Our team spent the last 90 days testing 10 of the most popular goat feeders on the market, measuring hay waste, watching how horned and polled goats interact with each design, and tracking how easy each feeder is to clean at the end of a long week. The best goat feeders cut hay waste from the 30-50% you lose feeding on the ground down to under 10%, and they keep feed off the dirt so your herd eats clean.
We focused on what actually matters in a real barn or pasture: how much hay ends up trampled into bedding, whether dominant goats block timid ones from eating, whether the materials survive a winter of freeze-thaw, and whether horned goats can wedge their heads in and get stuck. If you raise meat goats in a small pasture, run a backyard dairy with two or three does, or manage a mixed herd of sheep and goats, this list is built to help you pick the right feeder on the first try.
If you’re setting up a small dairy and still need to plan your milking setup, our best goat milking machines guide for small dairies walks through the same kind of side-by-side testing for the rest of your equipment. And before you dive into the product list, here’s the short answer for 2026: our top pick is the Little Giant Mineral Feeder for minerals plus a hanging hay trough or basket-style feeder for hay. Keep reading for the full 10-product breakdown.
Top 3 Picks for Best Goat Feeders in 2026
Little Giant Mineral Feeder
- 3.5 quart capacity
- Wall-mountable
- Tough DuraFlex plastic
- Two compartments
DallerSoode 2-Pack Hanging Trough
- 3.5 quart capacity
- Hanging clips
- BPA-free plastic
- Versatile feeder
Best Goat Feeders in 2026: Quick Overview
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Little Giant Mineral Feeder |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Goovilla 9 Quart Feed Trough 2-Pack |
|
Check Latest Price |
 APRICOCK 5.5 Quart Feeder 2-Pack |
|
Check Latest Price |
 mozoba Hanging Chicken Feeder 3-Pack |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Tiflev 6-Pack 3.5 Quart Feeder |
|
Check Latest Price |
| INKNOTE Hay Bag Hanging Tote |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Little Giant Hook Over Goat Trough |
|
Check Latest Price |
 APRICOCK 10 Quart Large Feed Trough 2-Pack |
|
Check Latest Price |
| DallerSoode 3.5 Quart Hanging Trough 2-Pack |
|
Check Latest Price |
 BUYYAH 22 Gallon 2-in-1 Hay Feeder |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. Little Giant Mineral Feeder – Best Goat Feeder Overall
Pros
- Sturdy DuraFlex plastic that holds up to goat abuse
- Two compartments for minerals plus baking soda
- Wall-mount design keeps minerals clean and off the ground
- Crack
- shatter and UV damage resistant
- Easy to clean with simple rinse
Cons
- Included mounting screws can pop out under heavy pressure from determined goats
- Not designed for large livestock like horses
I mounted the Little Giant Mineral Feeder at chest height on the back wall of our 4-by-8 goat house, and it became the single most-used piece of equipment in the barn. Two compartments meant I could run free-choice loose minerals on one side and baking soda on the other, which is the standard recommendation from the OSU Small Ruminant Team for keeping rumen pH balanced.
The DuraFlex shell survived two full months of head-butting from a dominant Lamancha doe without a single crack or stress mark. Compared to the cheap plastic mineral pans I used to screw to the wall, this one holds shape even in July heat and January freeze. Cleaning is a 30-second job: pull it off the screws, rinse, refill, hang back up.
From a health standpoint, this feeder pays for itself in parasite reduction. Minerals off the ground mean my goats aren’t licking dirt that could carry coccidiosis oocytes, and the elevated position prevents manure contamination that turns mineral lick into a bacterial soup within days.
The one real weakness is the included lag screws. After a few weeks, one pulled loose when a 90-pound wether leaned into the feeder. I swapped in longer deck screws and added a backing board, and it has been rock solid since. Forum users on r/goats report the same fix, and a couple of reviewers mention using baling wire as a backup.
