Anyone who keeps goats learns one thing fast: goats are the pickiest, messiest eaters on the farm. They pull out a big mouthful of hay, eat the best bits, drop the rest on the ground, and then refuse to touch it because it’s been stepped on.
In my first year, I’m pretty sure half my hay ended up as bedding. A good hay feeder fixed most of that. The right design keeps hay off the ground, out of the rain and just hard enough to pull that goats eat what they take. These 10 DIY goat hay feeder ideas include easy pallet and keyhole builds, covered feeders with a roof, barn racks and a few smart tricks to cut waste.
1DIY Pallet Hay Feeder
A pallet hay feeder is the easiest and cheapest feeder you can build. The pallet slats become the bars, and a plywood back turns it into a pocket for hay. Goats pull hay through the slats a bit at a time, so they waste less.
I built my first one in an hour from a free pallet. It’s still going strong.
- Almost free to build
- Ready in about an hour
- Goats pull out small bites
Project Card · 1 hour · Easy
Materials Needed
- One HT stamped wooden pallet
- A sheet of exterior plywood for the back
- 2×4 lumber for a bottom ledge
- Exterior screws and a drill
- Sandpaper
- Fence brackets or long screws for mounting
How to Make It
- Check that the pallet is stamped HT, then sand the slats so there are no splinters.
- Cut a piece of plywood the same size as the pallet.
- Screw the bottom edge of the plywood to a 2×4 ledge so it forms a V shaped pocket with the pallet.
- Screw the top of the pallet to the plywood, leaving the top open for loading hay.
- Fix the feeder to a sturdy fence or wall with the bottom at about the height of your goats’ chests.
- Fill it with hay through the top.
Don’t want to DIY?
Goat Hay Feeder
If you’d rather not build, a ready made metal hay feeder made for goats hangs on any fence and lasts for years.
PRO TIP Make sure the slat gaps are no wider than about 4 inches. Wider gaps let goats pull out big mouthfuls and waste more.
2DIY Covered Hay Feeder with a Roof
Goats won’t eat wet hay, and moldy hay can make them sick. A covered feeder with a roof keeps rain off, so hay stays fresh outdoors. It’s a must if your goats eat in the pasture.
In my experience, a roof that overhangs the sides by a few inches makes the biggest difference on rainy days.
- Keeps hay dry in the rain
- Works out in the pasture
- Goats can eat from all sides
Project Card · One weekend · Medium
Materials Needed
- 2×4 and 4×4 lumber for the frame
- 1×4 boards for the slatted sides
- Exterior plywood for the bottom tray
- Corrugated metal roofing panels
- Exterior screws and roofing screws with washers
- A saw, a drill and a level
How to Make It
- Build a rectangular base frame from 2x4s and fix a plywood tray inside it to catch dropped hay.
- Stand a 4×4 post at each corner and screw them to the base.
- Screw 1×4 slats along the sides, about 4 inches apart, to hold the hay.
- Build a simple pitched roof frame on top of the posts.
- Screw the corrugated roofing panels to the roof frame, overlapping the sides by a few inches.
- Fill the feeder from one end and check the roof sheds rain away from the hay.
PRO TIP Raise the base a few inches off the ground on blocks. It keeps the bottom hay dry and stops the wood rotting.
3DIY Keyhole Hay Feeder
A keyhole feeder is the best design for cutting hay waste. Each goat puts its head through a round opening and slides it down into a narrow slot to eat. Because they have to keep their head in, they eat the hay they pull instead of dropping it.
Honestly, this one cut my hay waste more than anything else I’ve tried.
- Cuts hay waste the most
- Each goat gets its own spot
- Stops bossy goats pushing others away
Project Card · One weekend · Medium
Materials Needed
- 3/4 inch exterior plywood for the front panel
- 2×4 lumber for the box frame
- 1×6 boards for the back and bottom
- A jigsaw and a drill with a large spade bit
- Exterior screws and sandpaper
How to Make It
- Build a long box frame from 2x4s about 2 feet deep, open at the top.
- On the plywood front panel, mark keyholes about 12 inches apart: a round opening about 7 inches wide at the top narrowing to a 4 inch wide slot below.
- Drill a starter hole and cut each keyhole with a jigsaw.
- Sand every cut edge until it’s completely smooth so it can’t scratch faces or necks.
- Screw the front panel to the box, then close the back and bottom with boards.
- Mount it so the bottom of the slots sits around your goats’ chest height and fill it with hay.
PRO TIP Adjust the slot size to your goats. Small breeds need smaller keyholes so they can’t climb in.
