Which Livestock Feeder Is Right for Me?
The right livestock feeder depends on what animals you have, what you are feeding, and where you feed them. A hanging feeder for a horse stall, a bunk for cattle cubes, and a round bale hay feeder each serve a different purpose.
At Red River Arenas, we build galvanized feeders for everyday ranch use. Here is how to narrow down the options for your horses, cattle, and feeding setup.
Start Here: What Are You Feeding?
- Hay and grain in a stall or along a fence: Start with the HF100 Hanging Horse Feeder.
- Hay and grain in a freestanding horse feeder: Compare the BF04H Horse Bunk Feeder.
- Grain, cubes, or other livestock feed in a trough: Compare the MF08 and MF10 galvanized feed bunks.
- Round bale hay for horses: Start with the RBFH open-top round bale feeder, also designed for horned livestock.
- Round bale hay for cattle: Compare the R1, R2, R3, and R6 based on hay containment, feeder design, and budget.
HF100: A Hanging Feeder for Stalls and Fences
The HF100 Hanging Horse Feeder is a useful starting point when you feed hay flakes and grain in a horse stall, barn, or pen with a suitable fence or panel for mounting.
It combines a hay-feeding area with a feed trough in a compact hanging design. Galvanized sheet metal, smooth rolled corners, and an added rear hook are part of the construction. The rear hook helps keep playful horses from pulling it away from its mounted position.
Choose the HF100 when: You want a feeder that mounts to your stall or fence and keeps the feeding station off the ground.
View the HF100 Hanging Horse Feeder.
Watch HF100 hanging fence feeder on YouTube.
BF04H: A Horse Bunk Feeder With a Hay Rack
The BF04H 4-foot Horse Bunk Feeder combines a hay rack with a galvanized feed trough in a freestanding unit. It is a good option to compare for horse pens, paddocks, and pasture feeding areas.
The V-shaped trough helps keep feed centered, while the wide skid base provides a stable footprint and makes repositioning the feeder easier. The feed-pan lip is approximately 37 inches from the ground, so check that feeding height against the size of your horses.
Choose the BF04H when: You want a freestanding horse feeder with space for both hay and grain.
View the BF04H Horse Bunk Feeder.
MF08 and MF10: Galvanized Feed Bunks for Horses and Cattle
For grain, cattle cubes, pellets, or other livestock feed, compare our MF08 8-foot and MF10 10-foot galvanized feed bunks. We use these same feed bunks for cattle and horses on our own ranch.
- MF08: The shorter 8-foot length works well where a 10-foot bunk takes up too much room, including smaller feeding areas, barns, and loafing sheds.
- MF10: The 10-foot length provides a longer feeding line for pasture and pen feeding.
Both models have galvanized steel construction, a sloped V-bottom to help keep feed centered, and drain holes at the ends. Compare the space you have with the feeding access your animals need.
Shop the MF08 8-foot feed bunk or shop the MF10 10-foot feed bunk.
Watch Our Feed Bunks With Cattle
Watch galvanized feed bunks used with cattle on YouTube.
Watch Our Feed Bunks With Horses
Watch galvanized feed bunks used with horses on YouTube.
RBFH: Round Bale Hay for Horses and Horned Livestock
If you are feeding round bales to horses, start by looking at the RBFH Galvanized Horse Round Bale Feeder. It is also designed for longhorn cattle and other horned livestock.
The open-top design helps avoid mane rubbing from an upper rail, while the galvanized sheet-metal skirt helps contain hay. The RBFH is approximately 31 inches tall and 90 inches in diameter.
Choose the RBFH when: You want an open-top round bale feeder designed for horses or horned livestock.
View the RBFH Round Bale Feeder.
Which Round Bale Feeder Should I Choose for Cattle?
The main differences are how the feeder contains hay at the base and whether it supports the bale off the ground.
R2: A Simple Economy Hay Ring
The R2 uses an open ring design without a skirt. Start here if your priority is a simple, economical galvanized round bale feeder for cattle. View the R2.
R1: A Solid Sheet-Metal Skirt
The R1 adds a galvanized sheet-metal skirt to help contain hay around the base. It is a useful option when you want more hay containment than an unskirted ring provides. View the R1.
R3: A 4x4 Wire Skirt
The R3 uses a 4x4 welded-wire skirt to help contain hay while allowing drainage through the mesh. Compare it with the R1 if you are deciding between a wire skirt and a solid skirt. View the R3 or watch our 4x4 skirted feeder video.
R6: A Hay Saver With Chain-Basket Suspension
The R6 Heavy Duty Hay Saver uses a chain basket to hold the bale off the ground. Cattle feed from the bottom of the bale, helping reduce the pulling and scattering of hay. It is designed for cattle and can also be used with horned cattle.
Choose the R6 when: Reducing hay waste is a main priority and you want a feeder that supports the bale above the ground. View the R6 Heavy Duty Hay Saver.
Watch R6 Hay Saver cattle round bale feeder on YouTube.
Check These Details Before Ordering
- Your animals: Consider their size, horns, and access to the feeder. The feeding height and openings need to fit the animals using it.
- Your feed: Decide whether you need a grain trough, a hay rack, or a round bale feeder.
- Your feeding area: Allow room for the feeder, animal access, cleaning, and loading hay or feed.
- Your group size: Plan enough feeding space and feeder locations for the animals you feed together.
- Your order: Check the package quantity, dimensions, current price, and delivery details on the product listing.
Need Help Choosing Your Livestock Feeder?
Tell us what animals you are feeding, how many you have, what feed or hay you use, and where the feeder will go. We can help you compare the options for your setup.
Browse all Red River Arenas feeder styles, watch more of our feeder videos, or call 1-800-343-1026.
FREE SHIPPING to the lower 48 states on the feeder packages shown on our product pages. See each listing for package quantities and delivery details.