The best hay feeder for goats is one that holds hay off the ground, forces them to pull small mouthfuls through openings they cannot get a head or a horn stuck in, and keeps fine leaves in a catch pan instead of on the barn floor. That single criterion decides everything else, from opening width to mounting height.
We spent weeks going through hay feeders built for horses, sheep, rabbits and cattle to find the ones that actually work for goats. Goats are the hardest animals on a feeder: they climb, they hook a horn into any gap, and they will tip a light-gauge unit over to see what is underneath. The equipment that survives them is rarely the equipment advertised for them.
What follows is a roundup of 12 hay feeders for goats, covering rope and mesh hay nets, galvanized wall racks, a hookover 2-in-1 steel feeder and hanging fabric totes. Each entry covers capacity, opening size, material and the situations where the feeder works and where it does not. We also size everything to herd size, because a feeder that is too small turns into competition at the bucket and an empty pen by evening.
Table of Contents
- Key Design Features to Look For
- Top 3 Goat Hay Feeders in 2026
- All 12 Best Hay Feeders for Goats (October 2026)
- 1. Weaver Equine Slow Feed Hay Net 36 inch – Best Hay Feeder for Goats Overall
- 2. T TEKE 2 Pack Slow Feed Hay Nets 40 inch – Best Value Hay Feeder for Goats
- 3. Majestic Ally 2 Pack 42 inch Hay Nets – Best Hay Feeder for Goats at Shows and in Trailers
- 4. Little Giant Mountable 2 in 1 Feeder – Best Hay Feeder for Goats on Fence Rails
- 5. INKNOTE Hanging Hay Tote with Adjustable Strap – Best Budget Hay Feeder for Goats
- 6. Aoneky Knotless Hay Net 47 inch – Best Hay Feeder for Goats Feeding a Whole Square Bale
- 7. BUYYAH 2 in 1 Hay Feeder 22 Gallon – Best Hay Feeder for Goats in Dwarf and Mini Breeds
- 8. Texas Haynet Round Bale Net – Best Hay Feeder for Goats on Round Bales
- 9. Rugged Ranch Wall Mounted Galvanised Steel Rack 2 Pack – Best Wall Mounted Hay Feeder for Goats
- 10. VEVOR 18.5 Gallon Wall Mounted Steel Feeder – Best Hay Feeder for Goats in a Small Barn
- 11. MKO SHUN Slow Feed Hay Nets 2 Pack – Best Hay Feeder for Goats with a Tight Slow Feed
- 12. MIYABALA 3 Pack Goat Hay Feeder Bags – Best Hay Feeder for Goats with Multiple Feeding Points
- How to Choose a Hay Feeder for Goats
- What makes a goat feeder work or fail
- Opening size: the 2×2 to 4×4 inch rule
- Catch pan: the single biggest waste reducer
- Herd size to feeder capacity
- Feeder height and placement
- Horned versus dehorned herds
- Poly, galvanised steel and fabric compared
- Feeder designs to avoid
- A DIY no-waste feeder in one afternoon
- What goes in the feeder and what does not
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Goat Hay Feeder Should You Buy in 2026?
Key Design Features to Look For
Openings of 2×2 to 4×4 inches: wide enough for a goat to pull hay, narrow enough that a head or a horn cannot wedge into them. Standard 2×4 cattle panel and horse panel fail this test, which is why they are such a common DIY mistake.
A catch pan or tray: the single feature owners praise most. Fine leaves, dust and broken stems fall into the tray and get eaten instead of ending up on a dirty floor.
Rigid construction: galvanised steel or thick poly, with welded joints and no thin wire. Anything light enough for a goat to lift with its nose will be lifted, repeatedly.
Wall-mounted or corner-mounted design: keeps the feeder clear of the floor, off the bedding and out of reach of climbing, and works in a narrow corner where a freestanding unit would just get shoved around.
A lid or canopy: keeps rain off the hay, which matters more than most people expect. Wet hay in a feeder goes mouldy fast, and goats will not eat it once they smell it.
No assembly traps: a feeder you have to take apart to refill gets refilled badly, and a feeder that must be disassembled every few days gets ignored.
How to choose a goat hay feeder in 5 steps
Pick the type first. Rigid rack, poly corner unit, hanging bag or slow-feed net. Everything else follows from that choice.
Pick the material. Galvanised steel for durability and horned herds, poly for corners and hard ground, fabric only for show and trailer use.
Check the opening size. 2×2 to 4×4 inches for adults. Kids and dwarf goats need tighter.
Size it to the herd. Match flake capacity to headcount so the feeder is not empty before the day is over.
Check the height and mounting. The face of the rack should sit roughly at nose height for the animals using it, with the tray below and nothing for a kid to climb.
