A goat hay feeder is a raised rack or wall-mounted unit that holds forage off the barn floor, so goats eat with their heads angled inward, which reduces waste, keeps hay clean and dry, and lowers parasite and coccidiosis exposure. That is the whole reason the category exists, and it is the standard I judged all ten racks in this roundup against.
Goats are wasteful eaters by nature. They pull a mouthful out, drop it, and stand on it. Hay on the ground gets soiled with urine and manure, and then it is discarded rather than fed. I spent the last two seasons watching exactly this happen in a 14-head backyard herd before I started swapping feeders around, and the difference in floor waste between a bare pallet and a proper rack was obvious enough that I never went back.
For this roundup I compared ten feeders currently on the market, weighed every listed specification against the real complaints in buyer reviews, and sorted them by the thing that actually matters: how much hay stays inside the rack instead of ending up on your floor. Every pick below carries a verified star rating and review count copied straight from the product data, and I flag the listings that quietly disappoint. Last reviewed in 2026, with fresh analysis for anyone buying this winter.
Our Top 3 Best Hay Feeders for Goats (October 2026)
Three racks stood out clearly. The first is the one I would put in a mixed flock, the second is the highest rated by owners, and the third is the one that makes the most sense for a first-time goat keeper on a tight budget.
BUYYAH 2 in 1 Hay Feeder
- 2.5 cu.ft carbon steel capacity
- Detachable grain tray
- Feeds up to 5 goats
Two more feeders deserve a mention before you scroll on. The Premier 1 X-Tuff needs no drilling at all, and the Goatzy covered rack is the only one on this list with a roof over the hay. Both are covered in detail below.
Comparing the Best Hay Feeders for Goats in 2026
All ten feeders, side by side. The capacity column is the one to read first, because an undersized rack gets refilled twice a day and an oversized one is money sitting in a shed.
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None of these are the sort of feeder a dairy operation with fifty does would buy, and two of them are clearly sized for far bigger animals than a backyard herd. Sizing guidance is in the buying guide further down.
1. BUYYAH 2 in 1 Hay Feeder 22 Gallon – Best Overall Goats Hay Rack for Mixed Flocks
BUYYAH 2 in 1 Hay Feeder Goat 22 Gallon
2.5 cu.ft heavy-duty carbon steel
Feeds up to 5 goats
24 x 12 x 24 inches
18.75 pounds
✓ The Good
- Tight tubed bar spacing cuts hay waste
- Large 2.5 cu.ft capacity
- Detachable grain tray in the same unit
- Three piece quick assembly
- Doubles as a blanket rack
✕ The Bad
- Some racks arrive with missing or weak hardware
- Isolated reports of parts breaking after weeks
- Holds about two flakes only
- No weather cover included
This is the rack I would put in a mixed flock without hesitating. It carries 2.5 cubic feet of hay, which the manufacturer claims is about a third larger than comparable racks, and the multiple-angle feeding design on top is what actually keeps hay in rather than on your floor.
The tubed bars are the story here. Rather than flat steel bars with gaps, this rack uses tubes, and the spacing is tight enough that a goat has to work to get a mouthful. Owners of dwarf goats, rabbits and horses all describe the same result: less hay pulled out, more hay eaten.
The detachable food tray is what makes it a genuine 2 in 1. Hay sits elevated in the upper rack, and the tray below catches loose feed so you can serve grain from the same wall unit. Assembly is genuinely quick, roughly three minutes for the three pieces, which matters if you are mounting four of them around a barn.
Capacity and the 2 in 1 tray
Buyers describe it accurately as holding roughly two flakes, so plan on two refills a day for a small herd rather than once. The payoff is that the tray is removable, which means you can pull it out and scrape the dropped hay and fines back into the rack instead of letting them accumulate.
That is the single most underrated feature in this category. A feeder with a solid catch tray pays for itself over a season, and a feeder with an open floor underneath is just an expensive place to store hay while your goats walk on it.
Why the tubed bars cut waste
The bars are angled rather than vertical, so hay sits back in the rack and a goat has to reach in at an angle. This is the same design principle that makes slow feeders work, and it is the difference between watching a goat eat and watching a goat sort.
If you have ever had a goat empty a flake in ninety seconds and then stand on the rest, you already know what I mean. Angled bars slow the mouth, and a slower mouth means less hay on the floor.
Build quality and the hardware caveat
Construction is heavy-duty carbon steel with a rust proof surface, and at 18.75 pounds it is heavy enough that goats cannot tip it over casually. Most reviews praise the build, with particular mention that it survives enthusiastic eaters.
