Building Plans for Horned Goat Feeders

These horned goat feeder plans are the culmination of 6 years of progressive development to minimize
waste while feeding multiple horned goats while keeping them from entering the feeder. This feeder design is easily customized and is for use underneath a shelter. For outdoor feeders, keep corner posts long as noted below and see instructions for roof construction in the next lesson.

Winter 2020 Update: After implementing this feeder design I had to reduce my feed amounts particularly in winter. During the height of the packing season I pour on the feed to keep weight on my packers. During the winter I’ve had to cut back and use less feed due the the reduced waste, my goat’s were getting too fat! I’ve since reduced their winter feed to 1/2 flake per goat morning and evening. It took a day or two for them to adjust but now they eat everything including stems! Not only does it nearly eliminate waste but it saves on feed costs!

The Design for the Horned Goat Feeder Plans:

This horned goat feeder maximizes the number of goats able to feed at once while minimizing waste due to
multiple features. It also makes for easy cleaning and restocking of feed. This design maximizes
space by feeding more than 3 goats at once. The width is ideal for allowing dominant and
subdominant goats to feed across from each other rather than one dominant goat dominating an
in-line system. Additionally, the dividers limit goats to individual stalls while allowing them
visibility to evade incoming dominants. The multi-sided feeder provides opportunities for at least
3 goats and up to 8 goats depending on herd dynamics. The Adult feeder accommodates up to 10 goats at once.

Waste minimizing features of this design include:

• • 4” gap below the feeder where goats can reach underneath and feed from the nutrient rich chaff that falls through the utility panel feeder floor.
  • Crossbars over the goats horns forces goats to maneuver slightly to enter the feeder and keep their heads in and down while they feed.
  • Crossbars however are not so low as to inhibit a quick escape if a dominant goat comes in.
  • The combination of the crossbars and dividers keeps goats from jumping into the feeder and soiling the feed.
  • The middle divider keeps feed accessible to goats while making it uncomfortable and inconvenient for any baby goat that tries to jump in.
  • The open top design makes placing feed inside effortless and is easily compatible for roofing or slot feeding designs.
  • Finally, the compact low cube design of this feeder makes it easy to clean by tipping it up and
    propping it with an object. It is then easy to pitchfork feed that has fallen through the utility panel
    and actually recycle good feed from underneath.

Ultimately these are the best horned goat feeder plans to date for feeding multiple horned goats at once.