DIY Hay Feeder Plans Key Takeaways
- This DIY slat-and-wire feeder costs about $120 in lumber and hardware yet drops floor waste by 50 % compared with an open corner rack.
- Fully dimensioned CAD-style plans (download link below) turn “sketch on a napkin” into a pro finish.
- You need only basic tools: circular saw, drill/driver, staple gun.
- Add a welded-wire front panel for slow-feed pacing; horse stays nibbling, not stomping.
- Finish with lead-free exterior paint to avoid Prop 65 hazards.
Download the DIY Hay Feeder Plans (PDF)
1 Why Bother? The Math Behind 50 % Waste Reduction
Loose-flung flakes lose 2-3 lb a day in shreds and stomp. A slat feeder funnels every strand back toward the mouth, cutting waste to roughly 1 lb. At $0.15/lb hay, that’s $0.30 saved daily—$110 a year for one horse. Multiply by herd size and you’ll pay the lumber bill before summer.
2 DIY Hay Feeder Plans – Design Overview & Dimensions
Love the simplicity of a store-bought Metal Corner Hay Rack? Our DIY version keeps the angled throat but adds a welded-wire “slow feed” face. Core box measures 48″ L × 24″ W × 36″ H—fits a standard flake with air flow around all sides.
Tip: Swap 2×4 pine for cedar if your loafing shed stays damp; cedar shrugs off rot without chemical dip.
3 Materials & Hardware
- 2 × 4 lumber, pressure-treated or cedar (see PDF cut sheet)
- 1 × 2 battens (slat spacers)
- Welded-wire panel, 2″ × 4″ mesh
- 3″ exterior screws, 1″ galvanized staples
- Lead-free exterior paint or stain (Prop 65-safe)
Need mesh in a hurry? The rectangular saddle on your bale fork pairs great with a Dura-Tech Circular Hay Feeder as scrap source—cut one side panel for wire.
4 Tools Checklist For The DIY Hay Feeder Plans
| Must-have | Nice-to-have |
|---|---|
| Circular saw with 24-tooth blade | Pocket-hole jig for hidden joins |
| Drill/driver + #2 square bit | Countersink bit |
| Tape, square, pencil | Orbital sander |
If you’re short on saws, most lumber yards cut to length for $1 a piece—bring the PDF list.
5 Cost vs. Buying Off-the-Shelf
A welded-steel Round Bale Horse Feeder rings up at $510. Handy, heavy—but five times the DIY cost. Our wood build hits $120 and weighs under 60 lb, so one person can drag it to fresh ground.
| Option | Up-front | Waste Saved* | Pay-back |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Feeder | $120 | 1 lb/day | 400 days |
| Commercial Steel Ring | $510 | 3 lb/day (round bale) | 340 days |
*Based on typical field logs; numbers swing with horse appetite and weather.
6 Maintenance & Safety
Wipe the wire clean each muck-out. Check screw heads every month—tighten before snowy hay expands and loosens lumber. Re-seal paint each spring. No lead-based coatings: check label for Prop 65 compliance.
7 DIY Hay Feeder Plans FAQ
Can I scale the plan for minis?
Yes—shrink length to 36″, height to 26″, keep the 2″ mesh.
Will my shod horse snag a shoe?
The wire sits flush; no protruding edges. Always file sharp staple tips.
What if my horse flips everything?
Add 12″ angle-iron feet or stake two T-posts through the frame.
Pony eats too fast—ideas?
Swap the front panel to 1½″ mesh or overlay slow-feed netting.
Can I use pallet wood?
Not for legs; pallet stringers split under kicking force. Stick to solid 2×4s.