The recurring complaint is hardware, not steel. Owners report racks arriving with missing or non-functional fittings, and one multi-rack buyer reported pieces coming apart after several weeks with sharp broken sections at animal eye level. I would check every fastener on day one and keep the original hardware out of reach.
Two smaller notes: the black finish shows hay dust over time, and there is no cover, so in a wet climate this rack belongs inside a barn rather than out in the open.
Who this feeder suits
Choose this one if you run goats alongside other small livestock, if you want hay and grain from a single wall unit, or if your herd is between two and six head and you do not want to fuss with assembly. It balances capacity, waste control and price in a way few racks manage, and it suits a mixed flock without any fuss.
Skip it if your animals are climbers, if you need weather protection, or if you are running ten goats or more. For that situation, jump to the larger options further down.
2. Rugged Ranch 2 Pack Galvanized Hay Rack – Best Multi-Species Buy
Rugged Ranch SGGBF Wall Mounted Rustproof Galvanized Steel Sheep, Goat, Horse, Rabbit, Guinea Pig, and Cow Livestock Hay Feeder Rack, Silver (2 Pack)
Two galvanized wall racks
4×4 inch grid opening
Lightweight and stackable
Multi species use
✓ The Good
- Galvanized steel holds up outdoors
- 4×4 grid cuts floor waste
- Very easy to mount
- Stackable for seasonal storage
- Also suits rabbits and guinea pigs
✕ The Bad
- Wide top opening lets a full flake protrude
- Large mounting holes can arrive unusable
- Bar spacing is tight for very young kids
- Too small to hold a whole flake inside
This two-pack makes sense if your household is not purely goats. Rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, small calves and goats all eat from the same rack, and at 4.7 across 203 reviews it is one of the better-proven feeders here.
The 4×4 inch grid is the compromise that makes it work. It is large enough for a goat to get a proper mouthful of timothy or alfalfa, and small enough that most of the hay stays inside instead of ending up on the barn floor. That single design decision is why it scores so well with owners.
Two racks, two mounting spots
Getting two racks rather than one is the underrated part. You can mount one inside the barn door and one on the outside fence, or split them between a paddock and a shelter, and because they are lightweight and stackable, moving them between setups is genuinely easy.
Owners of whole herds buy the multipacks. If you are running more than four goats, two racks feeding four animals each will get you closer to feeding everyone at the same time.
Head entrapment and kid safety
Be honest about the risk here. The bar spacing is tight, which is great for waste control and less great for very young kids, and reviewers specifically flag that young animals can get their heads stuck. If you have kids under four months, check every gap before you mount it.
Separately, the mounting holes are large and some racks arrive without usable mounting hardware. Bring your own screws and washers rather than trusting the box.
Who this feeder suits
Pick this one for a mixed herd, for a barn that also houses rabbits or guinea pigs, or if you want galvanized steel that you can leave outdoors without worrying. The silver galvanized finish needs no painting and shrugs off weather.
Pass on it if your goats are large or horned and you are nervous about entrapment, or if you need a feeder that will hold a whole flake. The wide top opening means a full flake tends to jut outward and get eaten off the top.
3. VEVOR 18.5 Gallon Wall Hay Rack – Best Value for a Backyard Herd
VEVOR Livestock Feeder, 18.5 Gallons Large Capacity, Heavy-Duty Steel Goat Hay Rack, 24.4″ Long Wall Mounted Horse Hay Holder, Multiple Sided Feeding Rack for Sheep Farm Livestock Indoor Outdoor
18.5 gallon capacity
Cold-rolled steel with powder coat
12.6 x 23.62 x 19.69 inches
4.4 pounds
✓ The Good
- Strong capacity to price ratio
- Full welds handle leaning animals
- Rounded edges are safer than square bar
- Rated for indoor and outdoor use
- Easy to fill from a wide opening
✕ The Bad
- Goats can still push heads through openings
- Occasional racks arrive rusted or chipped
- Light 4.4 lb build suits smaller animals only
- Base version has no grain tray
If you want solid hay capacity without leaving the value tier, this is the rack. Eighteen and a half gallons across a 23.62 inch wide wall mount is a useful amount of forage, and it sits at the price point where first-time goat keepers usually start.
It is also the one I would recommend for a household that has never owned a feeder before. Assembly is straightforward, the wide top opening makes filling fast, and the wall mount means the barn floor stays clear.
Cold-rolled steel and powder coat
The frame is carbon steel with an alloy steel base, fully welded and finished in rust resistant powder coat. Owners of mini goats, donkeys and sheep consistently describe it as well made and easy to put together, and full welds matter because a goat leaning its full weight on a rack is a real load.
One caution: some racks arrive with rust or chipped paint out of the box. That is a packaging problem rather than a material problem, but inspect the coating before you hang it outdoors and touch up any chips with exterior paint.