Top 3 Goat Hay Feeders in 2026
All 12 Best Hay Feeders for Goats (October 2026)
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Weaver Equine Slow Feed Hay Net 36 inch |
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| T TEKE 2 Pack Slow Feed Hay Nets 40 inch |
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 Majestic Ally 2 Pack 42 inch Slow Feed Hay Net |
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 Little Giant Mountable 2 in 1 Feeder |
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 INKNOTE Hanging Hay Tote with Adjustable Strap |
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 Aoneky Knotless Hay Net 47 inch |
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 BUYYAH 2 in 1 Hay Feeder 22 Gallon |
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 Texas Haynet Round Bale Slow Feed Net |
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 Rugged Ranch Wall Mounted Steel Rack 2 Pack |
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 VEVOR 18.5 Gallon Wall Mounted Steel Feeder |
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Check Latest Price |
 MKO SHUN Slow Feed Hay Nets 2 Pack |
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 MIYABALA 3 Pack Goat Hay Feeder Bags |
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1. Weaver Equine Slow Feed Hay Net 36 inch – Best Hay Feeder for Goats Overall
Weaver Equine Slow Feed Hay Net, 36” Small Hole Synthetic Rope Horse Hay Feeder for Slower Feeding, Ideal Horse Hay Net for Horse or Goat Shows
Nylon rope construction
Holes 1 inch to 1.5 inch
Length 36 inch
Always Guaranteed warranty
Pros
- Small holes genuinely slow intake and cut waste
- Easily carried and hung on a rail or trailer bar
- Works for horses and goats in the same barn
- Five colour options
Cons
- Best on soft hay rather than coarse stem hay
- Nylon rope wears in a high-hang zone over years
This is the net we keep coming back to, and with 2242 reviews behind it, the most tested feeder in this roundup by a wide margin. The 1 inch to 1.5 inch holes are genuinely slow: a goat works at the net instead of pulling a whole flake out and dropping the bottom half on the bedding.
The 36 inch length is the useful part for goats. It is long enough to fill properly from a flake, light enough for one person to carry, and it folds small enough to live in a trailer for shows. It also uses a thick drawstring rather than a clip, so there is no hardware to snap in a paddock.
Cleaning takes a damp cloth and mild soap, and the maker advises against submerging it. In practice that is the right call: a soaked net is a heavy net, and a wet net that never fully dries smells like a wet net by the second week.
We also like that it does not need assembly, a bracket or a wall. You hang it, fill it, and the only real decision is how high. Hang it so the bottom of the net sits just above the animals’ back line and they graze underneath rather than at it.
What you should know before buying
The small-hole mesh is optimised for soft, easy-to-eat hay. On coarse, stalky hay, especially very mature grass hay, goats find the 1 inch openings frustrating and give up on a full net while leaving the bottom third untouched.
Second, a rope net is rope. In a barn where goats can reach it, expect visible wear at the hanging points over years, and expect eventually to replace it rather than mend it.
Where it fits your herd best
It is the right call for a hobby herd of two to ten goats fed on soft alfalfa or orchard grass, for shows and trailer days, and for anyone who wants one feeder that moves between pasture, stall and truck.
It is the wrong call as the only feeder in a pen with horned goats, a dog in the barn, or kids under roughly three months old. Netting has no rigid geometry holding a horn away from a gap, and that risk is the main reason rigid racks exist.
2. T TEKE 2 Pack Slow Feed Hay Nets 40 inch – Best Value Hay Feeder for Goats
T TEKE 2 pcs Classic Slow hay Feeder hay nets, 40″ Length with 2″ Holes, Horse Supplies hay Bags for Horses, Goat Feed
Twin pack with 40 inch body length
2 inch mesh holes
6mm braided drawstring
1.46 lb per net
Pros
- Two nets in a pack gives you a spare
- 40 inch body holds a generous flake
- 6mm drawstring is easy to grip and tie
- Soft braided cord is gentle on muzzles
Cons
- 2 inch holes slow feeding less than 1 to 1.5 inch mesh
- Soft cord is less cut resistant than knotted netting
Two nets with a 40 inch body is a lot of feeder for a small outlay, and the 4.6 rating across 962 reviews backs that up. For a barn feeding two or three goats, one full net is roughly a day of forage.
The 2 inch mesh is the compromise that makes this the value pick. It still slows intake noticeably compared with eating loose hay off the floor, but it is a gentler restriction than 1 to 1.5 inch mesh, which means goats settle into it faster and less frustrated.
The drawstring is a thick 6mm braided cord with a proper loop, which matters more than it sounds. Thin string closures are the first thing to fail on a goat net, and these have enough body to survive being tied and untied every day.
Owners of horses, donkeys and goats use these in the same setup, which is a decent sign of a forgiving design. It is not fussy about what it is loaded with, so it works for soaked hay as well as dry.
Weighing each net at about 1.46 lb, they are light enough to check for holes by eye every few weeks. That is more maintenance than a steel rack needs and far less than most owners expect to do.
What you should know before buying
If your problem is a greedy goat that bolts forage, these will not be slow enough. Owners who wanted a genuine slow feeder report the 2 inch opening as generous, and that is a fair description of the difference between a 2 inch and a 1.2 inch hole.
The cord is braided rather than knotted, so it is comfortable on a muzzle but slightly less resistant to chewing than a heavy-gauge knotted net. In a pen with animals that treat feeders as toys, expect a shorter life.
Where it fits your herd best
It suits a mixed goat and sheep herd, a barn where you want two feeding points so the animals do not fight over one, and anyone who wants a spare net for a show or a trip.
