homestead.fyi / SLOWFEEDER

Slow Hay Feeder

A 4 x 2 ft plywood hay bin with a cut hog panel lid, so goats and sheep pull the hay through small holes.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
48 x 24 x 24 inSize
about 40 lbHolds
3 to 5 hrBuild time
$175.26Materials

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
Front elevation
Front elevation 48 in 25 1/2 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 24 in 25 1/2 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 48 in 24 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x448Rim frontflat
12x448Rim backflat
12x4 PT48Base fronton edge
12x4 PT48Base backon edge
32x4 PT21Base joiston edge

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Floor3/4 ply48 x 24
Front3/4 ply48 x 19 3/4
Back3/4 ply48 x 19 3/4
Left end1/2 ply22 1/2 x 19 3/4
Right end1/2 ply22 1/2 x 19 3/4

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x4 x 10 ft
Rim front 48Rim back 48
2x4 PT x 8 ft
Base front 48Base joist 1 21Base joist 2 21
2x4 PT x 8 ft
Base back 48Base joist 3 21

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 1/2 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Left end22 1/2 x 19 3/4Right end22 1/2 x 19 3/4
Sheet 2: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Floor48 x 24Front48 x 19 3/4Back48 x 19 3/4

Shopping list $175.26 checked / $0.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x4x10 stud, SPFHome Depot1$5.46$5.46see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot2$4.68$9.36see lumber cutting diagram
15/32 in (1/2 in) sheathing plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$32.26$32.26see sheet cutting diagrams
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$46.57$46.57see sheet cutting diagrams
Hog panel, 16 ft x 34 inTractor Supply1$33.99$33.99cut to fit; makes three lids
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot1$29.97$29.97
UV zip ties 11 in, 100 ct (also used for tie wire)Home Depot1$17.65$17.65
Total before tax$175.26
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

  1. Build the base from pressure-treated 2x4s on edge and screw the 3/4 in floor on top.
  2. Screw the front and back (3/4 in) and the two ends (1/2 in) around the floor, every 6 in.
  3. Cut a 16 ft hog panel to 42 x 18 in. Lay it on the rim and wire it down with tie wire, leaving the holes open.
  4. Fill through the holes or lift the panel, then set the feeder in a dry corner of the pen.

Before you start