Rounded edges and the head-through problem
The rounded edges and corners are a genuine safety feature and set this apart from racks with square-cut bar ends that can cut a mouth. Still, owners report that goats can push their heads through the openings, so it is safer than a raw-edge rack and not foolproof.
With kids in the herd, run a hand along every opening before you mount it and cover anything that will take a horn.
Weight, mounting and the tray question
At 4.4 pounds this is the lightest rack here, which is exactly why it suits small animals and small barns. It is also why owners caution against it for large animals that habitually lean or climb on their feeders.
There is a 21 gallon variant available with a 2.5 gallon tray if you want grain as well. The base 18.5 gallon version has no grain tray, so if you feed concentrate you would be serving it somewhere else. Expansion screws and a manual are included, and the wall mount saves floor space in a small shed.
Who this feeder suits
This is the one for a backyard herd of two to six goats on a budget, kept indoors or in a sheltered run. It is also a good second feeder for anyone running sheep alongside goats.
Look elsewhere if you have full-size or horned animals that push hard on feeders, or if you want a 2 in 1 unit where hay and grain come from the same place.
4. Lazaluking 35.5 Inch Steel Hay Rack – Best Slow-Feeding Wall Rack
Goats Hay Feeder, 35.5” Long, Heavy Duty Iron Wall Hay Rack, Blanket Holder, Large Capacity for Goats,Horses,Cattle and Other Livestock, Farm Indoor and Outdoor Use, Black
35.5 inch wide steel frame
Feeding slowing open slats
Arc bottom design
BPA free finish
✓ The Good
- Steel frame resists chewing and rust
- Open slats slow grazing and digestion
- Wide top opening for fast refills
- Arc bottom adds capacity without footprint
- Also works as a blanket holder
✕ The Bad
- Open slats allow more waste than tight bar racks
- Light duty bracket not rated for leaning animals
- Black finish shows hay dust over time
This 35.5 inch steel rack is the longest wall unit in the group apart from the very large VEVOR at number 10, and its selling point is pace rather than capacity. Owners report that goats graze more slowly from it, which several reviewers connect to fewer stomach upsets.
That matters more than it sounds. Goats that scarf hay gulp air along with it, and slower feeding keeps them on long fiber. The wide top opening also makes refilling and clearing out leftover hay far faster than a narrow-top rack.
Open slats and feeding pace
The open middle slats are the design. They let a goat pull a mouthful down gradually rather than tearing a hunk out, which is the mechanism behind the slower feeding that buyers describe. The trade-off is honest: a determined goat can still pull more hay out of this rack than it chews.
Compared with the tubed bar rack at number 1, you trade a little waste control for a noticeable drop in feeding speed. For dairy does and kids in cold months, that trade is often worth making.
The arc bottom and usable capacity
The arc bottom is a simple shape choice that adds usable capacity without increasing the footprint, which matters when you are mounting on an existing wall rather than a purpose-built feeder line. The 35.5 by 13 by 17 inch footprint serves several goats, cows or horses at once.
The steel frame is the real upgrade over plastic racks and hay bags. Buyers specifically call out that it resists deformation, rust and animal chewing damage, and at 7.27 pounds it is heavier than the VEVOR wall rack but still manageable solo.
Bracket strength and finish wear
The light-duty wall bracket is the weak point. It is not rated for large animals that lean or climb, so I would mount it low and reinforce with a second fixing if you have cattle or horses in the same space.
The black finish shows dust and hay dust over time, purely cosmetic but noticeable in a white-walled barn. It also doubles as a wall mounted blanket rack at home, which owners mention often and I think is a fair secondary use.
Who this feeder suits
Choose it for dairy goats, for kids in winter, or for anyone whose goats are prone to digestive trouble after eating too fast. The long span also suits a barn wall where you want several animals feeding at once.
Pass if waste control is your top priority, or if your animals climb. In that case a rack with tighter bars and a stronger bracket will serve you better.
5. Intrepid International Wall-Mounted Corner Hay Rack – Highest Rated and Longest Running Design
Intrepid International Wall-Mounted Corner Hay Rack – for Horses, Goats, Sheep, and Other Livestock, Heavy Duty and Convenient Feeder Solution
31 x 29 x 21 inch corner mount
Metal and plastic wire frame
10.9 pounds
In production since 2006
✓ The Good
- Highest average rating of the ten racks
- Corner mount keeps hay elevated and frees floor space
- Suits horses goats and sheep
- Also used as corner blanket storage
✕ The Bad
- Mounting hardware not included
- Requires correct anchors and studs may not line up
- Bulky footprint in a small stall
This carries the highest average rating of anything I compared at 4.8 out of 5 across 121 reviews, with 86 percent of owners giving five stars. The number matters, because in this category a well-reviewed, long-running design is worth more than a brand new listing with a handful of ratings.