It also works as a travel feeder. The pair packs down small, and hanging a net in a trailer on the way to a fair is far easier than bolting a rack to a wall.
3. Majestic Ally 2 Pack 42 inch Hay Nets – Best Hay Feeder for Goats at Shows and in Trailers
Majestic Ally 2 pcs Slow Feed 42” Hay Net for Horses, Strong Small 2×2” Holes, Nylon Rope Hanging, Adjustable Travel Feeder for Trailer and Stall, Simulates Grazing, Reduce Waste (Hunter Green)
Twin pack,42 inch stretched length
2x2 inch mesh
Holds 3 to 5 flakes
Adjustable and foldable
Pros
- Large capacity of 4 to 8 flakes per net
- Contrasting drawstring is easy to find and untie
- Soft nylon string does not abrade hands
- 12 colour options including hunter green
Cons
- Some nets split at the bottom after many months
- Light material that determined goats can break
- Loading a full square bale takes practice
This is the one to buy if the feeder lives in a trailer. At 42 inches when fully stretched, it holds far more than the two smaller nets in this roundup, and reviewers regularly report filling it with four to eight flakes.
The 2×2 inch mesh is a good middle ground for goats. It holds leaves and small stems in rather than letting them rain onto the floor, but it is not so tight that a goat gives up in frustration after ten minutes.
The contrasting drawstring is a small design choice that pays off every day. On a net in low light in a barn, a black drawstring on black rope is genuinely hard to find, and this one is deliberately easy to see.
It folds down for storage, which solves the standard complaint about big nets: they are useful in July and an obstacle to everything in the way for the rest of the year. Reviewers in the US, UK, Germany, Canada and Mexico all report the same capacity and hold-up in daily use.
Care is hand wash only. That is a slight annoyance, but for a feeder that is usually rung out and hung in a dry corner, it is rarely the deciding factor.
What you should know before buying
The recurring complaint is long-term splitting along the bottom of the net after many months of daily use. Nothing breaks early, but nothing here lasts indefinitely either, so budget for a replacement every few seasons in a hard-working barn.
Loading a full small square bale into a 2×2 net takes practice. Start with loose flake rather than a whole bale, or the hay will fight you.
Where it fits your herd best
This is the pick for show strings, fair weeks and trailer days, where a big capacity that folds flat beats a small permanent wall rack.
It is also a reasonable second feeder for a pasture herd that gets hay through the winter, provided the herd is dehorned. A rigid bar rack is a better answer for horned animals at a dry lot.
4. Little Giant Mountable 2 in 1 Feeder – Best Hay Feeder for Goats on Fence Rails
Little Giant® Mountable Sheep and Goat Feeder – 2 in 1 Goat and Sheep Feeder and Hay Rack – Combination Hay and Grain Saves Space (Item No. 168793)
Heavy-duty galvanised metal
21.5 by 13.06 by 23.25 inch
Holds two flakes of hay
Feeds up to 10 animals
Pros
- Hookover mount fits rail or chain link without tools
- 2-in-1 feeds hay and grain from one unit
- Galvanised metal resists rust and abuse
- Feeds up to 10 mature sheep or goats
Cons
- Costs far more than a rope net for similar goals
- Fixed rack opening slows intake less than mesh
- Some fence types need extra mounting hardware
The maker lists this unit for goats and sheep specifically, and that shows in the geometry. The hookover mount drops over a rail, a chain-link fence or hurricane fencing, so you can move the feeding point to wherever the herd is without a drill.
Capacity is two flakes of hay plus grain space below, rated for up to 10 mature sheep or goats. That is a small herd covered by a single unit, and for a barn with 6 to 10 animals it removes most of the daily refilling that wears owners down.
It is heavy-duty galvanised metal with a rust-resistant finish, and it is the item in this roundup least likely to be destroyed by a goat standing on it. Nothing here flexes, which is exactly what a horned animal needs.
It also serves forage and grain from the same footprint, which is genuinely useful in a small barn where floor space is the constraint. Hay on top, grain below, one hang point.
Dimensions are 21.5 inch long by 13.06 inch wide by 23.25 inch high, so check the fence line before you plan the layout. The bottom edge also needs clearance from the ground or the bedding, or the feed slots fill with shavings.
What you should know before buying
The rack opening is a fixed bar rather than fine mesh, so a goat can still take a full mouthful here. This feeder reduces floor waste far more effectively than it slows the animal down.
Hookover mounting needs a rail or a fence to hook onto. On a flat wall or a pressure-treated post with nothing above it, expect to buy brackets and fixings separately.
Where it fits your herd best
It suits a barn with a rail or chain-link fence line, a herd of roughly 4 to 10 goats, and any situation with horned animals or animals that climb on feeders.
It is also the right choice for a mixed sheep and goat flock, since the manufacturer rates it for both and the dimensions suit either species at adult size.