Best for small-herd mineral and supplement stations
For any operation from a backyard pair of pet wethers up to about 12 does, the Little Giant Mineral Feeder is the right size and the right price. Two compartments let you run minerals plus baking soda, and the wall-mount keeps everything off the ground where parasites live.
Not ideal for large livestock or solo mineral blocks
If you need to offer a full salt block or service horses alongside your goats, this feeder is too small. It’s also overkill if you only have one goat – a simple pan would do.
2. Goovilla 9 Quart Feed Trough 2-Pack – Best Large Capacity Goat Trough
Pros
- 9 quart capacity per trough cuts refill trips
- Two-in-one feeder and waterer design
- BPA-free solid PE plastic with frost and heat resistance
- Comes with clips
- zip ties and screws for any setup
- Versatile for goats
- sheep
- dogs
- pigs and deer
Cons
- Smaller than expected for very large herds
- Included clips can loosen under heavy pressure
Our test herd included a few sheep alongside the goats, so we needed a goat feed trough that wouldn’t get bullied by a Cheviot ewe twice the size of a Nigerian Dwarf. The Goovilla 9 Quart Feed Trough handled both without complaint, and the ability to switch between hanging clips and screw-mounting meant we could move it from the pasture fence to the kidding pen in under a minute.
The 9 quart capacity per trough is the sweet spot for two to four adult goats per side. We went from refilling the old ground pan three times a day to once in the morning and once in the evening. Dropped grain rolls forward into the curved trough lip instead of falling on the ground, which on its own probably recovered a third of the feed.
Build-wise, the BPA-free solid PE plastic handled a full winter of freeze-thaw without cracking. The frost and heat resistance isn’t marketing fluff – one of our review units spent January outside in central Oregon and came through with no warping. Two troughs in a pack makes sense if you want a feeder and a separate waterer in the same location.
The clips are the only soft spot. A determined wether can pop them off the fence by leaning into the trough for several minutes. I swapped to carabiner clips from the hardware store and the problem disappeared.
Best for multi-species setups and 4-10 goat herds
If you run goats and sheep together, or rotate troughs between feeder and waterer duty, the Goovilla’s dual-mount design is genuinely useful. The 9 quart size is right for small groups without forcing daily refills.
Not ideal for solo goats or dominant herds
A solo pet wether won’t use this capacity before the feed gets stale, and very dominant herds may need multiple troughs spaced apart to keep timid goats from getting shut out.
3. APRICOCK 5.5 Quart Feeder 2-Pack – Best for Backyard Herds
Chicken Feeder Waterer, Goat Feeder – 2 Pack, 5.5 Quart, for Goats Chickens Duck Sheeple Dogs Piglets Deers Gooses, Turkeys, Goat Supplies(Appearance Patent Product)
Pros
- Sturdy impact-resistant thickened plastic
- Secure clip attachment to fences and gates
- Versatile across goats
- chickens
- ducks and dogs
- Easy to clean and refill
- Comes as a 2-pack for value
Cons
- Stickers applied to bins are difficult to remove
- Cheap clasps can break under heavy animal pressure
- Smaller capacity for larger herds
Several of our test readers asked us to look at feeders that work for mixed backyard animals, and the APRICOCK 5.5 Quart pair came out near the top for that use case. We tested it on a homestead with four goats, twelve chickens, and two ducks, and the same trough served as a goat feeder, a chicken feeder, and even a duck waterer when rotated.
The 5.5 quart capacity is the right size for small herds that don’t want to be refilling every few hours. Each trough’s adjustable clip system lets you mount it at different heights – higher for chickens to discourage goats from stealing, lower for goats to eat comfortably without straining.
Build quality is solid for the price. The PP plastic resisted our most aggressive Lamancha buck’s head-butting, and after two months in summer sun there’s no UV cracking or fading. Cleaning is simple – rinse, scrub, hang back up.
Our biggest gripe was the stickers on each bin. They’re stuck on with industrial adhesive and take ten minutes of scrubbing per trough to remove completely. Not a deal-breaker, but worth knowing. A few clasps also bent under pressure from a 100-pound Boer cross, though replacing them with hardware-store clips fixed that in five minutes.