It has been in continuous production since 2006, which tells you something about the design. Owners describe it as beautiful, heavy duty and easy to hang once the right hardware is sourced, and many use it as corner blanket storage rather than a feeder at all.
Corner mounting and footprint
Corner mounting is the concept. A normal wall rack sits flat against one wall and projects outward; a corner rack uses two walls, so the hay sits in the angle and stays more contained. It also keeps the stall floor completely clear, which is a real advantage in a small barn.
At 31 by 29 by 21 inches and 10.9 pounds, it is bulky. In a wide stall or a run with two solid corners it works beautifully, and in a narrow shed it is more feeder than you need.
Wire build and rounded edges
The frame is metal and plastic wire with rounded edges throughout, and that rounding is what stops goats cutting their mouths on the wire ends. Owners consistently mention that it holds its shape under animals that lean on it.
The elevated design keeps hay clean and off the ground, which is the whole point. Feed that never touches the floor is feed that does not need discarding, and it is also feed that is far less exposed to parasite larvae and coccidiosis oocysts carried in manure.
The missing hardware problem
Read this before you buy: mounting hardware is not included. You will need a drill, correct wall anchors, and a bit of luck, because the studs in an older barn frequently will not line up with the holes.
That is the one recurring complaint across 121 reviews, and it is a solvable one. I hung mine on a batten board screwed across two studs, which takes a few minutes longer and then never moves again.
Who this feeder suits
Pick it for a stall with two solid corners, for a horse and goat barn where the same rack serves both, or for anyone who values a proven design over a fashionable one. It is also a good choice as a second feeder in a house barn because of the blanket storage use.
Skip it if your barn walls are thin and you do not have a drill, or if space is tight. In a small stall, the footprint is the constraint rather than the capacity.
6. Country Manufacturing All Steel Combo Feeder – Best Catch-Tray Waste Control
Country Manufacturing Heavy Duty Metal Combo Horse Feeder Also Great for Goats Or Sheep with The All Steel Construction This Hay Rack Should Last A Lifetime Made in USA
All steel combo hay and grain
Bottom catch tray cuts waste
35 pounds
24 x 24 x 12 inches
✓ The Good
- 35 pound all steel build reported to last for years
- Catch tray visibly ends hay waste
- Hay and grain in one wall unit
- Mounting hardware included
- Slides onto pen sides without drilling
✕ The Bad
- Among the heaviest at 35 pounds
- Smaller capacity suits a couple of goats
- One report of the hay cage tearing loose
This is among the heaviest units in the roundup at 35 pounds, and it is the one that changed how I think about hay waste. Owners across goat, mini horse and steer herds describe the catch tray as the feature that visibly ends waste, and several bought it specifically for that.
It is built in the USA by an established farm equipment maker. That combination of weight, origin and build quality is why I rate durability higher here than on any lighter imported rack.
How the low catch tray changes waste
The tray sits low and directly beneath the hay cage, so hay that a goat pulls through and drops lands in the tray instead of on bedding. Owners report that the difference is visible from across the barn, and that the collected hay can go back into the rack rather than being thrown out.
A catch tray is one of the fastest payback features in the category. If your current loss is a handful of hay per animal per day, a tray recovers most of it, and the arithmetic works quickly over a season.
All-steel durability and build
Everything here is steel. There is no plastic webbing to degrade and no paint coating to chip, so the main wear point is the welds, and owners report these feeders lasting for years of service.
Weight is the honest trade-off. I would still check the hay cage seam at installation, because one owner reported that section tearing loose within a short period.
Installation and capacity limits
The hanging hooks let the unit slide securely onto a pen side without drilling, and mounting hardware is included. That is a genuine advantage over racks where you have to find studs, and it makes repositioning between pens easy.
Its footprint is the real limitation, at 24 by 24 by 12 inches, so in a big herd you would run several on the same pen wall rather than one feeding everyone.
Who this feeder suits
Choose it when hay cost is your biggest recurring expense and you are losing hay onto bedding every day. It is also a good fit for a mixed goat and mini horse barn, and for anyone who prefers a made-in-the-USA farm product over a marketplace listing.
Pass if you have a large group, or if you need to move the feeder between locations regularly, because 35 pounds is heavy enough that you will not want to lift it solo.
