A 4 ft keyhole hay feeder for four goats, a plywood bin with four head holes in the front, on a pressure-treated base.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
4Goats
48 x 18 x 38 inSize
4, 12 in apartKeyholes
3 to 5 hrBuild time
$120.13Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
2
2x4
33 3/4
Post
inside the front corners
1
2x4 PT
48
Base front
on edge
1
2x4 PT
48
Base back
on edge
1
2x4 PT
15
Base left
on edge
1
2x4 PT
15
Base right
on edge
Cut list: sheet goods
Part
Stock
Size
Note
Floor
3/4 ply
48 x 18
the hay bin floor
Front
3/4 ply
48 x 33 3/4
keyholes cut with a jigsaw
Back
1/2 ply
48 x 33 3/4
Left end
1/2 ply
17 1/4 x 33 3/4
Right end
1/2 ply
17 1/4 x 33 3/4
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
2x4 x 8 ft
Post 1 33 3/4Post 2 33 3/4
2x4 PT x 12 ft
Base front 48Base back 48Base left 15Base right 15
Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out
Sheet 1: 1/2 in plywood, 4 x 8 ftSheet 2: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Shopping list $120.13 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
2x4x8 stud, SPF
Home Depot
1
$4.15
$4.15
see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x12 ground-contact pressure-treated
Home Depot
1
$7.18
$7.18
see lumber cutting diagram
15/32 in (1/2 in) sheathing plywood, 4x8 sheet
Lowe's
1
$32.26
$32.26
see sheet cutting diagrams
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheet
Lowe's
1
$46.57
$46.57
see sheet cutting diagrams
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb box
Home Depot
1
$29.97
$29.97
Total before tax
$120.13
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Build the base from pressure-treated 2x4s on edge and screw the 3/4 in floor on top.
Cut the front from the sheet layout. Mark four keyholes 12 in apart, each a 7 in circle with a 3 in slot below it, and cut them with a jigsaw. Sand every edge.
Screw the two 2x4 posts inside the front corners and the front to them and to the base.
Screw the ends and then the back on, every 6 in.
Fill the bin from the top and let the goats put their heads through the keyholes.
Before you start
One keyhole per goat at 12 in apart. 4 holes feed 4 goats. For horned goats cut the circles 8 in across.
Set the feeder at the back of the pen or a fence line so goats do not stand on it. Goats waste hay from an open rack; the keyhole keeps it off the ground.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.