6 Best Easy Clean Hay Feeders For Busy Farmers That Reduce Hay Waste
Maximize farm efficiency with our guide to the 6 best hay feeders. These easy-to-clean models are designed to reduce costly hay waste and save you time.
You toss a fresh flake of hay into the pasture, and within minutes, the goats have pulled it apart, trampled half of it into the mud, and decided the other half makes for a comfortable bed. That perfectly good hay—and the money you spent on it—is now just part of the landscape. For a busy farmer, watching feed turn into waste is more than just frustrating; it’s a drain on the two resources you can’t afford to lose: time and money. Finding the right hay feeder isn’t about fancy equipment; it’s a strategic move to reclaim both.
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Why Hay Waste Hits a Busy Farmer’s Wallet
Feeding animals on the ground is the fastest way to turn your feed bill into a mud bill. A single bale of hay can lose up to 50% of its volume to trampling, soiling, and outright refusal by picky eaters once it hits the dirt. This isn’t just lost nutrition; it’s cash, literally being ground into the earth.
The cost goes beyond the price of the bale itself. That wasted, soggy hay creates a perfect breeding ground for parasites and bacteria, which can lead to vet bills down the road. It also means more work for you, as you have to muck out that heavy, wet mess to keep pens clean and healthy.
Think of a good feeder as an investment that pays you back with every bale. By containing the hay and making animals work a little harder for each bite, you drastically cut down on waste. That means the hay you buy lasts longer, your animals stay healthier, and you spend less time cleaning up and more time on other crucial farm tasks.
Key Features: Durability, Cleaning, and Design
When you’re choosing a feeder, durability is non-negotiable. Livestock don’t treat their furniture gently; they will rub on it, stand in it, and push it around. Look for heavy-gauge steel, quality welds, and durable, UV-resistant plastics that won’t get brittle and crack after one season in the sun.
"Easy to clean" is a promise that often falls short. A truly easy-to-clean feeder has smooth surfaces and rounded corners where old, moldy hay can’t get trapped. If you have to fight with a pressure washer and a scraper to get it clean, you’ll stop doing it, which compromises your animals’ health. It should also be light enough to tip over and hose out without a struggle.
Finally, the design dictates how much hay is saved. Does it have a slow-feed grate that prevents animals from taking huge, wasteful mouthfuls? Is there a solid pan or trough at the bottom to catch the nutrient-rich leaves and fines that fall off the stems? A feeder without a catch-pan is just a slightly better version of the ground.
Tarter Goat Feeder: Top Choice for Small Stock
This classic V-shaped feeder is a staple in goat and sheep pens for a good reason. Its design is simple but incredibly effective. The angled bars keep the hay contained and force animals to pull it through the slats, which naturally limits how much they can grab at once.
The real genius of this feeder is the built-in trough at the bottom. As animals eat, all the best parts of the hay—the small, leafy bits known as "fines"—fall into the trough instead of onto the ground. This feature alone can save a significant amount of high-quality nutrition that would otherwise be lost.
Made from galvanized steel, these feeders are built to withstand the relentless abuse of small, determined livestock. They are heavy enough to stay put but manageable enough to move for cleaning. For anyone raising goats, sheep, or even alpacas, the Tarter feeder is a workhorse that delivers on its promise to reduce waste.
Hay Chix Net: The Ultimate Waste-Saving Solution
Reduce hay waste and promote healthy digestion with the Hay Chix slow feed hay net. Made from durable, UV-treated marine-grade nylon, this half bale net features a patented closure for easy filling and secure feeding.
A slow-feed hay net isn’t a traditional feeder, but it’s one of the most effective waste-reduction tools you can own. The concept is simple: a durable net with small openings forces animals to nibble and pull strands of hay slowly, mimicking their natural grazing behavior. This simple change in eating style virtually eliminates the possibility of pulling out huge clumps to drop and trample.
The benefits extend beyond saving hay. Slower eating is better for an animal’s digestive system, particularly for horses, and can help prevent issues like colic and ulcers. It also keeps them occupied for longer, reducing boredom and the destructive behaviors that can come with it.