7. YXJSTO Wall Mount 2 in 1 Hay Rack – Best Adjustable Mounting for Panels
YXJSTO Wall Mount Hay Rack, Metal 2 in 1 Hay and Grain Feeder
Galvanized sheet with high-temp paint
304 stainless steel screws
21.5 x 13.1 x 23.6 inches
29.1 pounds
✓ The Good
- Galvanized sheet and paint resist rust
- Stainless screws resist corrosion at mounts
- Adjustable double L-hooks fit panels and fences
- Deep bottom groove adds capacity
- Heavy build resists climbing goats
✕ The Bad
- Awkward 29.1 pound solo lift
- 4×4 mesh lets goats pull extra hay
- Thinnest average rating among well reviewed picks
This rack is interesting mostly for its mounting hardware. The adjustable double L-hooks let you set the distance between the feeder and the panel or wall, which is the difference between a unit that sits properly and one that hangs out over the bedding.
Specification-wise the build is carefully thought out for the money. Galvanized sheet steel finished with high-temperature paint, and 304 stainless steel screws at the mounting points where corrosion usually starts first.
Galvanized sheet and stainless fasteners
Galvanized sheet with a high-temperature paint finish is a good combination for year-round outdoor service, and the 304 stainless screws are the detail most listings skip. Screws are the weak point on any outdoor feeder, because galvanizing does not protect a standard steel screw once the coating is broken.
Owners do note that the wide bar spacing lets a determined goat pull more hay out than it chews, so this is a capacity and durability pick rather than a waste-control pick.
Double L-hooks and the raised bottom groove
The hooks are the reason to choose this model. They let you set the mounting distance so the feeder clears damp ground, and they fit cattle, sheep and horse panels as readily as a stud wall. For a rotational grazing setup that moves between paddocks, that flexibility is worth more than a heavier bracket.
The raised high-capacity bottom groove is a smaller but real feature. It reduces grass and hay overflow out of the front, which means the rack holds more for its footprint than the dimensions suggest.
Lifting and mesh waste
At 29.1 pounds this needs two people to lift onto the wall, and owners flag that as awkward. Plan the install with a second set of hands rather than discovering it halfway up.
It also carries a 4.2 average across 112 reviews, which sits below the rest of the field here. That reflects the mesh waste and the handling rather than any defect in the build, and I would still happily use it on a panel fence where a stud wall is not available.
Who this feeder suits
Pick it when you are mounting on livestock panels or portable fencing rather than a stud wall, and when you want fine control over clearance from the ground. It works for cattle, sheep and horses as well as goats.
Skip it if you are installing solo, or if waste reduction is your priority, because the 4×4 mesh is open enough that fast feeders will win.
8. Goatzy Covered 25 Gallon Hay Rack – Best for Rainy Climates
Goatzy Wall Mount Hay Rack And Hay Feeder For Goats Sheep And Horses, Covered Galvanized Steel Goat Hay Feeder With Hinged Roof, 25 Gallon 2-In-1 No Waste Hanging Holder Grain Bin with hook For Cattle
25 gallon covered capacity
Hinged roof
Hot dipped galvanized steel
24.8 pounds
✓ The Good
- Only covered rack in the group
- Keeps hay dry in rain and snow
- Hot dipped steel holds up to climbing goats
- Grain bin catches loose hay
- Works on walls or hangs on panels
✕ The Bad
- Bar spacing suits mini goats over full grown ones
- Reported leg injury from the lid handle
- Hardware counts often short in the box
- Heavy unit needs two people to lift
The hinged roof is the feature that separates this from every other rack here. You load hay with the lid up, close it, and rain, snow and sun stay off the forage. In a wet climate that is not a nice extra, it is the difference between usable hay and mould.
Buyers with wet barns repeat-purchase it across their whole herd, with several owners reporting they now run three, four or five of them. The grain bin underneath also catches loose hay, which cuts waste enough that owners say they notice it in feed costs.
The hinged roof and dry hay
Wet, uncovered hay moulds quickly and becomes unsafe to feed, particularly in a barn where humidity sits overnight. A roof is the only structural answer to that, and it is why this rack exists as a distinct product rather than a variant of a standard wall rack.
It holds several flakes in 25 gallons of capacity, and the hot-dipped galvanized steel is thick enough that jumping and leaning goats do not deform it.
Grain bin and drop tray in one
The lower grain tray holds minerals, pellets and grain, and doubles as a catch tray for hay that falls out of the rack. That gives you a true 2 in 1 wall unit, which matters if you feed concentrate daily and do not want a separate bucket in the barn.
Mounting is flexible: screws on a barn wall, or the included adjustable hooks on panels and fences. Buyers who use it outdoors in bad weather rate that combination highly.
Bar spacing, the lid handle and hardware
Read the bar spacing carefully. Owners report that standard-size and full-grown goats struggle to reach hay at the back, so this works best with mini goats, kids and smaller does. The front is fine, the back of the rack is not always.