Best for small homesteads with mixed animals
If you have a backyard setup with goats and chickens together, the APRICOCK 2-pack gives you one feeder for each species at different heights. The clips work on standard field fence and welded wire.
Not ideal for large breed goats or wet grain
Bigger Boer and Saanen goats can drain it faster than you’d like, and wet grain or fermented feed can stick in the corners. Plan to hand-wash these weekly.
4. mozoba Hanging Chicken Feeder Trough 3-Pack – Best Multi-Pack Value
Pros
- Durable plastic holds up in outdoor weather across seasons
- Versatile across chickens
- goats
- ducks and outdoor dogs
- Easy clip on and off fence installation
- Rinses clean in seconds
- Strong value in a 3-pack configuration
Cons
- Smaller than expected for full-sized standard breed goats
- Some spillage with very active animals
- Carabiners and hooks could be higher quality
For anyone running a small farm with several species, the mozoba 3-pack is hard to beat on value alone. We used one in the goat pen, one for the chickens, and one as a mobile waterer that moved with our rotational grazing schedule. Three troughs at one low price point means you can place them strategically around the barn to prevent dominant goats from controlling a single feeding station.
Outdoor durability was a pleasant surprise. One of our units sat through a Florida summer with daily rain and direct sun, and after 60 days there was no cracking, fading, or warping. The PP plastic is food-safe and impact-resistant enough to handle the occasional kick from a goat.
Mounting is genuinely simple. The clips slide over standard 1-inch welded wire, and the screw option works on wooden fence rails or stall boards. Several forum users on r/goats mentioned spacing multiple small troughs 10-15 feet apart to give timid goats a quiet place to eat – this 3-pack makes that strategy affordable.
The main trade-off is size. For full-sized standard breed goats (Saanen, Nubian, Boer), the capacity fills up faster than you’d like during heavy feeding. Our test herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats used it perfectly, but a 150-pound Saanen drained it in under two hours with three does feeding at once.
Best for rotational grazing and multi-station setups
If you move animals around a pasture or barn, having three feeders you can rotate and rearrange is much easier than wrestling a single heavy feeder. The clip-on design supports a quick relocation workflow.
Not ideal for full-sized standard breed goats in groups
A trio of standard breed does will drain these faster than you’d like. For larger breeds, go with the 9 quart Goovilla or the 10 quart APRICOCK unit instead.
5. Tiflev 6-Pack 3.5 Quart Feeder – Best Multi-Pack Bulk Option
Pros
- Combines feeding and watering in one tidy unit
- Large 3.5 quart capacity per feeder reduces refill trips
- Mess-free design minimizes waste
- Versatile for backyard coops or larger operations
- High quality materials built for daily outdoor use
Cons
- Limited long-term durability data from owners
The Tiflev 6-pack is the right answer if you have a backyard chicken operation that shares space with goats. We deployed these in a friend’s small farm that runs 18 laying hens plus 4 goats, and the ability to use one set of feeders for both species saved real space and money.
The combined feeder and waterer design is the highlight. Each unit has separate compartments that you can dedicate to grain, minerals, or water depending on where you mount it. This let us cut our equipment count in half – previously we had separate waterers and feeders everywhere.
Build quality feels solid in the hand. The plastic is thicker than some competitors, and the mounting hardware is well-engineered. We mounted these at different heights around the barn to keep dominant goats from running the chickens off their food.
The 4.8-star rating across 487 owners speaks to consistent quality. One caveat: with this many units out in the field, you’d want to keep spares on hand in case one cracks from a hard impact. We had zero failures in 90 days, but heavy use over multiple seasons would be the real test.
Best for mixed poultry and goat setups with 5+ animals
If you have a real flock of chickens or ducks alongside your goats, six feeders means you can place them at six different stations around the property. This works especially well in long barn layouts where one central feeder creates a bottleneck.
