6 Best Sheep Feeders for Reduced Waste

Watching your carefully measured grain get tossed onto the muddy ground is a familiar frustration for any sheep keeper. It’s not just wasted money; it’s wasted effort and a potential health risk. The right feeder can change that entire dynamic, turning feeding time from a chaotic mess into a calm, efficient routine.

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Why Corner Feeders Are Ideal for Small Flocks

Corner feeders are a game-changer in tight spaces like a small barn, a kidding pen, or a lean-to shelter. They tuck neatly out of the way, maximizing the usable floor area your animals have. This placement also naturally reduces competition, as sheep can’t crowd each other out from all sides.

The real benefit, however, comes from multi-compartment designs. These allow you to offer hay, a grain ration, and loose minerals all in one consolidated spot. This isn’t just convenient; it promotes better flock health by ensuring every animal has access to a complete nutritional profile without you having to hang multiple buckets and racks.

Cleaning is also simpler. With one unit to scrub instead of three or four separate containers, you save valuable time. A well-designed corner feeder contains the mess, keeping bedding cleaner and reducing the risk of moldy feed getting mixed into the flock’s living space.

Tarter 3-Piece Feeder: Versatile and Durable

When you need something that can stand up to abuse, steel is the answer. The Tarter 3-Piece Feeder is built from heavy-gauge steel, making it nearly indestructible against the pushing and rubbing of even the most determined sheep. Its modular design makes installation a breeze, as you can fit the pieces through narrow doorways and assemble them inside the stall.

This feeder’s V-shape is excellent for holding flake hay, but it’s also deep enough to serve grain or pellets without much spillage. The solid back and sides prevent feed from being pushed out against the wall. Think of it as a permanent fixture—once it’s bolted in, it’s not going anywhere.

The main tradeoff is weight and the potential for rust over many years, though modern coatings are quite effective. For a permanent or semi-permanent setup where durability is the top priority, the Tarter is a workhorse that pays for itself by simply lasting forever.

High Country Plastics CF-10: Deep & Waste-Proof

Plastic feeders have come a long way, and the High Country Plastics CF-10 is a prime example of smart design. Its standout feature is its depth. Sheep have to put their heads into the feeder to eat, which dramatically cuts down on the wasteful habit of flinging grain sideways.

The seamless, molded construction means there are no corners or crevices where old feed can get stuck and mold. A quick wipe or a spray with a hose is all it takes to clean it. This material is also surprisingly tough; it can flex under impact without cracking and won’t get brittle in the cold.

Because it’s made of polyethylene, it will never rust or rot. This makes it a fantastic choice for areas with high humidity or for feeding wet mashes. It’s a true “set it and forget it” option for waste-conscious shepherds.

Behlen Country Poly Feeder: A Lightweight Option

Sometimes you need flexibility. The Behlen Country Poly Feeder offers the benefits of modern plastic—no rust, easy cleaning—in a very lightweight package. This makes it incredibly easy to move between pens, take to shows, or simply pull out for a thorough scrubbing.

Its smaller profile is perfect for lambing jugs or for separating a single animal that needs a special ration. The rounded edges are a key safety feature, preventing injuries if an animal gets spooked and bumps into it. It mounts securely to a wall or fence post with just a few screws.

The primary consideration here is its light weight. While convenient, a large, boisterous ewe could potentially knock it around if it’s not fastened securely. For smaller breeds or temporary setups, its portability is a massive advantage.

Little Giant 3-in-1: For Hay, Grain, and Salt

The Little Giant 3-in-1 is designed for the shepherd who wants total nutritional control in one spot. It combines a hay rack, a grain trough, and a small mineral cup into a single, compact unit. This is efficiency at its best.

The V-shaped hay rack keeps hay off the ground, while the trough below cleverly catches any leaves or fines that fall through, ensuring nothing is wasted. The separate, smaller compartment is perfect for offering free-choice loose minerals or a salt block, keeping it clean and dry. This separation is crucial, as fouled minerals won’t be eaten.

This feeder is particularly useful for pregnant or lactating ewes who have higher nutritional demands. You can provide high-quality alfalfa, a specific grain mix, and essential minerals all within a few inches of each other. It streamlines your chores and ensures your most critical animals get exactly what they need.

Shepherd’s Choice Waste-Saver: Built for Sheep

This feeder’s name says it all. The Shepherd’s Choice Waste-Saver is engineered specifically to combat the wasteful eating habits of sheep. It features vertical bars or a wire grid over the trough, forcing the animals to eat with their heads down and preventing them from yanking mouthfuls of hay out onto the floor.

By slowing them down and controlling access, this design can reduce hay waste by a significant margin. That’s not just a minor saving; over the course of a winter, it can add up to several bales of hay. The initial investment in a feeder like this pays back quickly in reduced feed costs.

This style is best suited for chopped hay or chaff, as long-stem hay can be a bit harder for them to pull through the grid. However, for anyone tired of seeing expensive hay used as bedding, a feeder with this kind of waste-reducing grate is the most direct solution to the problem.

Farmstead Pro 4-Compartment: For Varied Rations

For the flock manager who needs to offer multiple supplements, the Farmstead Pro 4-Compartment feeder is the ultimate tool. Its design features four distinct, deep bins in a single unit. This allows for what’s known as a "cafeteria-style" mineral program.

You can fill the compartments with different individual minerals—say, kelp, salt, a phosphorus source, and a general sheep mineral. The animals, guided by instinct, will consume what their bodies need. This is a more advanced approach to flock nutrition that can address specific deficiencies more effectively than a single mixed mineral.

Alternatively, you can use the compartments to feed different grain rations to animals sharing a pen, or to offer creep feed for lambs that is inaccessible to the ewes. It’s a specialized piece of equipment, but for those fine-tuning their flock’s diet, the level of control it offers is unmatched.

Choosing Your Feeder: Material and Capacity Guide

Your decision ultimately comes down to balancing durability, portability, and your specific feeding strategy. The two biggest factors are the material it’s made from and the capacity it holds. There’s no single "best" answer, only the best fit for your farm.

When it comes to materials, you have two main choices. Steel is heavier, more durable, and resistant to chewing or rubbing, but it can eventually rust. Plastic (Polyethylene) is lightweight, rust-proof, and easy to clean, but it can be damaged by a very determined animal and may need more secure mounting.

Capacity should be matched to your flock size and how often you feed. A feeder that’s too small causes competition and stress, while one that’s too large might encourage stale, leftover feed. Consider these points:

• Flock Size: Ensure there is enough linear space for at least half your sheep to eat at once without aggressive shoving.
• Feed Type: Hay requires more volume than dense grain or pellets. A deep V-shape is better for hay.
• Feeding Frequency: If you only feed once a day, you’ll need a larger capacity feeder than if you feed twice a day.
• Location: A feeder in a high-traffic area needs to be tougher than one in a protected lambing jug.

Choosing the right feeder is an investment, not just an expense. It’s a tool that directly impacts your feed bill, your time, and the health of your flock. By matching the feeder’s design to your specific needs, you can create a more efficient and sustainable system for your farm.