5. INKNOTE Hanging Hay Tote with Adjustable Strap – Best Budget Hay Feeder for Goats
INKNOTE Hay Bag Hanging Goat Feeder Tote with Adjustable Strap
Oxford fabric with mesh gussets
19.7 by 17.7 by 6 inch
7.9 inch feed opening
10.55 oz
Pros
- Low cost entry point to hanging feeding
- Large 19.7 inch bag holds a generous load
- Adjustable strap with metal ring hangs anywhere
- Mesh gussets keep hay ventilated
Cons
- 7.9 inch opening is not a slow feeder
- Soaks through in wet conditions
- Fitting differs per animal type
If you want hay off the floor today for very little, this tote does one job: it lifts hay off the bedding so it stays clean and dry enough to eat, and it hangs from anything with a strap.
The 19.7 by 17.7 by 6 inch body is a real size rather than a token, and the nylon mesh ventilation gussets on both sides keep airflow up so the hay does not sweat in the middle of the load.
At 10.55 ounces it is light enough to move between pens, a tree line and a shelter with no more than one hand involved. For a small herd fed once a day, that convenience matters more than mesh gauge.
Owners use it for horses, donkeys, cows, alpacas and goats, and the reinforced stitching holds up well to the odd hard yank. It is also a decent carry bag: unhook, walk, hang, refill.
The adjustable webbing strap with a metal ring clip and hooks means you can set the height for the animals using it, which is the feature that keeps this out of the too-easy category.
What you should know before buying
The 7.9 inch feed opening is wide. A goat can reach in and pull out a large armful, so this is a waste reducer, not a slow feeder. If your problem is a greedy animal, look at mesh netting instead.
Fabric bags soak through in sustained wet weather despite the water-resistant coating, and fine leaf material that falls out of a wide opening ends up on the ground anyway. Use it under cover.
Where it fits your herd best
It fits a dry lot with a shelter, a first-feeder purchase, and a barn where the priority is keeping hay clean and dry rather than slowing intake.
It also works as a treat bag. Fill it with a small amount of hay or a favoured forage and hang it somewhere the goats have to work for it.
6. Aoneky Knotless Hay Net 47 inch – Best Hay Feeder for Goats Feeding a Whole Square Bale
Aoneky Knotless Hay Net for Horses, Large Slow Feed Hay Bag 47 Inches, Fits 36x18x18 Square Bales, 1.5 Inch Opening, Durable Nylon Haynet Reduces Waste, Colic, Boredom, for Horses, Goats, Sheep, Pony
Knotless nylon mesh
47 inch length fits 36x18x18 inch bales
1.5 inch openings
2.51 lb
Pros
- Takes a full small or large square bale
- Knotless weave is soft and tear resistant
- 1.5 inch openings slow intake without frustration
- Reinforced hanging loop included
Cons
- Included rope is often too short to open wide
- 1.5 inch holes can frustrate animals as it empties
- Needs a few days of acclimation for beginners
If you feed small square bales, this is the net that takes a whole one. At 47 inches it slips over a standard 36x18x18 inch bale, two-string or three-string, which means a genuine multi-day supply in one hang.
The knotless weave is the detail that sets it apart from cheaper knotted rope. No knots means nothing rubbing on lips and gums, and owners report no sprung holes after a year of daily use, which is a genuinely good result in a goat barn.
Openings of 1.5 inch slow consumption without frustrating the animal, and a 1 inch version exists for the greediest eaters. The 4.6 rating across 342 reviews is the joint highest of the nets here.
Refill frequency is the real selling point. Instead of walking out twice a day, you hang a bale and check it, and for a barn feeding on small square bales that changes the whole routine.
At 2.51 lb it is still light enough to handle loaded, and the reinforced hanging loop takes a hook, a ring or a length of rope.
What you should know before buying
The included rope is regularly reported as too short to open the net wide over a bale. Buy a longer rope or use a ceiling loop, because forcing the net open over a heavy bale is the moment most people damage it.
As the net empties, the 1.5 inch mesh gets proportionally tighter relative to what is left, and some animals lose interest near the end. A second, smaller net for the tail end of a bale solves this neatly.
Where it fits your herd best
It is the right pick for a small square bale operation, a herd of 4 to 8 goats, and a winter feeding setup where trips to the barn should be as few as possible.
It is a poor fit for a very young kid, since a 1.5 inch hole is not much of a barrier to a small head, or for a pen where horned goats can reach the netting.
7. BUYYAH 2 in 1 Hay Feeder 22 Gallon – Best Hay Feeder for Goats in Dwarf and Mini Breeds
BUYYAH 2 in 1 Hay Feeder Goat 22 Gallon
22 gallon or 2.5 cu ft capacity
Heavy-duty carbon steel
24 by 12 by 24 inch
18.75 lb
Pros
- Large capacity holds several flakes per fill
- Tubed steel far sturdier than thin bar racks
- Angled sides let several goats eat at once
- Detachable tray serves grain and hay
Cons
- Reports of poor hardware in some deliveries
- Welds loosening and paint chipping
- Bulky and heavy to move when full
This is the biggest hay volume in a rigid feeder in this roundup, and owners of dwarf goats, horses and rabbits all single it out for size. A 22 gallon body is about a third larger than a typical small rack.