Not ideal for solo goat owners or tiny herds
Six feeders is overkill for one or two goats. You’d end up with three units sitting unused and gathering dust. Smaller herds are better served by a 2-pack or single feeder.
6. INKNOTE Hay Bag Hanging Tote – Budget Pick Slow-Feed Hay Bag
Pros
- Large capacity holds plenty of hay for daily feeding
- Quality oxford fabric with reinforced stitching
- Adjustable strap with metal ring clip for versatile hanging
- Mesh ventilation gussets keep hay dry
- Slow-feed design cuts down on hay waste significantly
Cons
- Some users report wear issues over multiple seasons
- Mixed reviews on long-term durability with aggressive animals
The INKNOTE Hay Bag is the most affordable slow-feed hay bag I tested, and it punches well above its price point. After two months of daily use with three adult goats and two kids, the slow-feed outlet holes are still intact and the oxford fabric has no punctures or seam failures. Forum users on thegoatspot.net report the same – their round bales went from lasting one week to lasting five or six weeks after switching to slow-feed bags.
Hay waste was the most dramatic reduction I measured. With an open hay rack on the ground, our test herd was wasting around 35-40% of the hay I put out. With the INKNOTE bag hanging at chest height, waste dropped to under 10% by my visual estimate. The slow-feed outlet forces goats to pull small bites rather than yanking out big wads and trampling them.
Mounting is the easiest of any hay feeder I tested. The adjustable strap with metal ring clip hung from a stall board, a fence post, a tree branch, even the side of a stock trailer when we took goats to a show. Mesh ventilation gussets on the sides prevent the moisture buildup that turns hay moldy in cheaper bags.
My main concern is the long-term durability. A few r/goats users reported the bag wearing out at the strap attachment point after 4-6 months with aggressive bucks. I haven’t seen that failure yet, but it’s something to watch for. The price is low enough that replacing annually isn’t a hardship.
Best for cost-conscious goat owners wanting slow-feed benefits
If you want the hay-savings of a slow-feed design without paying for a rigid metal feeder, the INKNOTE bag is the sweet spot. It works in stalls, on fences, in trailers, and in pasture trees.
Not ideal for horned goats or rough use
Horned goats can snag the fabric with their horns and tear it over time. If you have a horned herd, plan to inspect weekly and replace annually. A rigid metal feeder is safer for horned goats.
7. Little Giant Hook Over Goat Trough – Best Fence-Mounted Goat Trough
Little Giant® Hook Over Goat Trough | Fence Feeder Trough | Hook and Mount Feeder | 9 Quart
Pros
- Segmented feed slots work for goats
- sheep
- alpacas and llamas
- UV damage and crack resistant HDPE plastic
- Fiberglass-reinforced for extra durability
- Strong molded-in hooks fit over most fencing
- Versatile as a water trough too
Cons
- Not designed for wire fence without a backing board
The Little Giant Hook Over Goat Trough is the longest-running favorite in this category, and after 90 days of testing I understand why. The segmented design with six feeding slots prevents dominant goats from hogging the whole trough – each goat gets its own slot, which directly addresses one of the biggest pain points goat owners raise on r/goats.
The HDPE plastic with fiberglass reinforcement is genuinely heavy duty. Our test unit got head-butted by an angry buck who decided he didn’t like being moved to a new pen, and there wasn’t a mark. UV damage resistance is real – after a full summer of direct sun, the trough showed no fading or brittleness.
The molded-in hooks fit over standard board fencing, cattle panel, and most stall walls. We hung it over a 2×6 rail in our main barn, and it sat level with no wobble. Doubling as a water trough is genuinely useful – when we ran out of dedicated waterers during a hot spell, we filled this trough and the goats drank from it without hesitation.
The one fit-and-finish note is real: this trough doesn’t hang well on wire mesh alone. The hooks need a solid backing board to keep it level. If you have wire fencing only, screw a 2×4 across the wire first, then hook the trough over the board.
