6 Best Heavy Duty Mineral Lick Holders For Sheep

You walk out to the pasture and see it: a brand new, fifty-pound mineral block, now a lumpy, brown mess dissolving in a mud puddle. Sheep are masters at destroying, pushing, and otherwise wasting anything not bolted down. A good mineral program is a cornerstone of flock health, but it does no good if the minerals end up in the dirt. This is why a heavy-duty mineral lick holder isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for saving money and keeping your animals healthy.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Why a Heavy-Duty Holder is Essential for Sheep

Sheep are not delicate animals. They will stand on, rub against, and aggressively push anything in their field, and a mineral holder is a prime target for this abuse. A flimsy plastic holder or a simple tub will be cracked, flipped, or dragged across the pasture within a week. Durability is the number one feature you’re paying for.

The cost of a good holder is quickly offset by the money you save on wasted minerals. A single rainstorm can dissolve a significant portion of an unprotected salt or mineral block, washing your investment directly into the ground. Even worse, a block kicked into the mud and manure becomes a source of contamination, potentially exposing your flock to parasites and bacteria.

Beyond physical abuse, a holder’s job is to protect the mineral from the elements. Rain is the obvious enemy, but intense sun can also degrade certain vitamins in a mineral mix. A well-designed holder provides a physical barrier that extends the life and efficacy of your supplements, ensuring the sheep are getting the full benefit of what you’re providing.

Behlen Country Poly Feeder for Weather Protection

When your primary concern is weather, a covered feeder is the obvious solution. The Behlen Country Poly Feeder, and others like it, are typically designed with a built-in hood or roof that hangs over the mineral block. This simple feature is a game-changer in wet or snowy climates.

This design directly prevents rain from turning your expensive mineral block into a salty puddle. It keeps the block intact and available to the sheep for weeks or months longer than an exposed one. The value proposition is simple: the feeder pays for itself by preserving just one or two blocks that would have otherwise been ruined.

Made from heavy-duty polyethylene, these feeders are also incredibly tough. They won’t rust or corrode like metal, and they can absorb a lot of impact from a pushy ewe without cracking. The smooth, rounded edges are also safer for animals than the potentially sharp corners of a homemade wooden box or a rusting metal container.

Little Giant P-8 Holder for Standard Salt Blocks

Sometimes, you just need something simple and indestructible. The Little Giant P-8 (or its larger block-holding cousins) is the definition of a no-frills, purpose-built tool. It’s a heavy-duty molded plastic holder designed to be screwed to a wall or post.

This holder is at its best inside a barn or a three-sided run-in shed. Since it offers no weather protection, it’s ideal for holding a basic salt block where it’s already shielded from rain. Its main job is to keep the block off the ground and secure it in one place so the sheep can’t use it as a toy.

The tradeoff for its simplicity is its lack of versatility. It’s not a good choice for soft, expensive mineral blocks left out in the pasture. But for its intended purpose—securing a block in a sheltered area—it’s cheap, effective, and will likely outlast the wall you mount it on. It’s a perfect example of using the right tool for the right job.

High Country SL-2 Feeder for Loose Minerals

Not all supplements come in a block. Loose minerals are often used for more customized nutritional programs, but they present a huge challenge: how to offer them without most of the product being blown away, washed out, or contaminated. The High Country SL-2 is specifically designed to solve this problem.

This type of feeder features a deep basin protected by a wide hood. The design forces sheep to put their head inside to eat, which contains the loose mineral and prevents them from slinging it everywhere with their noses. The hood provides excellent protection from rain, keeping the pricey mix dry and preventing it from clumping into an unusable brick.

Constructed from thick, UV-stabilized poly, these feeders are built for permanent outdoor placement. They are heavy enough to resist tipping and tough enough to withstand years of abuse from the flock and the sun. If you are feeding loose minerals, a specialized, covered feeder like this is not optional—it’s the only way to ensure the supplement actually gets into your animals.

