Livestock Feeder

I wanted to create a feeder for my show lambs and goats using minimal materials. I raise lambs and goats for the county fair and I needed a new feeder for them. This project was designed using fusion 360. The feeder needed to hang on the side of my fence panel so I could feed them grain. I built this out of one 4 x1 board so the material doesn't cost much. It's a handy design to use around the farm.

Materials

• 1" x 4" x 12' Plank (I used Pine)
• Liquid Nail Adhesive
• 2 inch Deck Screws
• 150 and 220 grit Sandpaper
• Olive Oil
• Any Stain (optional)
• Paint Brush/Foam Brush (optional with stain)
• Paper Towels (optional with stain)
• PVC Pipe Piece (optional)

Tools

• Pattern Template
• Drill
• Drill Press (optional)
• 2 1/4 in. hole saw
• 1/8 in. Drill Bit
• Impact Driver with driver bit
• Caulk Gun
• Hand saw
• Miter saw
• Table saw
• Pencil
• Sander

Measure your board and mark it at three feet. Cut it on the miter saw. Cut 3 pieces that are 3 Ft. each on the saw. Then adjust your table saw to cut at a 30 degree angle and cut the very edge of two of your boards, leaving one of your 3 ft boards uncut. The tip of your saw should barely come above the corner of your board. This will create the angled sides of your feeder. Leave 1 of your three foot pieces alone, it will become your back plate.

I created a stencil in Fusion 360 to use for marking and cutting my side boards that will hang on the fence. Print the stencil, included as a pdf. When you print it sure make sure to go into the print settings and change the scale to true size or 100%. On the back of the stencil rub the outline with a pencil. For this piece you will use the remaining piece of wood you have left after cutting your 3 pieces above. Now put the stencil right side up on the remainder of your board and trace the outline with the pencil twice avoiding any imperfections in your lumber. This will mark your board for cutting. You traced it twice, and will cut two pieces from the stencil.

Cut the board on the straight ends of each marked stencil using a miter saw. This is the back end of the stencil and is a simple straight 90 degree cut. On the front edge of the stencil the cut is angled. It needs to be a 30 degree cut off the bottom as pictured in the stencil. Using a hand saw cut the smaller angle on the top of the board.

Using a 2 1/4 inch hole saw you will drill out the center round part of your stencil. Make sure you line your hole saw up before drilling. It is best done secured with clamps on a drill press but could be secured with clamps and drilled with a regular drill. Then use a miter saw and carefully finish the cuts from the outside of your stencil into the hole. This will complete the cutting of your ends.

Using 150 grit sand paper sand all your surfaces. One suggestion for sanding the circular part of the end piece, is to tape your sand paper on to a pvc pipe so it can sand in a circle. This is of course optional and you can sand by hand. I also used a palm sander to sand my pieces. Sand all the cuts of your wood so your animals don't get splinters.

You are now ready to assemble the feeder. This step is easiest to do with two people, so one person can hold and one person can drill. It can be done by one person by the use of clamps if needed. Start by assembling the back panel to the bottom panel. For each piece you will first apply liquid nail to the cut surface. Then put your two pieces together. Hold or clamp together. Pre drill holes using an 1/8 inch drill bit from the back into the side of the bottom piece. Drill holes on each end, then add screws on each end. Then add 3 evenly spaced screws to the center of that attachment. Next add the side hooks. Repeat the same steps above using liquid nails, pre drilling, and adding screws. Before you attach make sure you line up the front angle on the bottom piece with the front angle on the hook so the final assembly and fitting step will fit. You will do this for both end pieces.

Once the back and sides are assembled, you are ready to add your front panel. Line your front board up with the angles on the rest of your feeder. On this board you will start by pre drilling one hole on each end on the top of the feeder. Now apply a screw in each end. Pivot the board outward so the bottom lip is exposed. Now lay a bead of liquid nail on the angled side of the bottom board. Pivot the front panel back into place. Pre drill and apply screws to at least 3 more places equal distance along the front panel.

Now sand your entire feeder using 220 grit sand paper. You can hand sand or use a palm sander. Make sure everything is smooth so your animals do not get slivers.

Staining is optional. I chose to stain my feeder using a bit of left over stain I had. I used a brush and followed manufacturers directions. Make sure it is a non toxic stain.

Sealing your wood should be done whether or not you stained it. An inexpensive olive oil works as a non toxic sealant for this project. It is food safe and will not harm your animals while protecting the wood. Apply liberally and let absorb. You may reapply several coats if you choose for better absorption. If your feeder gets weathered or dry you can reapply oil at any time. There are other non toxic sealers that can be used but olive oil is simple and readily available.

You are now ready to hang your feeder. You goats/sheep will thank you forever more. But hey, they are goats, so they will thank you forever more anytime there is grain involved.