It is built from heavy-duty carbon steel with a rust-proof, food-grade finish, and the tubed construction is visibly heavier gauge than a wire rack. At 18.75 lb it is not a feeder you carry around, which is fine because it is built to stay put in a pen.
Multiple angled feeding sides and a large top opening let up to 5 goats eat at once without fighting for a single slot, and the detachable tray underneath doubles as a grain pan.
Assembly is a 3-piece bolt-together job that owners report finishing in about three minutes, with no tools beyond a spanner. It also does duty as a blanket or hay storage between feeds.
At 24 by 12 by 24 inch it needs a corner or a wall, and it needs about that much clearance around it. Plan the pen layout before it arrives.
What you should know before buying
Quality control is inconsistent across the run. A minority of owners report welded joints loosening, paint chipping within a few months outdoors, or hardware missing from the box, so check every bolt and weld on arrival.
It is also heavy to move once loaded. If you plan to shift it between paddocks, this is a two-person job or it stays where it is put.
Where it fits your herd best
It suits a 4 to 6 goat pen where one fill should last most of a day, and it is well proportioned for Nigerian Dwarf and other miniature breeds that crowd around a small rack.
It is the right call when a single feeder needs to serve both hay and grain without a second piece of equipment taking up floor space.
8. Texas Haynet Round Bale Net – Best Hay Feeder for Goats on Round Bales
Texas Haynet – Round Bale Hay Net Slow Feed – Durable Round Bale Feeder for Horses – American Made UV Resistant Nylon Net – Fits Round Bales 4×6-6×6 or Square Bales 3x3x8-4x4x8 with 1.75″ Holes
UV-resistant nylon mesh
Holes 1.75 inch
Fits round bales 4x6 to 6x6
9.95 lb
Pros
- Made in USA from UV-resistant heavy gauge mesh
- Fits both round and square bale sizes
- 1.75 inch openings leave very little on the ground
- Easy to install and carry even loaded
Cons
- High cost for a single net
- Bulky to store when not in use
- 1.75 inch holes are not slow for greedy eaters
This is the only round-bale net in the roundup, and the range it covers is unusually broad: round bales from 4×6 up to 6×6, and square bales from 3x3x8 up to 4x4x8.
Owners credit it with leaving near-zero waste and keeping bales fresher two to three times longer than loose feeding, largely because the hay is covered from rain and from being dragged across dirt.
The mesh is heavy-gauge knotted nylon with UV resistance, made in the USA. At 1.75 inch holes it is a genuine slow feed rather than a simple cover, and the 4.3 rating across 223 reviews reflects that people like it and think it is expensive.
It is easy to install over a bale and easy to carry even when loaded, which is not a small thing at 6×6 round bale weight. Buy the 2 pack version if you feed more than one animal group.
It is rated for horses and ponies as well as goats, and the material is the pick here for anyone whose bales sit outside year round rather than under a roof.
What you should know before buying
At a premium price per net, this sits at the top of what this roundup offers, and it is the reason many hobby herds look at a 1.5 inch nylon net instead and get most of the benefit for far less.
At 1.75 inch, the holes are not slow enough for the greediest eaters. If you have one goat that hoovers forage, pair this with a tighter net for that animal.
Where it fits your herd best
It is built for round-bale operations, pasture supplementation in winter, and any setup where bales sit outdoors and need covering as much as restricting.
It suits dehorned herds best. A horned goat working at a net is a combination we would avoid, and a rigid rack is the safer answer.
9. Rugged Ranch Wall Mounted Galvanised Steel Rack 2 Pack – Best Wall Mounted Hay Feeder for Goats
Rugged Ranch SGGBF Wall Mounted Rustproof Galvanized Steel Sheep, Goat, Horse, Rabbit, Guinea Pig, and Cow Livestock Hay Feeder Rack, Silver (2 Pack)
Galvanised steel construction
4x4 grid
Wall mounted
2 pack
Pros
- Highest rated feeder in this roundup at 4.7
- Galvanised steel is rustproof and rigid
- Light enough to move between pens
- Goats must work to pull hay through
Cons
- 4 inch openings are wide enough for kid heads
- Not suitable for kids under about 3 months
- Top opening lets flakes jut out and be over-fed
The 4.7 rating here is the highest of any product we reviewed, with 82 percent of ratings at five stars. Adult goat, sheep, horse and small-pet owners consistently describe it as sturdy, easy to install and waste-reducing.
Two racks in a pack means two feeding points or one rack plus a spare, and both mount straight to a wall with the included screws. Being light enough to carry between pens, shows and stables is a genuine advantage of the galvanised steel build.
Goats have to work a little to pull hay through the 4×4 grid, which is the mechanism that keeps waste down. Hay sits in the frame rather than being dragged out and dropped.
Screws are included, and the steel is rustproof so it can live in an outdoor run or a washout area without the same worries as a painted rack.
It also works for rabbits and guinea pigs, so a barn keeping small pets alongside goats gets a second use out of the pack.
What you should know before buying
At 4 inch grid openings, this is not a kid-safe feeder. Owners specifically warn that baby goats can get their heads stuck, and the listing is not recommended for kids under roughly 3 months old. If you have kids in the pen, choose tighter openings or keep the rack high.
