Adult Horned Goat Feeder Plans

Materials:

(2) 10ft 4×4 pressure treated posts

(2) 4×8 sheet of ⅜” tri-plywood

(13) 8ft 2x4s

(1) 46″ x 57″ section of 4in x 4in utility panel

(Note: Most ranch supply stores sell 4x16ft utility panel, excess is useful for more feeders or fencing)

Tools:

Carpenters Square
Tape measure

Circular Saw
Circular cutting wheel or bolt cutters

Pencil
Chalk line or straight edge

Fasteners (Nails or Screws) 3” used for framing & 1 ½” used for sheeting

Step by Step:

Cuts:
(2) 10’ 4×4 cut in half (making 4 posts at 5’ each)
(8) 2×4 cut to 57 inches
(10) 2×4 cut to 42 inches
(6) 2×4 cut to 23 1/2 inches

Keep 2×4 scraps to attach the divider panels.

(2) 18” x 45 ¾” plywood side panels

(2) 18″ x 57″ plywood side panels

(2) 24″ x 51″ plywood divider panels

Horned Goat Feeder Plans

 Step 1

Measure and mark 4” up the 4×4 pressure treated post where the bottom of the frame will be attached.

Step 2

Fasten a 42” 2×4 flush above the 4” line and flush with the outside edges of posts 1 and 2.

Step 3

Repeat previous step with posts 3 and 4.

Step 4

Fasten a 57” 2×4 flush above the 4” line and flush with the outside edges of the 2x4s of posts 1 and 3.

 Step 5

Repeat this step with posts 2 and 4.

This is the base frame of the feeder.

Step 6

On both 57″ sides, measure and mark

18 1/4″ and 19 3/4″, and 37 1/4″ and 38 3/4″.

These indicate where to attach each 42″ 2×4.

Step 7

Fasten each 42” 2×4 square and flush with the tops of the 57″ sides.

At this point, lay the 4’x4’ utility panel on the ground and center the frame over the panel to facilitate marking accurately.

Step 8

Fit the panel over the top of the frame between the corner posts supported by the base frame, 4” off the ground.

Step 9

Lift the utility panel onto the base frame. Trim along the 2x4s.

Step 10

(2) 42” 2×4   (2) 57” 2×4

Measure 22″ up the 4×4 posts from the base. Fasten the 42″ 2x4s and 57″ 2x4s flush and square to the top of the 22” measurement lines. As in Step 4 and Step 5.

Side Panels

Step 11

(2) 18”x42 ¾” (will over hang 3/8″ on each side)  (2) 18”x57” (will be flush)

Fasten each 18″x42 ¾” and 18″x57″ to their corresponding sides flush and square to the top of the 22″ height cross bars. This should leave a 4″ gap from the bottom so goats can feed from what falls through the panel.

Rough Framing

Step 12

(2) 42” 2×4   (2) 57” 2×4

Measure 42″ up from the base and again flush and square below the measurement line. Fasten each 2×4 like in Step 4 and Step 5.

Step 13

Along the 57″ 2×4 at the 22″ height and 42″ heights, measure and mark 20 ¼″, 23 ¾″,  36 ¼“, and 39 ¾”.  These marks indicate the outlines of the upright dividers.

(note there are 2 upright dividers per side)

Step 14

Along the 42″ 2×4 at the 22″ height and 42″ heights,

measure and mark 20 ¾” and 24 ¼”

These marks outline the upright dividers.

(note there is 1 upright divider per side)

Step 15

On the inside of the frame, fasten (6) 23 1/2 upright dividers between these marks.

* These uprights form the dividers where goats enter to feed.
The space accommodates goats with large or wide horns while being small enough to reduce movement keeping goats’ heads down to minimize waste. This also allows both dominant and submissive goats to feed across from each other.

Center Divider
Using scrap 2x4s, fix the (2) 24″ x 51″ plywood panels together at a 90 degree angle.

Insert this inside the feeder over the wire panel to act as a feed divider.
This divider also helps discourage goats from entering the feeder as it eliminates comfortable bedding options.

If this feeder is for use under covered spaces, the open top design allows easy feed placement without reaching down and through while fighting off hungry goats.