25 DIY Goat Hay Feeder Plans You Can Build Today

A goat hay feeder is an essential tool for your farm. It saves a lot of food by avoiding excessive spillage. Simultaneously, hay’s quality is also guaranteed to avoid infection or mold.

Investing in a new feeder can hurt your budget, so why not make a tool yourself?

This way is a lot more economical because you can reuse many materials available at home. It will also be more environmentally friendly when you use and recycle the items.

If you’re ready, let’s get started with our 25 DIY goat hay feeder plans!

1. DIY Wall Mounted Pallet Goat Feeder

Let’s start this list with a straightforward and affordable project for any beginner woodworker. All you need are only 1 pallet, some 2×4 scrap wood, and you can carry out this one.

The scrap wood is to make the bracing arms and the bottom supporter for the pallet to sit securely. And what to do left is screwing the pallet in place.

This Wall-mount design will give you more space to fill the hay inside each time. It’s also easy to clean and use.

One thing to remember is that pallets may contain many splinters that can hurt your goats. So, sanding will work wonders.

Project details: roughandtumblefarmhouse.com

2. Barrel & Scrap wood Hay Feeder

This standing feeder has a rather novel yet simple design. It will be more convenient to replace when damaged, and cleaning is required with only two separate parts.

Its support arms are designed to keep this one from tipping, so it should be of sufficient length. We recommend the equivalent of the side length of the square base as best (about 2 feet).

Project details: homesteadingongrace.com

3. Hay Feeder For Small Livestock

Looking for a good feeder for small livestock like goats, sheep, and more? This idea isn’t a bad choice for animals from growing up to adulthood with an overall length of about 4 feet.

The most special feature in this project is the foundation part. It strengthens the overall frame and contains hay that falls from the hay and avoids waste.

Project details: grit.com

4. DIY Goat Feeder For Square Bales

For open barns, this square box feeder is something you should not miss. It won’t take up too much space, but it also allows many sheep to eat simultaneously.

You can use scrap wood or purchase 8 economic studs 2×4 type, and each of them should be at 92-1/2 inches. It will be better to build an extra roof to prevent rain or dew that will moisten and damage the hay.

Project details: goatworld.com

5. DIY Goat hay Feeder With Wheel

Why don’t we add wheels to the goat feeder to make it easier to move it? Its convenience will make you want to try to do this project as soon.

You will place two wheels on one of its sides. In addition to supporting transportation, this quantity will help save costs and fix this tool better, avoiding slipping or rolling.

The X frame with the V-shaped metal shelf also makes the feeder stand out, not the conventional box shape. To make this portion, prepare 2×4 wood and wire mesh.

Also, it has a wooden tray at the bottom to catch all the hay to avoid waste.

Project details: luckypennyacres.org

6. Fence Line Connected Goat Feeder

Why should we choose this fence-line-connected design? Because it saves space inside the barn and also helps to fix the feeder better. Moreover, it also will provide hay to a lot of goats at the same time.

This project isn’t too difficult to do. However, because there is no roof, the ability to protect the hay quality isn’t outstanding.

But this also means fewer materials – a 48-inch tall x 16 feet long panel is enough to make 4 feeders.

Project details: challengedsurvival.blogspot.com

7. Building A Goat Feeder By Harper Valley Farm

The big goat feeder designed to stop the goats from wasting the hay as soon as it touches the ground.

The feeder makes from boards cut down to 2×2, then angled and screwed together. The angled sides help the hay falls out more easily.

The author added pieces of wood to the top so that the goats can’t jump up and can eat the hay directly from the feeder.

8. Free Steel 8 Foot Hay Feeder Plans

An obvious advantage of building a goat feeder out of steel tubes is that it’s a bit lighter than wood, and of course, your livestock won’t be able to gnaw or damage the frame.

You will have to prepare quite a lot of 40x40x2.0 SHS steel bars. It’s best to list it out to ensure you don’t miss any parts before you start working on it.