4Cattle Panel Hay Rack
A piece of cattle panel bent into a U and fixed to a fence makes a strong, long lasting hay rack. It’s quick to install and holds a lot of hay for a whole herd.
If your goats have horns, choose a panel with small openings or add a wooden bar so they can’t get their heads stuck.
- Very strong and long lasting
- Holds hay for a whole herd
- Quick to install
You’ll need: a section of galvanized cattle panel, heavy fence staples or U bolts and bolt cutters.
Don’t want to DIY?
Cattle Panel Hay Rack
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5Barn Wall Hay Rack
Inside the barn, a long slatted rack along one wall lets the whole herd eat side by side. It saves floor space and keeps hay clean and dry.
I’d make it long enough for every goat to have a spot. Fewer spots mean more pushing and fighting.
- Feeds the whole herd at once
- Saves barn floor space
- Keeps hay clean and dry
You’ll need: 2×4 lumber, 1×4 slats, exterior screws and wall brackets.
6Slow Feed Hay Net
A slow feed hay net with small holes makes goats work for every bite. They eat slower, waste less and stay busy longer, which helps with boredom.
Tie it high and tight so it can’t hang low. Goats, especially horned ones, can get tangled in a loose net.
- Big cut in hay waste
- Keeps goats busy
- Easy to hang anywhere
You’ll need: a small hole slow feed hay net and a sturdy post or wall ring to tie it to.
Don’t want to DIY?
Slow Feed Hay Net for Goats
A strong small hole hay net slows down eating and cuts waste, and it’s easy to move between pens.
7Hay Feeder with a Catch Tray
Even with a good feeder, some hay falls. A wide tray underneath catches it before it hits the dirty ground. Goats will often eat it from the tray, especially the tasty leaves that fall off.
A tip I picked up: add a few small drainage holes to the tray so rain doesn’t collect in it.
- Catches dropped hay and leaves
- Goats eat what falls
- Easy to add to any feeder
You’ll need: plywood or boards for a tray, a 2×2 lip around the edge and exterior screws.
8Corner Hay Feeder for Small Pens
In a small pen, a triangle shaped feeder fits neatly into a corner and doesn’t take up space your goats need to move around. It’s ideal for pygmy and Nigerian dwarf goats.
Keep it low enough for small goats to reach without standing on anything.
- Uses an empty corner
- Perfect for small breeds
- Leaves room to move
You’ll need: 2×4 lumber, 1×4 slats and exterior screws.
9Freestanding Outdoor Hay Station
If your herd is big or your goats graze in a large pasture, a freestanding hay station lets them eat from both sides. It works like a little open shed for hay.
I’d add skids or runners under the base so you can drag it to a new spot when the ground gets muddy.
- Feeds a big herd from both sides
- Can be moved around the pasture
- Roof keeps hay dry
You’ll need: 4×4 posts, 2×4 lumber, 1×4 slats, roofing and two long 4×4 runners for the base.
10Barrel Hay Feeder
A plastic barrel turned into a hay feeder is fast, cheap and keeps hay mostly covered. Lay it on its side on a stand and cut openings along the top side. Goats eat through the openings and the curved barrel keeps rain off.
Only use food grade barrels, and sand every cut edge smooth.
- Very quick to make
- Keeps hay mostly covered
- Easy to clean out
You’ll need: a clean food grade plastic barrel, a jigsaw, sandpaper and a simple wooden stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should a goat hay feeder be?
Mount it so the bottom of the feeder is around your goats’ chest height. Goats eat with their heads up naturally, and a raised feeder stops them climbing in or standing in the hay.
How do I stop goats wasting hay?
Use a feeder that makes them pull small bites, like a keyhole feeder or a slow feed hay net, and add a tray underneath to catch what falls. Keeping hay dry and covered also stops them refusing it.
Are hay nets safe for goats?
They can be, if you use small holes and tie the net high and tight. Loose, low hanging nets can tangle goats, especially goats with horns, so always check it after filling.
What wood is safe for a goat feeder?
Use untreated pine, cedar or HT stamped pallets. Avoid pressure treated wood where goats can chew it, and sand everything smooth so there are no splinters.
Final Thoughts on DIY Goat Hay Feeder Ideas
The best DIY goat hay feeder keeps hay off the ground, out of the rain and just hard enough to pull that your goats eat what they take. Start with an easy pallet feeder, try a keyhole design if waste is a problem, and add a roof or tray for outdoor feeding. Less waste means fewer hay bales to buy, and that’s something every goat owner can appreciate.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.