7 Best Lick Feeders For Cattle On Limited Grazing For Smaller Pastures
Maximize nutrition on small pastures. We review the 7 best lick feeders for cattle, comparing durability, capacity, and ease of use for limited grazing.
Managing a small pasture means every square foot of grass counts, and watching your cattle turn a lush paddock into a dirt lot is a common frustration. A good lick feeder isn’t just a convenience; it’s a critical tool for stretching your forage and keeping your herd healthy on limited acreage. The right feeder delivers essential nutrients without the waste, turning a potential grazing problem into a sustainable system.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Lick Feeder Boost Small Pasture Health
A lick feeder is your best ally in preventing overgrazing. When cattle can self-regulate their intake of rich supplements, they feel more satisfied and are less likely to tear up your pasture searching for every last blade of grass. This gives your forage time to recover, which is the cornerstone of rotational grazing on a small scale.
Think of it as a strategic distraction. By placing a feeder in a specific area, you can encourage the herd to use different parts of the pasture, reducing concentrated damage around gates or water troughs. It also ensures that every animal, not just the dominant ones, gets access to vital minerals and protein that your limited forage might lack, especially during dry spells or in late fall.
This isn’t just about feeding your cattle; it’s about managing your land. A well-placed lick tank helps you maintain soil health and grass density by controlling animal impact. This leads to better forage quality in the long run, reducing your reliance on expensive hay and creating a more self-sufficient system.
Tarter Poly Lick Tank for Herd Supplement
The Tarter Poly Lick Tank is a workhorse for the small herd. Its tough, molded polyethylene construction means it won’t rust, rot, or get busted up easily by a curious cow. This is the kind of feeder you set out and don’t have to worry about constantly.
Its design is straightforward: a reservoir holds the liquid feed, and a wheel picks up the supplement as animals lick it. This simple mechanism is reliable and easy for cattle to learn. For a herd of five to ten head, a 32-gallon model provides a steady supply without you having to refill it every other day, striking a good balance between capacity and manageability.
The main advantage here is durability meeting simplicity. There are no complex parts to break or freeze solid. While it might not have the most restrictive intake control, it’s a fantastic all-around option for delivering protein or vitamin supplements consistently.
Behlen Country Wheel Feeder for Liquid Feed
When you need to carefully manage consumption of a rich liquid feed, the Behlen Country Wheel Feeder is a top contender. The single-wheel design is its key feature, forcing cattle to work for their supplement. This prevents gorging, which can lead to digestive upset and wasted, expensive feed.
The wheel rotates through the liquid in the tank, picking up a thin film for the animal to lick off. It’s an effective system for molasses-based supplements or high-protein liquids. You get peace of mind knowing your herd is getting what it needs, but not so much that they ignore the available forage in the pasture.
However, there’s a tradeoff. The metal components and the liquid itself can be prone to freezing in harsh winter climates, requiring management to keep it functional. Some younger or more timid animals may also need a little time to figure out how to use the wheel effectively.
Sioux Steel Ground Mineral Feeder Durability
If you’ve ever found a plastic feeder cracked and tossed across the pasture, the Sioux Steel Ground Mineral Feeder is your solution. This thing is built to last. Its heavy-duty steel construction and low-profile design make it nearly impossible for cattle to tip over or destroy.
This feeder is designed for loose mineral, not liquid. It features a thick rubber flap that covers the mineral pan, protecting it from rain and wind. Cattle simply nudge the flap with their noses to access the supplement. This simple, effective weather protection saves a tremendous amount of money by preventing caked, ruined minerals.
This is a buy-it-once piece of equipment. While the initial cost might be higher than a poly feeder, its longevity and mineral-saving design pay for themselves. It’s the perfect choice for the farmer who values durability and wants to eliminate the recurring cost and hassle of replacing flimsy equipment.
High Country 35-Gallon Feeder Portability
For those practicing intensive rotational grazing on a small scale, portability is everything. The High Country 35-Gallon Feeder shines here. It’s light enough for one person to move easily, even when partially full, making it ideal for daily or weekly paddock shifts.
Imagine moving your herd to a fresh strip of grass. You can just pick up the High Country feeder and carry it to the new spot. This encourages the cattle to move with you and utilize the entire grazing area, rather than congregating in one spot waiting for their supplement.
The smaller 35-gallon capacity is both a pro and a con. It contributes to its light weight but also means more frequent refills if you have more than a handful of animals. For a micro-dairy or a small herd of beef cattle, it’s perfectly sized to provide a few weeks’ worth of supplement without becoming a permanent, immovable fixture.
Bull Master Mineral Feeder Weather Protection
The number one enemy of loose mineral is moisture. The Bull Master Mineral Feeder is designed specifically to win this battle. Its heavy-duty rubber hood completely shields the mineral from rain, sleet, and snow, ensuring the supplement stays dry and palatable.
Wasted mineral is wasted money. An open tub can lose its entire contents to a single downpour, forcing you to chip out a solid, useless block. The Bull Master’s protective cover means your investment in high-quality minerals actually makes it into your cattle, not a muddy puddle.
This feeder is low to the ground and wide, making it exceptionally stable. Even an aggressive bull will have a hard time flipping it. It’s a simple, robust design that focuses on one thing: protecting your mineral supplement from the elements.
Apache Double Wheel Feeder for Controlled Intake
The Apache Double Wheel Feeder takes the concept of controlled intake and scales it up slightly. With two wheels instead of one, it allows two animals to feed simultaneously. This reduces competition and ensures less dominant cows get their turn.
This design is particularly useful for supplements that you want to limit strictly. The wheels only allow a small amount of liquid to be consumed with each lick, forcing a slow, steady intake. This is crucial for high-energy feeds where overconsumption can be a serious health risk. It gives you precise control over how much supplement your herd is getting.
Like other wheel feeders, it requires some maintenance in freezing weather. However, the heavy-duty poly tank is durable and the dual-wheel setup offers a bit of redundancy. If one wheel gets stuck, the other may still be functional, giving you time to fix the issue without cutting off the supplement supply completely.
Brower 30-Gallon Poly Lick Tank Simplicity
Sometimes, you just need something that works without any fuss. The Brower 30-Gallon Poly Lick Tank is the definition of simple and effective. It’s a straightforward, durable poly tank with a single lick wheel, designed for reliability and ease of use.
There are no complicated parts to assemble or maintain. You fill it up, put it in the pasture, and let the cattle do the rest. Its smaller capacity makes it a great fit for small herds of 5-10 animals, and its poly construction means it’s light enough to move around as you rotate pastures.
This feeder is an excellent entry-level option or a solid choice for anyone who prioritizes function over features. It delivers supplement efficiently, stands up to abuse, and doesn’t require a manual to operate. It’s a testament to the idea that often, the simplest solution is the best one.
Choosing the right lick feeder is less about the brand and more about matching the tool to your specific goals for your pasture and herd. Whether you need portability for rotational grazing or durability to withstand a rowdy bull, the right feeder acts as a partner in your farm management. Ultimately, it helps you raise healthier animals on healthier land, which is the goal we’re all working toward.