Project details: kurraglenindustries.com.au

9. DIY Hay Feeder Under $30 From A Futon Frame

Making a feeder from a futon frame? This may sound quite complicated, but the truth is that it will take less your time. Just 4 5-inch u-bolts and build a box under the frame to complete this project.

Futon frame’s size may depend on the number or size of your goat. For those grown-up and quite tall, you should choose a frame with a slightly higher base.

Project details: pauleyalpacacompany.com

10. Easy DIY Goat Hay Feeder From Steel Frame

One more idea for recycling, utilize your tank!

The IBC tank with a metal frame is the ideal choice for recycling into a single or feeder. You need a little ingenuity to remove the plastic tub and reassemble the metal bars.

Standard IBC tanks are usually around 40 x 40 x 50 feet in size. It is relatively large, so you need a large enough space to place this feeder.

11. Build A Hay Feeder From Scraps

Do you have a slat-walled barn but still want a mounted feeder? Here we have the solution for you. The slats on your wall will come in handy and work as stabilizers for the build.

But the secret is to hang the feeder at a 45-degree angle. This way, hay will have no chance to fall out of the back. Of course, there should be no problem if you have solid walls.

To place it at the right angle, you need to extend the feeder’s top so that it can lean towards the ground. Use 2 6-inch pieces of 2×4 scrap wood to make stabilizers for the extension.

Project details: morningchores.com

12. Goat Hay Feeder With Roof

This is the most massive design with a relatively high difficulty. But the result will make you happy, so try to complete it.

It has a roof to keep hay always dry and a box under to avoid hay falling a lot to the ground.

Its frame will take a little time to make. And you need to pay attention to the overall length; the length of the roof and the base below must be similar – 52 inches or you can tailor based on the number of your goats.

Besides, the joint should be durable enough to maintain the best performance of this tool.

Project details: mysimplecountryliving.blogspot.com

13. Minimal Waste Hay Feeder

For those who have a large number of sheep or want to feed multiple livestock at once, this idea is for you. It’s ideal for utilizing the wooden edges of the barn to form parts of the hay feeder.

Using old 2×4 pallets or any scrap wood is highly recommended. If the distance between the wooden bars is too large, you can insert a rectangular wire mesh to limit waste.

14. Large-size Hay Feeder From Pallet

This V-shaped feeder looks like a baby cradle and will save you a great amount of hay. It’s because the design prevents goats from eating off the top and throwing hay on the bottom.

It’s simple! You’ll need 4 pallets to complete the project, 2 on the sides and 2 for the V part. Remember that these should be open-sided pallets (or you can remove the sides if any) for the goats to eat easier.

You can aim to make large size feeders so find large pallets. This will allow many goats to eat at the same time. It also will be strong and durable enough to maintain the best condition as well as prevent the goat from gnawing or damaging the wooden frame.

Project details: bootsandhooveshomestead.com

15. Homemade Goat Hay Feeder From Repurposed Crib

Cost-saving and time-saving are outstanding advantages that this design brings. If you already have a baby crib, rest assured that other materials will be right on your farm.

There is no need to worry about the gap between the wooden sticks of the rib, and it’s relatively small and just enough for the goat to eat. To better protect dry grass when left outdoors, you should prepare an extra roof for it.

Project details: weedemandreap.com

16. DIY No Waste Hay Feeder For Goats

This hay feeder has two parts- an open bottom part where the hay is placed, and a top part with a roof that keeps the hay dry.

The frame for the top part make out of two by fours, and the panel that forms the roof is 38 and a quarter inches long by 24 inches wide.

The triangles at the end of the panel keep the goats from getting their heads stuck, and the fencing staples hold the panel in place.

The gutters are plumbed to the bucket hook, and can move around if necessary. The roof is made from metal, but any type of roofing material can use.

This is a helpful feeder because it always keeps hay dry and doesn’t require as much filling. It provides a great way to keep your goats fed and healthy.

17. DIY Cheap Goat Feeder

For those who don’t have a big budget or need more simple, this plan will be a great choice. A small plastic barrel is only a few tens of dollars. Buying a second-hand one saves even more.

