6 Best Pole Mounted Feeders for Pastures
Elevate your feeding strategy. We review the 6 best pole-mounted feeders that minimize waste by keeping grain clean, dry, and secure in open pastures.
You watch a good portion of your expensive mineral supplement get trampled into the mud after a heavy rain, and you can practically see the dollar bills dissolving with it. Or maybe you see one dominant goat hogging the feeder, keeping the more timid ones from getting what they need. This isn’t just frustrating; it’s a direct hit to your bottom line and your animals’ health.
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Why Pole Mounting Feeders Reduces Pasture Waste
Putting feed on the ground is an open invitation for waste. Livestock are not careful eaters; they will step in, defecate on, and spill anything left in a ground-level trough or pan. This contamination not only ruins the feed but also creates a potential health hazard for your animals.
Elevating your feeder on a pole or T-post immediately solves this problem. It lifts the feed out of the mud and manure, keeping it clean and palatable. This simple change drastically reduces the amount of feed that gets trampled or spoiled.
Furthermore, a pole-mounted feeder limits access in a beneficial way. Instead of a wide-open trough where a boss cow can block everyone else, a smaller access point encourages animals to eat what they need and move on. This ensures more equitable distribution of supplements throughout the herd, which is critical for overall health and productivity.
Redneck T-Post Feeder: Simple and Effective
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one, especially when you’re just starting out or managing a very small group of animals. The Redneck T-Post Feeder is the epitome of this principle. It’s a small, durable plastic feeder that slides right over a standard T-post, no complex installation required.
This feeder is perfect for providing a specific mineral mix to a handful of goats or sheep, or for supplementing a calf that needs a little extra. Its small size means you aren’t committing a large amount of feed to sit out in the elements. You can put out just enough for a few days, ensuring it stays fresh.
The tradeoff, of course, is capacity. You will be refilling it frequently, which might not be practical for a larger herd or if you can’t check on it daily. It’s also not designed to withstand the abuse of a full-grown bull. But for targeted, small-scale feeding, it’s an incredibly cost-effective tool that gets the job done with minimal fuss.
Boss Buck 200 lb Feeder for Higher Capacity
Attract wildlife with the Boss Buck 200lb gravity feeder. Its adjustable flow control handles various feed types, while the durable, weatherproof design ensures long-lasting outdoor use.
When refilling a tiny feeder every other day becomes a chore, you need to think bigger. The Boss Buck 200 lb gravity feeder is a serious step up in capacity and convenience. Originally designed for wildlife, its durability and design make it an excellent choice for livestock pastures.
This feeder requires a sturdy 4×4 post for mounting, but the effort is well worth it. Holding up to 200 pounds of pelletized feed means you can fill it and forget it for weeks at a time, depending on your herd size. The gravity-fed ports at the bottom release feed as animals consume it, minimizing spillage and protecting the bulk of the feed from weather.
Keep in mind, this style of feeder works best with pellets or corn. Fine, loose minerals can sometimes clump with humidity inside the large hopper, impeding flow. The initial investment is higher than a simple T-post model, but the time and labor saved make it a smart choice for anyone managing more than a few animals.
Moultrie 30-Gallon Feeder for All-Season Use
Versatility is a key asset on a small farm, and the Moultrie 30-Gallon Feeder delivers just that. This unit offers a substantial 200-pound capacity in a rugged, weather-resistant plastic drum. Its design protects feed from both rain and sun, preserving its quality for longer.
What sets the Moultrie apart is its adaptability. Many models come with a programmable spinner, which is great for broadcasting feed for pastured poultry or hogs. For goats or cattle, you can simply use it as a gravity-fed system by attaching the appropriate downspout, giving you controlled access without the broadcast spray.
This isn’t a heavy-duty steel feeder, so a particularly determined bull or a bear could potentially cause damage. However, for most hobby farm scenarios involving cattle, sheep, or goats, its durable polymer construction is more than adequate. It strikes a great balance between capacity, weather protection, and flexible use.
Sioux Steel Mineral Feeder: The Heavy-Duty Pick
If you’re raising cattle and are tired of seeing expensive mineral supplements turn into a solid, rain-soaked brick, the Sioux Steel Mineral Feeder is your answer. This is not a lightweight, multi-purpose feeder; it is a purpose-built, heavy-duty tool designed to do one job perfectly: protect your mineral investment.
Constructed from heavy-gauge steel, this feeder is built to withstand anything your herd or the weather can throw at it. It features a large rubber flap or a rotating poly hood that covers the mineral pan. Animals quickly learn to nudge the cover aside to access the mineral, and it swings shut behind them, keeping rain, snow, and flies out.
This is a premium option, and its price reflects its build quality. It’s overkill for a pair of pygmy goats. But when you calculate the cost of mineral wasted to weather over a year for a small herd of cows, the Sioux Steel feeder often pays for itself by ensuring every last ounce you put out is consumed.
Behlen Country Feeder for Targeted Mineral Supply
The Behlen Country mineral feeder is a fantastic middle-ground option that offers excellent weather protection without the industrial scale of the largest steel models. It’s designed specifically for free-choice salt or mineral mixes and mounts easily to a wooden post, wall, or sturdy fence line.
Its key feature is a thick rubber flap that covers the feed opening. This simple design is highly effective at keeping rain out while being easy for livestock—from calves to horses—to operate. The poly tub is durable, rust-proof, and holds a reasonable amount of mineral, making it a good fit for a small to mid-sized herd of various species.
Think of this as the serious upgrade from a basic open pan or T-post feeder. It provides the weather resistance crucial for expensive supplements but remains affordable and easy to install. It’s a practical, no-nonsense choice for the farmer who needs reliability without the bulk.
Tarter Shielded Feeder Protects from Weather
When your primary enemy is moisture, the Tarter Shielded Feeder is a formidable ally. This feeder is all about protection. It features a deep, wrap-around poly hood that provides a complete shield against driving rain and snow, ensuring the contents stay perfectly dry.
Mounting securely to a post or wall, this feeder is ideal for free-choice minerals or salt blocks. The design encourages animals to put their head inside the shield, which not only protects the feed but also reduces the amount of slobber and water that gets dropped into the mix. This prevents the caking and clumping that plagues open-air feeders.
While it’s not designed to hold hundreds of pounds of feed like a gravity hopper, its mission is different. The Tarter feeder is a dedicated guardian for high-value supplements. It’s a smart investment focused purely on eliminating waste from weather, making it a valuable tool in humid or rainy climates.
Proper Placement for Maximum Feeder Efficiency
Buying the right feeder is only half the battle; where you put it is just as important. Sticking a feeder in the wrong spot can lead to mud pits, herd congestion, and even under-utilization. The goal is to make access easy but not disruptive.
Place your feeder in a well-drained, high-traffic area away from your main water source and gates. Putting it near water is a common mistake. Animals will take a big drink and then immediately turn to the mineral, dripping water and creating a soupy, wasted mess. Placing it away from the gate prevents a "traffic jam" as animals crowd around it.
A spot under a shade tree or on a slight rise in the pasture is often ideal. The shade encourages lingering in summer, and the elevated ground ensures water runs away from the feeder, not toward it. Taking a few extra minutes to choose the right location will dramatically increase the effectiveness of your feeder and keep your pasture in better condition.
Ultimately, selecting the right pole-mounted feeder comes down to matching the equipment to your specific needs—your herd size, the type of feed you’re providing, and your local climate. By elevating your feed and choosing a design that protects it from the elements, you’re making a small investment that pays dividends. You’ll cut down on waste, save significant money over time, and ensure your animals are getting the nutrition they need to thrive.