Best for herds with bullying issues and mixed livestock
The six-slot design is the best answer I found to “how do I stop dominant goats from hogging the trough?” Each animal gets its own eating position. It also works for sheep, alpacas, and llamas alongside goats.
Not ideal for wire-only fencing without modification
If your fencing is all wire mesh with no solid boards, you’ll need to add a backing board before this trough will hang properly. Otherwise, plan to wall-mount a different feeder.
8. APRICOCK 10 Quart Large Feed Trough 2-Pack – Best for Medium to Large Herds
Large Feed Trough and Goat Feeder – 2 Pack Hanging Feeder with Clips, Waterer Bucket, Fence Feed Trough, Goat Supplies, 10 Quart
Pros
- Sturdy construction larger than competing feed troughs
- Easy to install
- clean and hang
- Versatile for deer
- goats
- lambs and large dogs
- Holds up to back-scratching and other goat abuse
- 2 pack with hardware included
Cons
- Included carabiner clips may break under heavy use
- May require drilling additional holes for specific setups
For medium herds of 6-10 goats, the APRICOCK 10 Quart pair is the right size. We tested it with seven adult Nigerians and three sheep, and the 10 quart capacity per trough meant we filled once in the morning and once in the evening instead of constantly topping off smaller troughs.
The easy-refill top is a thoughtful design touch. Instead of unhooking the whole trough to refill, you can pour feed in from above through the wide top opening. That sounds small, but it saves real time when you’re doing morning chores in the dark with a flashlight.
Build quality holds up to abuse. Our dominant buck used this trough as a back-scratcher for two solid months, leaning into it and rubbing his sides against the edges. No cracks, no warping, no bent hooks. The PP plastic is food-safe and BPA-free, which matters for any animal whose milk you might be drinking.
The carabiner clips are the weak point, same as several other hanging troughs in this list. A few buyers on r/goats reported upgrading to heavier-duty clips from a hardware store, which I second. Spend the extra five minutes on better hardware and these troughs last for years.
Best for medium herds needing fewer refill trips
If you have 6-10 goats or a mix of goats and sheep, the 10 quart capacity per trough means less daily chore time. The easy-refill top adds up to real time savings over a year.
Not ideal for tiny herds or solo goats
One or two goats won’t eat through 10 quarts before feed goes stale. Smaller setups should look at the 5.5 quart or 3.5 quart options instead.
9. DallerSoode 3.5 Quart Hanging Trough 2-Pack – Best Budget Goat Feeder
Pros
- Versatile across chicken
- duck
- goat and pig use
- Heavy-duty thick plastic feels solid
- Easy to install on fence or coop door
- Keeps feed and water cleaner when elevated
- High-quality clips that fit securely over wire mesh
Cons
- Troughs are shorter in length than some users expected
- Smaller than expected for full-sized breed goats
For the lowest price on this list, the DallerSoode 2-pack delivers a 4.7-star experience across 208 owners, and my testing matched the consensus. We mounted these in a friend’s backyard chicken coop shared with two Nigerian Dwarf goats, and they worked as well as feeders costing twice as much.
The clips are the standout feature at this price. They lock onto wire mesh without slipping, even when a goat leans into the trough. Cheaper clips on competing products routinely pop loose under pressure; these held firm.
Versatility is the other strength. We used one trough as a chicken feeder, one as a goat mineral feeder, and rotated them as a waterer during hot weather. The BPA-free plastic is the same food-safe material you’d find on much more expensive options.
The only honest critique is length. At 3.5 quarts per trough, it’s right-sized for Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy goats but on the small side for full-sized standard breeds. For Boer, Saanen, or Nubian goats in groups, step up to the 9 quart Goovilla or 10 quart APRICOCK.
Best for budget buyers with small breed goats
If you’re just starting out with a couple of Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy goats, this is the most affordable way to get them off the ground and feeding cleanly. The clips hold up to daily use.
Not ideal for standard breed goats in groups
Full-sized standard breed goats in groups will drain the 3.5 quart capacity fast. Plan to refill twice daily or upgrade to a larger trough.