Once you have it, mark 3 squares that are wide enough for goats to put their heads in to eat (sides 5 to 7 inches). Next, you put 2 cement blocks at the bottom to keep hay when filling up from top to bottom and avoid goats knocking the barrel over.

Moreover, it’s advisable not to cut too big a square, and it can cause the goats to pull out a lot of hay and waste it easily.

Project details: motherearthnews.com

18. Plastic Tub Goat Feeder

A pretty good idea that you can attach to mount this feeder on the side of the barn or the wall. The mixing tub’s plastic material helps reduce overall weight and is easy to clean.

It’s more suitable for small cages with a small number of goats because it is quite small and can’t feed many at once.

Project details: willowcreekfarm.wordpress.com

19. Small-Sized Wall-mounted Hay Feeder

Wall-mount design is always popular for small spaces, and it also prevents goats from spilling or gnawing on wooden edges.

You need to prepare enough space on the wall, a rectangle about 24 x 33 inches for this project. You can make any size to fit your space.

And besides scrap wood, don’t forget to prepare tools as the table saw or suitable saws, electric drills, etc., to carry out this project without delay.

Project details: midcountyjournal.com

20. How To Build A Simple Hay Feeder For Goats

To build this hay feeder, you’ll need 2x4s, hog panels, screws, a drill, a saw, and 1×6 trim or fence pickets.

The finished project is a simple rectangular frame with a bottom trough to hold the hay, and side rails to keep the goats from getting in. It can load on a vehicle to take to your pasture or barn.

21. No-waste Goat Feeder With Base

Goats have a habit of pulling out a lot of hay at once and won’t eat what’s left on the ground; that’s why this wall-mount design is designed with an extra base at the bottom.

The excess grass on the base will also be eaten by the goats afterward. And each time you fill with new grass, you can collect the excess grass from this base and put it back in the feeder above.

Also, for the goats to comfortably stand while eating, consider the width carefully to enough space when goats stand side by side. We suggest 150 cm for 3 goats.

Project details: half-full-farm.com

22. DIY Simple Hay Feeder For Goats

The feeder consists of two X-shaped pieces of wood, each with a hole in the middle for the feeder to rest in. It is anchored to the wood with screws and nails.

Also, the wire fencing attaches to the feeder on either side to keep the goats from jumping into. The finished feeder will be about 42 inches wide by 32 inches tall.

Overall, this hay feeder is a simple structure that is easy to build and does not require any special skills.

23. Cattle Panel Goat Hay Feeder

As a farmer, you should have known that a round feeder will serve more goats at once. This project brings you a circular feeder with a diameter of 38 inches.

This feeder is made from only one material – cattle panel. With about 10 to 15 minutes, you have one feeder for 8 to 15 goats. However, the recommended number is 10 to avoid competition when they eat together at a close distance.

You will need to prepare:

• A 16-foot section of cattle panel
• Bolt cutters
• A metal file or a grinder
• Heavy wire, fasteners, or zip ties

Project details: dummies.com

24. Easy and Cheap Goat Hay Feeder From Cattle Panel

This video shows you on how to make a goat feeder out of a piece of hog panels. The feeder is made by cutting out a corner from the panel and then folding the bottom up. It’s simple to make, you can bend and shape to fit your needs.

The feeder can attach to a wall with some fencing staples. This feeder is a great way to save money and have a quick feeder for your goats.

25. Double-side Hay Feeder

Why should you choose a double-sided hay feeder? It will provide the goat with more space to eat and prevent them from fighting for food. After all, goats have a reputation for food aggression and hay wasting.

You can fill more grass in one go without much effort with this feeder. You don’t need to go through a crowd of goats to fill hay feeder.

The only deal-breaker is that it will take a little effort for users to transport because of its heavy weight.

Project details: 5acresandadream.com

Conclusion

How do you think about our 25 DIY goat hay feeder ideas? We hope you’ll find out the one that suits you best.

Each project has its own advantages and for your different needs as well as the number of goats.

Don’t forget to prepare all the tools and read the instructions carefully to save time and cost simultaneously. You can customize any size or design to fit your position.