There’s something about making a feeder out of an old pallet that just hits that perfect homesteader nerve—the part of me that hates wasting things but loves pretending I’m on one of those DIY shows where people clap when it works. Except in my version, Josh mutters under his breath, and Ethan asks if he can use the power drill. Spoiler: he cannot.
The idea came after I priced out feeders online and nearly spit out my coffee. Fifty bucks for something I could build with scrap wood and stubbornness? No, thank you. So I dragged an old pallet out from behind the shed, brushed off the cobwebs, and got to work. Well, I say “work,” but really, it was me, a hammer, and a lot of trial and error. The goats watched the whole thing like a live comedy show.
The best part about a pallet feeder is it doesn’t have to be pretty—it just has to function. I used one of those smaller pallets (the ones that look less intimidating), flipped it upright, and cut a V shape in the front slats. Instant trough! A few screws, a handful of nails, and a few muttered words later, it was ready. Josh helped me prop it up against the fence, and we added some chicken wire to the front so hay doesn’t fall out like a confetti explosion.
When we filled it for the first time, the animals acted like I’d installed a five-star buffet. The goats dove in face-first, and the cows gave it the side-eye before realizing it wasn’t going anywhere. Even Ethan got excited, yelling, “It actually works!” which—if you’ve ever built something around a nine-year-old critic—felt like winning an award.
There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing the animals eat from something made by our own hands. A little wood, a little sweat, and zero dollars spent. Plus, it’s one less piece of junk sitting around the yard, which means I get to tell Josh, “See? I did need to keep that pallet.”
Now every time I walk by and see that feeder doing its job, I can’t help but grin. It’s imperfect, a little crooked, and covered in goat slobber—but it’s ours. And around here, that’s better than perfect.