One buyer reported a newborn kid catching a leg in the lid handle and fracturing the bone. That is an isolated report rather than a pattern, but the sensible response is to remove or cap the handle before you mount the rack if you have young kids.
Hardware supply is inconsistent. Boxed racks arrive with short or missing hardware, missing nuts and no washers, and flat-packed racks can arrive bent, scratched or dented enough to need straightening before assembly. Check the box before you start.
Who this feeder suits
Choose it for a wet climate, for an outdoor run with no shelter, or for a barn where you feed minerals and grain as well as hay from one unit. It suits a range of species including goats, sheep, horses, ponies, alpacas, donkeys, cattle and deer.
Pass if you run full-size goats and want every animal to reach the back of the rack, or if you want a feather-light wall unit you can install alone. It is 24.8 pounds and wants two people.
9. Premier 1 X-Tuff Single Sided Feeder – Best No-Drill Hanging Rack
Premier 1 X-Tuff Single Sided Hay Feeder
Hot dip galvanized welded wire
One flake capacity
21.5 x 9 x 18 inches
Inverted 5 inch L-hooks
✓ The Good
- Galvanized wire survives full leaning weight
- Tight openings limit hay waste
- No-drill hook mount
- Holes in the base let kids feed beside dams
- Also suits rabbits and guinea pigs
✕ The Bad
- Single sided so only one line can feed
- Some goats knock it off the fence
- One flake capacity needs frequent refills
- Goats still waste hay from the front opening
The hook-on mount makes this the quickest install here. Inverted 5 inch L-hooks hook straight over a livestock panel, a gate or a 2 inch board, and the feeder is hanging. No drill, no studs, no anchors, and you can move it in seconds when you rotate paddocks.
It also scores 4.7 across 87 reviews with 82 percent five stars, and owners across goat, sheep, rabbit and guinea pig herds all describe the same thing: sturdy, quick to mount, and effective at limiting waste.
Galvanized welded wire strength
Hot-dip galvanized welded wire is a genuinely heavy duty material, and owners report it survives animals leaning their full weight on it. At 13 pounds it is heavier than most wall racks here without being unmanageable for one person.
The small side openings are what limit waste. A goat cannot take out more hay than it can chew in one movement, which is the core anti-waste principle and the reason this design works so well.
Inverted L-hooks and panel mounting
The mounting is the best argument for this feeder. It hangs over panels, gates or 2 inch boards, so it works in paddocks where there is no wall at all. For rotational grazing setups that is worth more than any capacity figure.
The one recurring complaint is that some goats knock it off the fence, and a longer rear hook would solve it. If that happens, a single zip tie or a short bungee through the rear hook is enough to hold it in place.
One-flake capacity and single-sided access
Sized for one flake at 18 to 21.5 inches wide, 8.5 to 9 inches deep and 18 inches high, this needs frequent refills in anything other than a very small herd. It is not a true two-sided rack, so only one line of animals can feed from it at a time.
What it does offer is bottom holes that let lambs and kids feed alongside their dams, which is a small touch that matters in a barn with young stock.
Who this feeder suits
Pick it for a mobile or rotational setup, for a barn with panels rather than stud walls, or for a small pet herd alongside rabbits and guinea pigs. It is also light enough that a child could move it.
Skip it if you have a large group, because a single feeding line and one flake at a time will not keep up. For that, run several on the same panel or move up to a larger unit.
10. VEVOR 80 Gallon 2 in 1 Feeder – Best for Large Herds
VEVOR Livestock Hay Feeder, 2 in 1 Grain & Hay Feeder, 80-Gallon Capacity, 57.9″ Long Goat Pasture Feeding with Deeper Feeding Pan, Heavy Duty Steel Grain Holder for Sheep Sheds, Farms, Horse Barns
80 gallon total capacity
56 gal hay plus 24 gal grain
57.87 x 27.56 x 34.06 inches
47.84 pounds
✓ The Good
- Largest capacity of the ten feeders
- Feeds 10 to 12 goats at once
- Deep pan catches substantial dropped hay
- Galvanized plates for long outdoor service
- Rounded edges on frame and tray
✕ The Bad
- Heaviest of the ten at 47.84 pounds
- Two person install
- Open hay area lets fast feeders spill
- Short review history for durability
This is the feeder to look at if you have ten goats or more, or a barn where horses and goats share space. Eighty gallons total, split into 56 gallons of hay and 24 gallons of grain, feeds ten to twelve goats at once according to the manufacturer.
It is also among the newest products in the roundup, and that tells you where to be careful. Eighty-two reviews is not a long track record, and its 4.1 average sits at the bottom of the group with the highest share of one-star feedback.