The wide top opening is a second, milder issue. Longer flakes jut out over the top where they can be pulled and dropped, so the waste control is better at the front than the top.
Where it fits your herd best
It suits a barn with a solid wall to screw into, adult and dehorned herds, and mixed-species housing where one rack format has to work for goats, sheep and small pets.
It is also the most portable rigid option here, which makes it a good fit for show strings, temporary pens and rotating pasture setups.
10. VEVOR 18.5 Gallon Wall Mounted Steel Feeder – Best Hay Feeder for Goats in a Small Barn
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 powder coated carbon steel
12.6 by 23.62 by 19.69 inch
4.4 lb
Pros
- 18.5 gallon capacity is roughly a day of feed
- Cold-rolled steel with full welds and powder coat
- Rounded edges reduce injury risk
- Only 4.4 lb so it is easy to reposition
Cons
- Openings still wide enough for a goat to push its head in
- One report of a feeder arriving rusted with chipped paint
- Not waterproof for exposed year-round outdoor use
An 18.5 gallon wall-mounted feeder feeding up to 5 animals at once is a strong capacity-to-size ratio, and buyers in France, Germany, Italy and Canada single it out for value and ease of assembly.
It is cold-rolled carbon steel with a full welding process and a powder coating, which is the right construction for a barn that gets hosed down. Rounded edges and corners are a genuine safety detail with animals that bump into things.
At 4.4 lb it is one of the lighter rigid feeders in this roundup, which matters if you want to move the feeding point as the season or the pasture rotation changes.
Instructions and expansion screws are included, so a first-time install on a wall or fence line is a manageable job. It also doubles as hay storage between feeds, which delays the weather getting at the load.
Dimensions of 12.6 inch deep by 23.62 inch wide by 19.69 inch high mean you need a real wall rather than a thin partition, and you need clearance underneath for the bedding.
What you should know before buying
The head opening is still wide enough for a goat to push its muzzle right in, so this reduces waste more than it prevents head entrapment. Treat it as an adult feeder, not a kid feeder.
It is not waterproof. For a barn wall or a covered run it is fine, and one review reported a feeder arriving with rust and chipped paint, so inspect the coating on arrival before hanging it.
Where it fits your herd best
It fits a small barn or an indoor run feeding up to 5 goats, especially mixed herds of small goats, donkeys and miniature breeds that need a lower, wide rack.
It also works as an overflow feeder for does and kids in a group pen, since the multi-sided access means less jostling at a single opening.
11. MKO SHUN Slow Feed Hay Nets 2 Pack – Best Hay Feeder for Goats with a Tight Slow Feed
MKO SHUN Slow Feed Hay Nets for Horses, Large Capacity Hay Bags, 2 Pack
1.2 inch holes expanding to 1.5 inch
Knotless polyester rope
Holds 2 to 3 flakes per net
1.91 lb per pack
Pros
- 1.2 inch holes slow consumption noticeably
- Weather resistant to rain
- snow and sun
- Extra-wide top opening fills fast
- Knotless rope is soft on gums and teeth
Cons
- Top closure strings are the first element to fail
- Included carabiners have sharp edges
- Goats with horns can get caught in the mesh
This is one of the tighter slow feeds in the roundup at 1.2 inch holes, expanding to 1.5 inch as the net fills. Owners report intake slowing by roughly 40 percent without frustrating horses or goats, and the nets cut ground waste dramatically.
The knotless polyester rope is soft on lips, gums and teeth, and the extra-wide top opening means you can load a net in seconds rather than fighting the material. Capacity is about 2 to 3 flakes per net, so the 2 pack is a half-day to a day of feed.
Weather resistance is genuinely useful. Owners report no fraying after exposure to rain, snow and sun, and dual handle rings plus centre ties give you more than one way to hang it.
It works on hooks, rails, stalls, trailers, fences or walls, which makes it the most flexible hanging option here for a setup that changes through the year.
At 1.91 lb per pack, both nets are light to carry and the whole set folds into a small footprint for storage.
What you should know before buying
The top closure strings are the first element to fail, usually within weeks, and nets can split along a seam after a few months. Check the closure every week if you rely on it.
The included carabiners have sharp edges that owners flag as an eye-injury risk when hung at head height, and they are sometimes missing from the pack. Replace them with a rounded hook and the problem goes away.
Owners also report that horned goats can get caught in the mesh. For a horned herd, choose a rigid rack.
Where it fits your herd best
It fits a greedy-eater situation where you specifically want intake restricted, and a herd of 2 to 6 goats fed on soft hay.
It is a good pick for shows and travel, where a small, light, foldable feeder that fills in seconds is more valuable than maximum capacity.