Sioux Steel Upright Feeder for Large Flocks

As your flock grows, competition at a single mineral station becomes a real problem. Timid ewes or smaller lambs can be pushed out, leading to nutritional deficiencies in part of your flock. A large-capacity, multi-sided feeder like those from Sioux Steel addresses this by allowing several animals to eat at once.

These are typically ground-based feeders, often with a large central reservoir for loose minerals, protected by a heavy rubber flap or lid. Their substantial weight and low center of gravity make them virtually impossible for sheep to tip over. The design ensures that multiple sheep can comfortably access the mineral from different sides, reducing bullying and ensuring more equitable consumption.

While some models are made of steel, which is incredibly durable but can eventually rust, many are now made from heavy-duty poly. These are a significant investment compared to a single-block holder, but they are essential for managing the health of a larger group of animals. They solve the logistical problem of providing free-choice minerals to dozens of sheep simultaneously.

Tarter E-Z Mount Feeder for Fence Line Access

Efficiency is key on a small farm, and anything that saves you a few steps every day adds up. Fence-line feeders, like the Tarter E-Z Mount, are designed around this principle. By mounting the feeder on a fence or gate, you can refill it from outside the pasture.

This is more than a convenience. It means you don’t have to wade through mud or get mobbed by eager sheep just to top off the minerals. It’s also a significant safety feature if you have a protective ram or are trying not to disturb ewes during lambing season. Keeping the feeder off the ground also dramatically reduces the risk of fecal contamination.

These feeders need to be tough, as they will be subjected to constant rubbing and pressure. Look for sturdy steel or thick-walled poly construction with a robust mounting system. The brackets are the most critical part—they must be able to withstand the weight of the feeder, the mineral, and a 150-pound ewe leaning her entire body against it.

Brower MFS48 Feeder with Protective Rubber Flap

For maximum protection of high-value loose minerals, a feeder with a self-closing flap is the top-tier solution. The Brower MFS48 and similar models feature a heavy rubber flap that covers the mineral trough, providing an almost weatherproof seal.

Sheep quickly learn to nudge the flap with their nose to access the minerals. When they pull their head out, the flap drops back into place, protecting the contents from rain, snow, birds, and rodents. This design is unparalleled for minimizing waste and contamination, making it ideal for expensive, custom-formulated mineral mixes or protein supplements.

The only real downside is that a very timid animal might be hesitant to use it at first, though they typically learn by watching others. The initial cost is higher than a simple open feeder, but the savings in preserved minerals can be substantial, especially in areas with harsh weather. It’s the best option when you need to ensure your supplement is clean, dry, and always available.

Choosing the Right Holder for Your Flock’s Needs

There is no single "best" mineral holder. The right choice depends entirely on your specific operation, climate, and management style. Trying to use a simple indoor holder in a rainy pasture is a recipe for frustration and wasted money.

Before you buy, ask yourself a few key questions. Answering them will narrow your options down from dozens to just one or two clear choices.

• Block or Loose? This is the most critical question. Your choice of supplement dictates the type of feeder you need.
• Indoors or Outdoors? If the feeder will be exposed to rain and snow, a covered design is non-negotiable.
• Flock Size? A small flock of five sheep has very different needs than a flock of fifty. Plan for enough access to prevent competition.
• Mounting Location? Do you want the convenience of a fence-line feeder, the security of a post-mounted one, or the stability of a heavy ground feeder?

Don’t underestimate the importance of this simple piece of equipment. A durable, well-chosen mineral holder is a small investment that protects the larger one you make in your flock’s nutrition and overall health. It’s a foundational tool for responsible and efficient animal husbandry.

Ultimately, a heavy-duty mineral holder is about control. It lets you control waste, control contamination, and control how your nutritional investment is delivered to your flock. Choosing the right one is a simple, practical step toward a healthier, more productive herd.