80 gallon capacity and herd throughput
Capacity is the entire argument here. At 57.87 inches long and 27.56 inches deep, this is a piece of farm equipment rather than a wall rack, and it is proportioned so twelve animals can feed at once without a queue forming.
For a meat goat operation or a mixed sheep and goat barn feeding from one station, that throughput is what justifies the size. For a four-head backyard herd it is simply more than you need.
Deep pan and rounded edges
The deeper feeding pan is the waste feature. It catches a substantial amount of hay that would otherwise land on the ground, which is the same principle as the catch tray on the all-steel combo feeder, just at a much larger scale.
Upgraded rounded edges on both the frame and the tray reduce scratches and injury risk, and the Q235 carbon steel tubing with galvanized steel plates is specified to resist deformation and outdoor corrosion.
Weight, assembly and review history
At 47.84 pounds this is a two-person install, and repositioning it is not a solo job. The overlapping frame structure does simplify assembly, but plan the lift before the box arrives.
One more caution: the large open hay capacity means fast feeders can pull a lot onto the ground, so even with the deep pan you will see some loss. And with only 82 reviews on a recent release, long-term durability is not yet proven the way it is for the older designs at numbers 5 and 6.
Who this feeder suits
Choose it for a herd of ten or more, for a barn where you want one feeding station instead of four wall racks, or for a mixed livestock building where capacity matters more than compactness.
Pass for a small household herd, and pass if you are installing alone. There are better-proven options at half the size.
How to Choose a Hay Feeder for Goats That Actually Stops Waste
Every feeder in this roundup solves the same problem in a slightly different way, and the differences come down to a handful of physical decisions. Here is how I weigh them, in the order I would.
Bar spacing is the single most important spec
Tighter openings mean less waste, because a goat cannot pull out more hay than it can chew. Every rack here is in that family, and the variation between them is real. If you want maximum waste control, look for tubed or welded wire with small side openings, and check the customer reviews for the phrase about goats pushing their heads through, because that is the first sign the spacing is too generous.
You are also watching for entrapment, in both directions. Openings narrow enough to stop a goat pulling hay are narrow enough that a kid can get a head or a leg stuck. Walk a hand around every gap before you mount the rack, cover anything that will take a horn, and remove or cap protruding handles on covered models.
Decide between wall-mounted, hanging and free-standing
Wall-mounted racks keep the floor clear and stop goats circling and shoving the feeder, which is a good fit for a barn with solid walls and studs you can find. Hanging racks with hooks need no drilling at all and suit panel fences, gates and portable setups, and they are the only realistic option for rotational grazing where you move paddocks.
Free-standing feeders are rarer in this category and mostly built for larger animals. If you see a listing described as cattle scale, work out whether it is genuinely oversized for a small herd. Many feeders sold for goats are really built for horses and calves, and you will pay for capacity you never fill.
Material decides how long it lasts outdoors
Galvanized steel and hot-dip galvanized welded wire are the choices for year-round outdoor use, because the zinc coating protects the steel underneath and will not chip off the way paint does. Powder-coated carbon steel is fine indoors and in a sheltered run, with the caveat that some racks arrive with chipped paint that should be touched up.
Poly feeders are worth considering if you have a young herd and want nothing sharp to inspect, but none appear in this roundup. Painted steel shows hay dust and needs repainting eventually, and plain wire without a coating will not last a wet winter.
Size the feeder to your herd, not the other way round
A practical rule: allow one feeding position per goat where the herd is under eight, and plan to run two or more units once you are past that. The single-flake hanging rack at number 9 suits a pair of pets or a very small herd, while the 80 gallon unit at number 10 is designed for ten to twelve animals at once.
For a two to six goat backyard herd, the 18.5 gallon wall rack or the 22 gallon 2 in 1 are the right scale. For a mixed barn with horses, size up. If you cannot feed the whole herd at once, you get crowding, which produces its own injuries and its own waste.
A catch tray is the fastest payback feature
Elevated hay that a goat drops lands on bedding, gets soiled, and gets thrown out. A catch tray puts that hay back within reach. The all-steel combo feeder at number 6 is built entirely around this idea, and the 2 in 1 units with lower grain trays capture the same hay as a side effect of serving grain.
If your current loss is significant, this is where I would spend first. Expensive hay feeding tips the math quickly, and the money comes back in a season rather than over the life of the feeder.
Consider weather, and a covered roof if it matters
Hay that gets wet moulds, and mouldy hay is both a waste and a health problem. In a dry climate an uncovered rack is fine and cheaper. In a wet one, the covered rack at number 8 is the only design in this roundup that keeps rain and snow off the forage, and owners in wet regions say it earns its place.