There is a tradeoff, of course. Stuffing a hay net, especially a large one, takes more time upfront than just throwing a flake in a feeder. However, the time you save on cleanup and the money you save on wasted hay often make it a net positive. Their versatility is a huge plus; you can hang them from a fence post, a tree branch, or a hook in a stall.
High Country Wall Feeder: A Space-Saving Option
In a tight stall or a small shelter, floor space is prime real estate. A wall-mounted feeder is the perfect solution, getting the hay up off the ground without creating an obstacle. These feeders keep hay contained, clean, and away from manure and urine.
Typically made of heavy-duty molded plastic, wall feeders are incredibly durable and have smooth surfaces that make daily wipe-downs easy. The solid back and sides are key, preventing animals from slinging hay out into their bedding. This is especially useful for animals that are stalled for part of the day.
The primary limitation is capacity. Most wall feeders are designed for one or two animals and need to be filled daily. While they are easy to wipe out, a deep clean can be more challenging since they are fixed in place. They are an excellent, tidy solution for individual stalls but aren’t practical for feeding a larger group in a pasture.
Behlen Country Bale Feeder: For Durability
When you’re feeding large stock like horses or cattle, or managing a whole flock of sheep with a round bale, you need a heavy-duty solution. The classic steel bale ring is designed for one primary purpose: to stop a several-hundred-pound bale from being turned into a community bed and bathroom within hours.
These feeders are all about brute strength. Constructed from thick, galvanized or powder-coated steel, they are designed to withstand pushing, leaning, and general abuse from animals that weigh over a thousand pounds. This is not a precision tool; it’s a barrier.
While a basic ring feeder prevents trampling, it doesn’t stop animals from pulling hay out and dropping it around the perimeter. For better waste reduction, look for models with a "skirted" bottom—a solid metal sheet around the base to catch dropped hay. Others feature slanted bars that make it harder for animals to pull their heads straight out, causing more hay to fall back inside the feeder instead of on the ground.
SunGrow Rabbit Feeder: For Your Smallest Animals
Don’t underestimate the waste-generating power of your smallest livestock. Rabbits are notorious for soiling their hay, rendering it inedible and unhealthy. A simple, well-designed feeder is just as important for a rabbit hutch as it is for a horse pasture.
The SunGrow feeder and similar models are designed to mount easily onto the side of a wire cage. They provide a simple rack that holds a generous amount of hay, keeping it clean and off the floor of the hutch. This separation is crucial for preventing digestive issues and keeping their living space sanitary.
This is a small investment with a big payoff in animal health and saved time. Instead of replacing soiled hay daily, you simply top off a clean supply. For the busy farmer with a rabbitry or other small animals, it’s an efficiency tool that simplifies a daily chore.
Tuff Stuff Ground Feeder: Versatile and Portable
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. A heavy-duty rubber or plastic ground tub, like the ones made by Tuff Stuff, is one of the most versatile tools on a small farm. While not a "feeder" in the traditional sense, it serves a critical function: it creates a clean barrier between the hay and the ground.
Placing hay in one of these tubs instantly prevents it from being ground into the mud or dirt. This is a massive improvement over feeding directly on the ground, especially in wet conditions. For animals like pigs or sheep that are tough on equipment, the flexible, durable construction is nearly indestructible.
The beauty of this option is its portability and ease of cleaning. You can move it anywhere in the pasture to prevent muddy buildup in one spot. To clean it, just tip it over, dump out the old scraps, and give it a quick spray with a hose. It may not be a slow feeder, but as a basic, affordable, and easy-to-clean option, it’s hard to beat.
Choosing the right hay feeder is a practical decision that directly impacts your bottom line and your daily workload. There is no single "best" option; the ideal choice depends entirely on your animals, your setup, and your routine. By matching the feeder’s design to your specific needs, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment—you’re investing in a more efficient, sustainable, and less wasteful farm.
