thawing cycles.
The trough is specifically engineered for high-traffic environments where hardware often takes a beating. It lacks the sharp corners that typically fail on lower-quality feeders, meaning there are fewer stress points for cracks to propagate. It is heavy enough to stay put but light enough to move between pastures if required.
If the farm environment is rugged, or if the animals are particularly rough on equipment, this trough is the superior choice. While it comes at a higher price point than basic options, the lack of replacement costs over time provides excellent value. For farmers who value “buy once, cry once” reliability, this is the definitive recommendation.
Behlen Galvanized Feeder: Best For Hogs
Hogs require equipment that can stand up to their natural rooting and chewing instincts. The Behlen Galvanized Feeder is constructed from heavy-gauge, rust-resistant metal that is virtually indestructible compared to plastic alternatives. Its sturdy construction ensures that even the most aggressive feeders cannot easily damage or displace the unit.
The galvanized coating is critical here, as it prevents the corrosion that occurs when wet feed or fermented slop sits in a metal container. It also prevents the chemical breakdown often seen when acidic feed components interact with synthetic materials. The rounded edges provide safety for the hogs while they feed, protecting snouts from cuts.
For anyone raising swine for meat production, metal is the industry standard for a reason. This feeder handles the abuse of a grow-out pen with ease and remains easy to sanitize between batches. If hogs are part of the farm plan, skip the plastic and invest in the longevity of galvanized steel.
Rubbermaid Stock Tank: A Versatile Option
While technically a water tank, the small-capacity Rubbermaid stock tank serves as an exceptional bulk feeding trough for larger livestock. Its massive, seamless design means there are no crevices for feed to get stuck in or for bacteria to harbor. The impact-resistant structural foam makes it almost impossible for livestock to damage the sidewalls.
The primary advantage is its sheer volume, which works perfectly for larger groups that eat simultaneously without needing to be right on top of one another. Because it is low-profile, it is accessible to younger or smaller animals while still being robust enough for heavy adults. It can also be easily repurposed for watering if the feeding needs change.
This is the best option for those who practice rotational grazing and need a “do-it-all” piece of equipment. It is not designed for fine-tuned portion control, but for large-scale supplemental feeding in a field, it is unbeatable. It is the most versatile utility tool in the barn, regardless of the species being kept.
Fortiflex Fence Feeder: Best Budget Choice
For the hobby farmer working with limited startup capital, the Fortiflex Fence Feeder provides a functional, reliable solution without the premium price tag. It is lightweight, easy to mount, and surprisingly resistant to UV damage and cold-weather brittleness. It serves as an excellent entry-level feeder for smaller pens or for supplementing individual animals.
This unit is particularly effective for farmers just starting their journey or for those managing small numbers of poultry or young livestock. It is incredibly easy to clean, as the smooth plastic surface does not hold onto dried feed or mud. If the farm requires multiple stations, these can be purchased in quantity without straining the budget.
It may not survive a collision with a large steer, but for most small-scale goat, sheep, or pig operations, it performs perfectly. It is the pragmatic choice for those who need to cover many zones on a tight budget. When cost-efficiency is the priority, this feeder hits the sweet spot.
How to Choose: Plastic vs. Metal Troughs
Choosing between plastic and metal often comes down to the behavior of the animal and the specific environment. Plastic is generally lighter, cheaper, and easier to clean, making it perfect for smaller animals or temporary setups. However, it can eventually degrade under intense UV exposure or crack if subjected to extreme physical stress.
Metal, specifically galvanized steel, offers unmatched strength and longevity. It is the best choice for animals with heavy impact or chewing habits, such as hogs or large cattle. The trade-off is the weight and the risk of rust if the protective coating is compromised by scratches or harsh acidic feed.
- Plastic considerations: Better for mobility, safer for small animals, prone to cracking under extreme force.
- Metal considerations: Best for high-impact animals, highly durable, requires monitoring for rust spots.
Always assess the level of wear and tear the animals exert before making a final selection. A trough that is indestructible in a sheep pen might be destroyed in a hog pen within a week.
Keeping Troughs Clean to Prevent Sickness
Dirty troughs are breeding grounds for mold, bacteria, and parasites, all of which pose a significant threat to livestock health. Feed residue that sits in the corners of a trough can ferment or mold, especially in humid conditions. Even a minor accumulation of old grain can trigger digestive issues in sensitive animals like goats or calves.
Establish a regular cleaning schedule that involves dumping out leftover feed before it turns, and scrubbing the basin with warm water and a stiff brush. For deeper cleaning, especially after a bout of illness, use a mild, livestock-safe disinfectant. Ensure the trough is completely dry before adding fresh feed to prevent any moisture buildup.
Proper sanitation prevents the transmission of diseases and ensures that the animals are consuming fresh, palatable nutrients. If a trough cannot be easily cleaned, it should be replaced. Never underestimate the impact that a clean feeding environment has on the overall health and productivity of the herd.
Proper Feeder Placement for Less Wasted Feed
The secret to reducing feed waste is not just the equipment itself, but where it sits in the pasture or pen. Place troughs in areas with firm, dry ground to prevent the area around the feeder from turning into a mud pit. If the ground is soft, consider placing the trough on a gravel pad or a rubber mat to discourage waste and protect the area.
Strategic placement also involves considering the flow of animals. Position the trough away from corners where dominant animals can trap weaker ones, which often leads to spilled feed as animals jostle for position. Ideally, the feeder should be placed in a high-traffic, easily observable area to allow for regular monitoring.
Adjust the height of the trough based on the animal species to ensure they can feed comfortably without putting their feet in the basin. If they have to reach too far or look down too sharply, they are more likely to drag feed out while eating. Proper positioning is a simple, cost-free change that yields immediate improvements in feed efficiency.
Sizing Your Trough for Your Animal Group
Sizing is a common pitfall; too small, and the dominant animals will claim the entire unit, leading to unequal growth and stress within the group. Too large, and there is a tendency to overfill it, leading to wasted or spoiled feed that sits for days. The goal is to provide enough linear space so that every animal can eat simultaneously without excessive competition.
Use the “shoulder width” rule: calculate the number of animals and ensure there is at least 12 to 18 inches of space per animal for supplemental feeding. For animals that consume grain quickly, a smaller trough is often better because it encourages controlled, portioned feeding. If feeding hay or bulk forage, opt for a longer bunk that allows for relaxed, communal eating.
Always consider the age and growth rate of the herd. Equipment that fits a group of weanlings will be insufficient in a few months. When in doubt, lean toward modular systems that allow for adding more feeding space as the operation grows.
Investing in high-quality, appropriately sized troughs is one of the most effective strategies for a productive homestead. By selecting equipment that matches the temperament of the animals and the constraints of the land, the farm will operate with far less waste and significantly less labor. Keep the troughs clean, place them strategically, and focus on the durability of the materials to ensure that these tools serve the farm for years to come.