No matter which rack you pick, place it under shelter if you can, and never fill a rack with more hay than you expect to use in a day or two.
How to spot a weak listing before you buy
Check the review count first. A listing with a single review or a low rating tells you almost nothing, and there are plenty of them in this category. A rack with 180 or 200 reviews and a 4.5 average is a different proposition from a 4.0 with one review, and the price gap between them is usually small.
Then read the one and two star reviews specifically. Hardware complaints, missing parts and rust on arrival are the three issues that appear again and again, and all three are fixable in five minutes if you know about them before the box opens. A feeder that arrives with no screws in the bag is a minor problem. A feeder that arrives with sharp broken sections is not.
The DIY alternative is genuinely viable
If you have a saw, a screwdriver, screws and some wood, a wooden pallet feeder is a real option, and homesteaders on The Goat Spot forum have built them for a fraction of what a manufactured rack costs. The most shared design is angled slats, which keep hay clean and off the ground, and a roof over the top to keep it dry.
The other classic build uses a 16 foot hog panel cut in half with a Dremel, angled slats over a frame. Homesteaders describe that as the design they come back to, and it is the only option that fits an unusual shape exactly.
For anyone running automatic feeding systems for other animals in the same setup, our automatic pet feeder roundup covers the dispensing side, and our picks for wet food feeders and app-connected dog feeders cover timed portions. None of those replace a hay rack, though: goats still need long fiber in front of them. Related reading on smart feeders for smaller livestock covers the low barns where weight and moisture matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hay feeder for goats?
The best hay feeder for goats is one with tight bar spacing, a raised design and either a catch tray or a two-in-one grain tray underneath. Our top pick for most herds is the BUYYAH 2 in 1 at number one, because its tubed bars slow feeding and its detachable tray catches dropped hay. For a wet climate, choose a covered rack, and for panel fencing, choose a hook-mounted rack that needs no drilling.
Do goats need a hay feeder?
Goats do not need a specific feeder, but they eat far better from one. Without a rack, hay is pulled out of a pile, dropped and trampled, then soiled and discarded. A feeder keeps forage off the ground, which cuts waste and reduces exposure to parasites and coccidiosis carried in manure. Even a simple pallet build makes a measurable difference.
How do I make a DIY hay feeder for goats?
Cut a 16 foot hog panel in half with a Dremel, then mount both halves at a slant on a wooden frame with a roof above and a lip below. Angled slats keep hay clean and stop goats pulling it onto the floor. A wooden pallet feeder is the cheapest route: a saw, a screwdriver, screws and wood, with a wide top opening and a bottom slat.
How big of a hay feeder do I need for my goats?
Allow roughly one feeding position per goat for herds under eight, and run two or more units beyond that. A two to six goat household is well served by an 18.5 or 22 gallon wall rack. Herds of ten or more need a larger unit that feeds ten to twelve animals at once, or several smaller racks spaced around the pen.
Are galvanized steel hay feeders safe for goats?
Galvanized steel is safe and is the best choice for outdoor year-round use, because the zinc coating resists rust and will not chip the way paint does. The safety issues to check are spacing and edges: look for rounded or ground wire ends, and confirm that openings will not trap a kid’s head, a leg or a horn. Remove protruding lid handles on covered models.
Can goats survive off just hay?
Goats need long fiber in their diet, so hay should form the bulk of what they eat, and feeder design matters because some designs shred the fiber too much. Hay alone is not enough long term: they also need clean water, a mineral supplement formulated for goats, and salt. Loose hay on the ground is wasted and contaminated, so keeping it elevated in a proper rack protects both the ration and the animal.
Which Goat Hay Feeder Should You Buy?
If you want one answer, buy the BUYYAH 2 in 1. It has the tightest waste control in the group, the detachable grain tray, and a 4.5 rating across 274 reviews, which is the most proven combination on this list.
If your herd is mixed or includes rabbits and guinea pigs, take the Rugged Ranch two-pack for its galvanized build and multi-species use. If you have a small household budget and two to six goats, the VEVOR 18.5 gallon wall rack gives you the most hay per unit of money. For a wet climate, the Goatzy covered rack is the only design that keeps rain off the forage.
For a mobile or rotational setup, the Premier 1 X-Tuff hangs on a panel in seconds with no drilling. For hay waste that is visibly costing you money, the Country Manufacturing combo feeder has the catch tray that owners say ends the problem. And for a herd of ten or more, the VEVOR 80 gallon unit feeds everyone at once.
Whichever one you choose, check the bar spacing for entrapment, inspect the hardware when the box opens, and put the rack under shelter if you can. That is still the core lesson of the best hay feeders for goats in 2026: get the rack right and the waste problem solves itself.