12. MIYABALA 3 Pack Goat Hay Feeder Bags – Best Hay Feeder for Goats with Multiple Feeding Points
MIYABALA 3 Packs Goat Hay Feeder, Hay Bags for Goats, Horses, Sheep
3 pack of 600D oxford cloth
One 7 inch opening or four 3 inch openings
Adjustable webbing straps
2.54 lb
Pros
- Three bags give multiple feeding points
- Holds up to 3 hay bags with reinforced stitching
- Adjustable hooks set the height per animal
- Large top opening makes loading quick
Cons
- Lowest average rating of the group at 4.0
- Tote format is a weak slow feeder compared with mesh
- Adjustable fitting and hole options add setup steps
Three feeding points from one purchase is the argument for this pack, and in a pen where a dominant goat controls the feeder, spreading the points out is often the cheapest fix available.
The 600D oxford cloth with tight reinforced stitching resists tearing and biting better than lighter canvas, and adjustable webbing straps with end hooks let you set the height differently for kids and adults.
The feed holes are configurable: one large 7 inch opening, or four 3 inch openings. Four smaller holes spread the wear across the bag and slow things down a little compared with one big opening.
It hangs indoors, outdoors, on trees, in corrals and in pastures, so a rotation setup can move the feeding point without a permanent install.
The large top opening makes loading quick, and owners like the colour options for keeping a track of which bag is which.
What you should know before buying
This is the lowest-rated product in the roundup at 4.0 across 206 reviews, with 11 percent two-star ratings. The recurring complaint is inconsistent construction quality between bags in the same pack, so inspect all three on arrival.
A canvas tote is simply not a slow feeder compared with small-mesh netting. If your goats waste hay by bolting it, this will not fix that.
Where it fits your herd best
It fits a group pen of 4 to 8 goats where you need several feeding points to reduce pushing and bullying at a single rack.
It also works as a portable option for pasture rotation and for separating a kid pen from an adult pen without buying a second fixed feeder.
How to Choose a Hay Feeder for Goats
What makes a goat feeder work or fail
A feeder fails goats in four predictable ways, and every one of them appears repeatedly in owner feedback. Goats pull hay out in big armfuls and drop the rest. They climb onto feeders and tip or break them. They hook a horn into an opening wide enough to wedge. And they scatter fine leaves and dust straight to the floor.
Each of those four failures has a matching design answer, which is why the same four questions decide nearly every purchase: how wide are the openings, is there something below to catch what falls, is the frame rigid, and how high is it mounted.
Opening size: the 2×2 to 4×4 inch rule
For adult goats, openings between 2×2 and 4×4 inches are the working range. Below about 1 inch, goats struggle and lose interest. Above 4 inches, a goat can get a muzzle or a horn fully into the opening, and waste climbs sharply.
This is exactly where the most common DIY feeder fails. A 2×4 cattle panel or a standard horse panel has openings far wider than 4 inches, which is why owner reports of panel racks describe goats pushing hay out onto the ground. If you are building, use welded wire with a 2×2 to 3×3 grid, or real 2×4 lumber laid flat rather than on edge.
Kids need tighter. A head that fits through a gap at six weeks can be trapped by it at three months, so for a pen with young stock either use a feeder with a closed face or mount the rack high enough that a kid cannot reach it.
Catch pan: the single biggest waste reducer
Goat rescue builders and experienced owners repeatedly name the bottom tray as the one feature that keeps hay off the ground. Whatever falls through the openings lands in the tray, where the goats eat it before it hits the bedding.
Without a tray, you are losing the finest, most nutritious leaf material on every feeding, and you are eating it later as parasite pickup from a dirty floor. A tray is not an accessory; it is the difference between a feeder that reduces waste and one that relocates waste.
Herd size to feeder capacity
Match the number of feeding points to the herd, not just the total capacity. Goats that share one rack push each other aside and the smaller animals go short, so the practical rule is closer to one feeding point per 3 to 4 goats than one per 10.
As a capacity guide, a net holding 2 to 3 flakes covers roughly 2 to 3 goats for a day. A rack holding two flakes is similar. A 20 gallon feeder sits in the same band, and an 18.5 gallon multi-sided rack is usually right for 4 to 5 animals at once. An 8 to 12 goat pen wants at least two points, and a 20-plus head operation wants one per 4 to 5 animals.
Feeder height and placement
Mount the face of the rack at roughly the nose height of the animals using it, with the catch tray below and clear of the bedding. Too low and hay is pulled out onto the floor; too high and small goats cannot reach.
Wall and corner mounts are the most stable because they put the feeder where a goat cannot get a shoulder under it. Freestanding units need to be heavier than the animal leaning on them. Hanging bags want a solid overhead point and enough clearance that a standing goat cannot hook a horn into the strap.
Horned versus dehorned herds
With horns intact, feeder geometry stops being a preference and becomes a safety requirement. Grazing with Leslie puts it plainly: horizontal bars with narrow openings prevent goats with horns from getting their heads stuck. Every rigid rack in this roundup is recommended for horned herds for that reason.
Netting is the opposite case. There is no rigid frame controlling where a horn travels, and owners of the nets in this roundup report caught horns directly. For a horned herd, use rigid racks and keep nets for dehorned animals in a separate area.
Poly, galvanised steel and fabric compared
Galvanised steel is the most durable and the most expensive over many years. It resists rust, tolerates horn impacts and is unaffected by cold, but it is heavy and it can develop sharp edges if it is cut on site.