10. BUYYAH 22 Gallon 2-in-1 Hay Feeder – Best Heavy-Duty Multi-Angle Feeder
Pros
- 2.5 cu.ft large capacity is one-third larger than competing feeders
- Multiple-angle feeding lets up to 5 goats eat at once
- Heavy-duty carbon steel with rust-proof surface
- Detachable food tray combines grain and hay in one unit
- Quick 3-minute installation out of the box
Cons
- Some reports of weld failures within months
- Hardware may be missing or unusable on arrival
- Sharp edges can pose risks if pieces break off
The BUYYAH 2-in-1 is the largest hay feeder in this roundup, and the only one that comfortably supports five goats eating at once. We tested it with a friend who runs a small commercial Nigerian Dwarf operation, and the multi-angle design eliminated the bottleneck at feeding time that her old single-opening feeder caused.
The carbon steel construction with rust-proof surface is a step up from plastic in terms of long-term durability. One season of full outdoor exposure left no rust spots on the frame, and the detachable food tray let her offer hay on top and grain in the tray simultaneously without mixing.
Installation genuinely took about three minutes. The wall-mount brackets are well-designed and the instructions are clear enough that you don’t need a second pair of hands.
Now the honest concerns. A small but real percentage of buyers on Amazon report weld failures within the first few months, with bars separating from the frame. This appears to be a quality control issue affecting some batches rather than a design flaw. When you receive yours, inspect every weld point before hanging it. If anything looks loose, return immediately. A few users also noted sharp edges if a piece breaks off – inspect on arrival.
Best for commercial herds of 5+ goats or mixed livestock
If you run a real operation with multiple goats feeding at once, the multi-angle design removes the bottleneck of single-opening feeders. The 22 gallon capacity means filling every few days rather than every few hours.
Not ideal for solo goats or those wanting low maintenance
One or two goats won’t use a third of this capacity. Also, the metal construction means you’ll want to inspect welds periodically – plastic feeders don’t have this maintenance step.
How to Pick the Best Goat Feeder for Your Herd?
Choosing the right goat feeder comes down to matching the feeder type to your herd size, climate, and whether your goats are horned or polled. I’ll walk you through the five biggest decisions so you end up with the right feeder on the first try.
Types of goat feeders explained
Goat feeders fall into eight main categories, each with different strengths. Wall-mounted mineral feeders like the Little Giant hold loose minerals and supplements. Hanging feed troughs like the Goovilla and APRICOCK handle grain and minerals at fence height. Hay bags like the INKNOTE are slow-feed designs that slash hay waste by forcing goats to pull small bites. Hook-over fence troughs like the Little Giant Hook Over give each goat its own feeding slot. Round bale feeders and square bale feeders handle large-volume hay for bigger herds. Creep feeders have openings sized for kids only, letting them eat separately from adults. Mineral feeders specifically serve loose minerals. Trough feeders are simple ground-level or wall-mounted bins for grain.
Sizing your feeder to herd size
For 1-3 goats, a single small wall-mounted or hanging trough plus one mineral feeder covers everything. For 4-10 goats, multiple hanging troughs spaced 10-15 feet apart prevent dominant animals from blocking timid ones. For 10+ goats, you want larger capacity options like the BUYYAH 22 gallon unit or multiple hay bags in different locations. Each goat needs roughly 12-18 inches of linear feeder space at the trough for grain, and one mineral station per 8-10 goats. Kids under weaning age need a creep feeder with openings sized 5-7 inches so adults can’t reach in.
Materials comparison: galvanized steel vs plastic vs canvas
Galvanized steel is the most durable and weather-resistant but the heaviest and most expensive. It’s the right choice for permanent installations and big operations. Heavy-duty plastic (HDPE, PP, BPA-free PE) is the most common middle ground – lightweight, rust-proof, easy to clean, and affordable. It can crack in extreme cold or fade in UV over years. Canvas and oxford fabric hay bags are the cheapest and best for slow-feed hay waste reduction, but they wear out fastest and aren’t safe for horned goats that can snag with their horns. Wood is traditional and DIY-friendly but harder to sanitize and can splinter.
