6 Best Elevated Salt Lick Feeders for Sheep

You walk out to the pasture after a hard rain and see it: your brand new, 50-pound salt block is a melted, muddy puddle trampled into the ground. That’s not just wasted money; it’s a missed opportunity to keep your flock healthy. Investing in a proper elevated feeder is one of the smartest, simplest moves a shepherd can make.

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Why Elevated Feeders Prevent Waste and Disease

Putting minerals directly on the ground is a recipe for waste. A single downpour can dissolve a significant portion of a salt or mineral block, letting your investment literally wash away. Sheep walking over and soiling the block makes it unpalatable, meaning they won’t consume the nutrients they need.

More importantly, a ground-level block is a magnet for contamination. Manure and urine introduce parasites and bacteria right where your animals are eating. This creates a direct pathway for disease transmission, undermining the very health you’re trying to support with the minerals.

Elevating the feeder breaks this cycle. It keeps the minerals clean, dry, and appealing, ensuring your flock gets the full benefit. A good feeder pays for itself not just in saved minerals, but in vet bills you never have to pay.

Tarter Mineral Feeder: A Weatherproof Classic

When you need to protect loose minerals or blocks from the elements, the Tarter-style feeder is the go-to solution. It’s typically a heavy-duty polyethylene tub with a thick rubber flap covering the opening. This design is simple, effective, and built to last.

The key advantage here is total weather protection. Rain, sleet, and snow stay out, keeping expensive minerals from clumping or dissolving. The flap is easily pushed open by sheep but heavy enough to fall back into place, protecting the contents from blowing rain and opportunistic birds.

While not as light as a simple block holder, these feeders are still manageable to move between pastures. Their durable poly construction means they won’t rust or corrode, making them a reliable fixture on the farm for years. They are a true workhorse for any shepherd serious about mineral supplementation.

High Country Single Block Holder for Portability

For shepherds practicing intensive rotational grazing, portability is everything. The High Country Single Block Holder is the essence of simplicity: a molded plastic or metal frame that holds one standard 50-pound block a few inches off the ground. Its lightweight design makes it effortless to pick up and move with the flock every time you shift them to a new paddock.

This feeder’s strength is its mobility. You can ensure your sheep always have access to salt and minerals, no matter which corner of the farm they’re in. It prevents the block from becoming a muddy mess and is an incredibly affordable way to get started with elevated feeding.

The obvious tradeoff is the lack of weather protection. The block is completely exposed to the elements, making this feeder best suited for arid climates or for farmers who can bring it under cover during storms. It’s a specialized tool that excels at its one job: keeping a block clean and mobile.

Behlen Country Feeder: Heavy-Duty Steel Design

If you’ve got a permanent pasture and need something that can withstand anything your flock—or the weather—throws at it, the Behlen is your answer. These feeders are typically constructed from heavy-gauge galvanized steel. They are built for pure, unadulterated toughness.

The sheer weight and rugged construction mean this feeder isn’t going anywhere. Boisterous rams, pushy ewes, or even a curious cow from a neighboring field won’t knock it over. This is a buy-it-once, lifetime investment.

Because of its weight, it’s not ideal for rotational systems. You find a good, high-traffic spot, place it, and leave it. For a central watering area or a permanent home pasture, its stability and durability are second to none.

Little Giant Fence Feeder for Small Flocks

Not everyone needs a 100-pound steel behemoth. For those with a small flock, a ram in a separate pen, or a few sheep in a temporary quarantine area, the Little Giant Fence Feeder is a perfect fit. It’s a compact plastic tub with built-in hooks that allow it to hang securely on a fence rail or gate.

This design is brilliant for saving space in tight quarters. It keeps the minerals off the ground, preventing contamination and waste, without creating a floor obstacle. They are incredibly easy to install, move, and, most importantly, remove for a thorough cleaning.

Of course, its small size is also its limitation. It’s not suitable for a large group of sheep, as it would lead to competition and prevent less dominant animals from getting access. But for its intended purpose—serving a few animals in a confined space—it’s an affordable and highly practical solution.

Sioux Steel Ground Feeder: Unmatched Durability

Don’t let the "ground feeder" name fool you; this unit is all about elevating minerals with maximum durability. The Sioux Steel feeder combines a heavy, tip-proof steel base with a poly tub and a protective rubber flap. It’s low-profile, but it keeps the goods out of the mud.

This feeder’s main selling point is its bomb-proof stability. The wide, heavy base makes it virtually impossible for animals to tip over, making it ideal for aggressive eaters or mixed livestock operations. It offers the weather protection of a covered feeder with the immovable nature of a heavy-duty steel unit.

The low height makes it easily accessible for lambs, while the steel frame ensures it will last for decades. It represents a fantastic middle ground: more stable and durable than a poly-only tub, but with all the weatherproof benefits. It’s a serious piece of equipment for a permanent feeding station.

Brower Poly Feeder for All-Season Protection

The Brower Poly Feeder is designed with animal safety and all-season performance in mind. These are often round, heavy-molded polyethylene feeders with a large hood or flap system. The poly material is key here—it won’t rust in the wet, and unlike steel, it won’t get blazing hot in the summer sun or dangerously cold in the winter.

The round design with smooth, curved edges minimizes the risk of injury to your animals. There are no sharp corners for a sheep to get caught on. The hood provides excellent coverage, protecting minerals not only from rain and snow but also from the bleaching effects of direct sunlight.

These feeders are heavy enough to stay put but can still be moved by one person. They are incredibly easy to hose out and keep sanitary. For a shepherd who prioritizes animal safety and wants a low-maintenance, all-weather solution, the Brower is a top contender.

Choosing Your Feeder: Material and Capacity

Your final choice comes down to a few key factors: your environment, your management style, and the size of your flock. There is no single "best" feeder, only the best one for your specific farm.

First, consider the material.

• Steel: Unmatched durability and weight for stability. Prone to rust over time if the coating is compromised and can get very hot in direct sun.
• Polyethylene (Poly): Rust-proof, lighter, and safer with smooth edges. Can become brittle after many years of extreme sun and cold, but modern plastics are incredibly tough.

Next, match the feeder to your flock size and grazing system. A portable single-block holder is perfect for rotational grazing with a dozen sheep. For a set-and-forget system with 30 ewes, you’ll need a larger, covered tub feeder to ensure everyone gets access without fighting. Don’t buy a feeder so small that only the boss ewe gets to use it. The goal is herd-wide health, not just feeding the strongest.

Ultimately, the best feeder is the one you will actually use, and the one that fits your system. The principle is what matters: get the minerals off the ground, keep them clean, and protect them from the weather. Do that, and you’ll see the returns in healthier sheep and a healthier wallet.