Rotationally moulded poly is the easiest to move and the kindest in a wet pen, since it will not rust and does not chip. It is also the material most likely to crack in hard cold weather or degrade under sustained UV, and light-gauge poly is exactly what goats tip over.
Fabric and mesh totes are the cheapest and the lightest, and they are the least durable. They also do nothing to slow intake and nothing to protect hay from rain, so treat them as portable and seasonal rather than permanent.
Feeder designs to avoid
Hay nets of any kind are the design most goat owners warn against, with one blunt summary: hay nets are dangerous and among the most wasteful ways to feed goats. We have reviewed nets here because the market is full of them and the specs are real, but for a horned or unsupervised herd we would not make one the primary feeder.
Loose floor piles and over-wide cattle panel racks are the other two to avoid. One puts forage on a contaminated floor, and the other throws waste on the floor faster than any catch tray can save it.
A DIY no-waste feeder in one afternoon
The DIY pattern that keeps coming up on forums is a slanted frame with small-mesh fencing on the front, a solid base, and a lip at the bottom. The mesh keeps hay in, the slant lets goats pull downward rather than straight out, and the lip stops pulled flakes hitting the floor.
Build it from 2×4 lumber, not panel, and use welded wire with a 2×2 or 3×3 grid on the face. A simple four-sided box with one mesh face and a sloped floor is enough for a herd under 10, and it can be lined with plywood for a removable washable floor.
Before you build anything, mount it high enough that kids cannot reach the openings, and check the mesh on a weekly basis. Goat-proofing after the fact is much harder than building it right.
What goes in the feeder and what does not
Grass hay should be the base of the diet for adult goats, with alfalfa kept to a minority of the ration for animals that are growing, lactating or on a high-production diet. Goats are browsers, and forage that arrives through a feeder keeps that behaviour intact.
Avoid moldy hay above all, along with dusty or very mature stemmy hay that nobody will eat and that clogs a feeder. Do not feed treated orchard clippings, and keep anything with a chemical treatment label out of the feeder entirely. A feeder that keeps hay off the ground also keeps it away from damp, which is the single best defence against the mould that turns a good bale into waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hay feeder for goats?
The best hay feeder for goats holds hay off the ground, uses openings of roughly 2×2 to 4×4 inches so a head or horn cannot wedge in, and has a catch pan below so fine leaves do not end up on the bedding. Rigid galvanised steel or poly racks suit horned herds best, while small-mesh nets suit dehorned animals and travel.
Do goats need a hay feeder?
Goats do not strictly need a feeder, but they waste dramatically more hay without one. Hay fed off the floor is pulled apart, soiled, and contaminated with manure and parasites, and goats eating off the ground also take in more grit. A rack with a catch pan keeps forage clean, slows intake and cuts waste substantially.
How high should a goat feeder be?
Mount a rack so the front face sits at roughly the nose height of the animals using it, with the catch tray below and clear of the bedding. Too low and hay ends up on the floor; too high and smaller goats cannot reach. Keep the whole unit out of reach of kids whose heads could fit through the openings.
How do I stop my goats from wasting hay?
Tighten the openings to 2×2 to 4×4 inches so a goat must work to pull hay, and add a catch pan so pulled flakes and fine leaves stay in the feeder. Mount it at nose height, feed a smaller amount more often, and remove leftovers daily so nothing goes mouldy and spoil the whole load.
What size hay feeder do I need for 5 goats?
For 5 goats, look for roughly two flakes of hay capacity per feeding point, and plan on two feeding points so the animals are not fighting over one. A net holding 2 to 3 flakes covers about 2 to 3 goats a day, and an 18.5 to 22 gallon rack feeds 4 to 5 animals at once.
Can goats get their heads stuck in a hay feeder?
Yes, and the risk is highest with wide-bar racks and flexible netting. Keep openings under about 4×4 inches for adults, use horizontal bars rather than vertical ones so a horn cannot slide along them, and choose a rigid rack for any herd with horns intact or with kids under three months in the same pen.
Which Goat Hay Feeder Should You Buy in 2026?
For most goat keepers, the Weaver Equine Slow Feed Hay Net is the one to buy first. With 2242 reviews behind it, a 1 inch to 1.5 inch hole size that genuinely slows intake, and no assembly or mounting to work out, it does the job cleanly for a dehorned herd on soft hay.
If your goats are messy eaters rather than fast ones, the real upgrade is a rigid rack. The Little Giant mountable 2-in-1 is the right answer on a rail or chain-link fence line, the Rugged Ranch wall rack is the strongest general-purpose option with the highest rating in the group, and the VEVOR 18.5 gallon unit suits a small indoor barn.
Pick this one if you have horned goats, or kids under three months in the same pen: the Rugged Ranch or Little Giant, and nothing made of loose mesh. Pick this one if you feed small square bales: the Aoneky net takes a full 36x18x18 inch bale. Pick this one if shows and trailers matter more than a fixed installation: the Majestic Ally 42 inch net. Pick this one if the herd is very small and very budget-constrained: the INKNOTE hanging tote.
Whichever you land on, the two numbers that decide everything are the opening size and whether a catch pan is fitted. Get those right and the rest is preference.