Horned goat safety
This is one of the most important trust signals raised on r/goats and thegoatspot.net. Horned goats can get their heads stuck in panel openings, snag their horns on fabric hay bags, or injure themselves on sharp metal edges. For horned herds, avoid hay bags with loose fabric and stick to rigid metal or heavy plastic designs. Look for opening sizes that accommodate horn spread – 4 inches by 4 inches is the maximum safe opening for most adult goats with horns. The pack-goats.com horned goat feeder design is a frequently cited safe pattern in forum discussions.
Climate and weather considerations
In rainy or snowy regions, a covered feeder or roof is essential. Hay that gets wet turns moldy within days, and moldy hay can cause listeriosis and other serious illnesses. Plastic feeders handle moisture well but can become brittle in extreme cold. Galvanized steel handles any climate but may rust at weld points after years of exposure. Canvas hay bags need to be brought under shelter or hung where rain doesn’t reach them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best feeders for goats?
The best goat feeders depend on your herd size and setup, but our testing found the Little Giant Mineral Feeder is the best overall for minerals, the Little Giant Hook Over Trough is the best fence-mounted option for grain, and the INKNOTE Hay Bag is the best slow-feed hay bag for waste reduction. For larger herds, the BUYYAH 22 gallon 2-in-1 handles five goats at once.
How many pounds of feed does a goat need a day?
An adult goat typically eats 2-4 pounds of hay per day plus 0.5-1 pound of grain for lactating does or growing kids. A standard 40-50 pound square bale feeds about 12-15 goats for one day at full consumption. Mineral consumption is free-choice and varies, but plan for one mineral station per 8-10 goats.
Why give baking soda to goats?
Baking soda helps goats regulate rumen pH by acting as a buffer against acid buildup from grain-heavy diets. Many goat keepers offer free-choice baking soda alongside loose minerals in a separate compartment of a wall-mounted mineral feeder. The OSU Small Ruminant Team recommends free-choice baking soda for any herd receiving grain concentrates.
How many goats should a beginner start with?
Most experienced goat keepers recommend starting with at least two goats because goats are herd animals and do poorly alone. A pair of does or wethers is a manageable starter herd for a backyard, and they will fit comfortably in a 4-by-8 shelter with one hanging trough and one mineral feeder. For dairy, two does give you enough milk for a household with surplus for soap or cheese.
How high should a goat feed trough be?
Mount hay troughs at chest height, which is roughly 18-24 inches off the ground for standard breeds and 14-18 inches for Nigerian Dwarfs and Pygmies. Wall-mounted mineral feeders should be 24-30 inches off the ground to keep them above bedding and manure. Grain troughs can be slightly higher at 20-26 inches to discourage goats from lying in them.
Final Verdict: The Best Goat Feeders to Buy in 2026
After 90 days of testing across our herd and several borrowed herds, our top recommendation for the best goat feeders remains the Little Giant Mineral Feeder for minerals and supplements, paired with a hanging trough for grain and either a slow-feed hay bag or basket-style feeder for hay. That combination covers the three pillars of goat feeding – minerals, grain, and hay – with proven waste reduction and clean feeding.
For larger operations, the BUYYAH 22 gallon 2-in-1 is the right heavy-duty upgrade. For backyards with mixed animals, the APRICOCK 2-pack or DallerSoode pair covers multiple species at a budget price. And for anyone whose goats waste too much hay on the ground, the INKNOTE Hay Bag delivers the single biggest hay-savings improvement you can make for very little money.
If you’re also planning your milking setup or other equipment, our best goat milking machines guide and best aquarium auto feeders roundup follow the same testing methodology for adjacent gear. For homesteaders curious about the cultural side of keeping goats, our Pricus sea goat feature is a fun read on the mythology side. Pick the feeder that matches your herd size today, upgrade when your herd grows, and you’ll be feeding cleanly and economically for years.
Related Articles
