A good mineral feeder for cattle is weatherproof, sits off the ground, holds loose mineral without letting rain in, and lets several cows eat at once. You can build one from a food-grade plastic barrel or a few sheets of lumber in an afternoon. Here is how, plus where to put it.
Why Cattle Need Free-Choice Mineral
Pasture and hay often lack enough calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and copper. A loose mineral mix, offered free-choice, helps support growth, fertility, and calf health. Cattle typically eat a few ounces per head per day, and the label on your mineral bag gives the target intake. Use a mineral made for cattle. Mixes with high copper can be toxic to sheep and goats, so keep those animals away from cattle feeders.
What You Need
- One clean, food-grade plastic barrel (never one that held chemicals or pesticides)
- A saw, drill, and lag bolts or heavy-duty screws
- Two sturdy runners or 4×4 posts to hold it off the ground
- A lid, sheet of metal, or half barrel to act as a rain cover
Step by Step: Barrel Feeder
- Cut the barrel in half lengthwise to make two troughs.
- Smooth the cut edges, with a file or sandpaper, so cattle cannot cut their tongues.
- Drill a few small drain holes in the low points so water can escape.
- Bolt each half to two runners so it sits 20 to 30 inches off the ground, a comfortable height for cows.
- Fasten a rain cover above it, leaving enough space for cattle to reach in. A half barrel turned over and mounted on posts works well.
- Fill it with enough mineral for a few days at first, so you can see how fast it goes.
Simple Wooden Option
Build a V-shaped or box trough from treated lumber and put a pitched roof over it. Seal joints, round off corners, and use galvanized fasteners that will not rust into the mineral.
Where to Put It
- Near water and shade, where cattle already gather.
- On high, well-drained ground, away from mud.
- Away from creeks, so it does not draw cattle to the bank.
- Roughly one feeder per 25 to 30 head, and move it occasionally to spread out grazing pressure.
Maintenance Tips
- Check weekly and refill before it runs empty.
- Throw away clumped, wet, or moldy mineral.
- Track how much the herd eats against the label’s target. If they eat much more or less, check the product and your forage with your extension agent.
If you prefer blocks, see our guide to cattle mineral blocks. For other homemade feeders, read how to make a cattle cake feeder.
Bottom Line
A food-grade barrel, a rain cover, and a raised frame make an affordable, long-lasting mineral feeder. Choose a cattle-specific mineral, place the feeder near water and shade, and ask your vet or extension agent which mineral program suits your pasture.
