Auto Feeder for Pigs: 7 Best Automatic Feeding Systems

Feeding time is one of the biggest recurring labor costs on any pig operation, whether you’re raising two 4-H hogs in a backyard pen or managing a full grow-finish herd. An auto feeder for pigs — sometimes called a self-feeder, hog feeder, or gravity feeder — removes the twice-or-three-times-daily bucket run by keeping a steady, protected supply of feed available on the pigs’ own schedule.

Most auto feeders for pigs fall into two broad categories: gravity-fed self-feeders, which use a hopper and adjustable gate to let pigs access feed on demand, and timed electric dispensers, which release a measured portion of feed at scheduled intervals. Both solve the same core problem — getting feed into the pig instead of onto the ground — but they do it differently, and the right choice depends heavily on herd size, budget, and how hands-on you want feeding to be.

Choosing poorly here is expensive. According to feeder management research from Purdue Extension, roughly 3.4% of feed is wasted at the feeder even under normal conditions — and a poorly designed or adjusted feeder can push that number much higher, quietly eating into your feed budget all season. Below, we cover what an auto feeder for pigs actually does, then walk through 7 real, currently available options spanning starter creep feeders to commercial-grade systems.

What Is an Auto Feeder for Pigs?

An auto feeder for pigs is a device that delivers feed automatically, either continuously through gravity and an adjustable gate or on a timed schedule, so pigs have consistent access to feed without requiring feed to be hand-delivered at every meal. These feeders range from small single-door units suitable for a couple of backyard hogs to large multi-station commercial feeders designed for dozens of animals at once.

Quick Comparison: Auto Feeders for Pigs at a Glance

Even at a glance, this spread makes the shape of the category clear: the Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder anchors the entry-level end for small backyard setups, while the Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder represents commercial-grade equipment built to run for decades. All seven picks, including three not shown above, are covered in detail below.

💬 Bookmark this guide — you’ll want to compare capacity and price again once you know your herd size.

Top 7 Auto Feeders for Pigs

Here are 7 real, currently available auto feeders for pigs, ranging from small starter units to commercial-scale systems.

1. Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder — best for backyard hogs and 4-H projects

The Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder is a 50-pound capacity, heavy-gauge steel feeder built specifically as an entry point for small-batch pig raising. It’s compact — 19 inches long, 12.75 inches wide, and 29.5 inches tall — and ships fully assembled, which matters if you’re setting up a pen for the first time and don’t want to add feeder assembly to the list.

What most first-time buyers overlook is how well this size actually matches a 4-H or FFA project or a couple of backyard hogs: a 50-pound capacity means more frequent refills than a larger unit, but it also means the feeder is light enough to move and clean easily, and it’s genuinely sized for two to four growing pigs rather than a full herd. Based on comparing this to other starter feeders, the deep trough with a feed-saver lip is a small but meaningful detail — it catches feed that would otherwise be pushed out and wasted on the ground.

Reviews consistently highlight the durable, heavy-gauge steel build and the rear-loading top door as practical touches that make daily refilling faster, with the main tradeoff being the smaller capacity requiring more frequent trips to the feed bin than larger units.

Pros:

• ✅ Compact 50 lb capacity, ideal for small pig groups
• ✅ Heavy-gauge steel construction resists daily wear
• ✅ Ships fully assembled, ready to mount or set in the pen

Cons:

• ❌ Requires more frequent refilling than larger feeders
• ❌ Not sized for herds beyond a handful of hogs

Priced around $50–$80, the Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder is the clear starting point for anyone raising their first pigs or running a small youth livestock project.

2. Little Giant Double Door Hog Feeder — best all-around gravity feeder

Stepping up from the single-door model, the Little Giant Double Door Hog Feeder doubles the capacity to 100 pounds while keeping the same heavy-gauge steel construction, feed-saver trough lip, and rear-loading top door. At 24.25 inches long and 35.75 inches tall, it’s still manageable for one person to move and set up, but it comfortably serves a larger group than the single-door version.

What the spec sheet doesn’t fully convey is how much the two separate feed doors change day-to-day management — with two independent doors, you can section off part of the trough for wiring open during the early “starting pigs” phase, when young pigs are still learning to find and use the feeder, without exposing the entire capacity to weather and pests at once. On paper, this is simply a bigger version of the single-door unit, but in practice, the dual-door design gives you more flexibility for staggered feeding or splitting a pen.

Aggregated reviews frequently describe this as the go-to “automatic hog feeder for two pigs,” with owners specifically noting how much time it saves compared to hand-feeding twice daily, and a smaller number of reviewers wishing the trough lip were slightly deeper for very messy eaters.

Pros:

• ✅ 100 lb capacity roughly doubles refill intervals over the single-door model
• ✅ Two independent feed doors add flexible pen management
• ✅ Same durable, heavy-gauge steel build as the smaller version

Cons:

• ❌ Bulkier and heavier to relocate than the single-door model
• ❌ Trough lip could be deeper for exceptionally messy eaters

At $90–$140, the Little Giant Double Door Hog Feeder is the sensible default for most backyard and small-farm setups feeding two to six pigs.

3. Behlen Country 1-1/2 Bushel Poly Pig Creep Feeder — best for piglets and creep feeding

Creep feeding — offering solid feed to nursing piglets before they’re fully weaned — gives young pigs a head start on solid food intake and eases the transition off the sow. The Behlen Country 1-1/2 Bushel Poly Pig Creep Feeder is purpose-built for this stage, with a smooth poly hopper that resists rust and is easy to sanitize, paired with a galvanized steel lid for weather protection.

What most buyers overlook is the adjustable feed flow panel, which lets you precisely control how much feed is available to very young piglets — too much access too early can lead to waste and digestive upset, while too little slows the transition to solid food. Based on comparing this to steel creep feeders, the poly construction here is a genuine advantage specifically for young animals, since smooth poly is easier to keep sanitary than seamed steel, and hygiene matters more at the piglet stage than at any other point in production.

Reviews consistently praise how easy the poly hopper is to clean between litters, a detail that matters more than it might seem, since maintaining sanitary feeding equipment is directly tied to reducing disease transmission between groups of young pigs.

Pros:

• ✅ Adjustable feed flow panel controls piglet intake precisely
• ✅ Smooth poly hopper is easy to sanitize between litters
• ✅ Galvanized lid protects feed from weather

Cons:

• ❌ 1.5-bushel capacity is too small for older, growing pigs
• ❌ Not intended as a long-term feeder past the creep stage

Typically priced around $100–$150, the Behlen Country Poly Pig Creep Feeder fills a specific but important gap that general-purpose hog feeders don’t address well.

4. VEVOR Hog Feeder Double Door — best budget option for larger groups

The VEVOR Hog Feeder Double Door offers a 3.7-bushel capacity — roughly enough to feed up to 8 hogs between refills — in a heavy-duty steel double-door design, at a price point noticeably below comparable capacity from more established brands. It functions as a multipurpose trough creep feeder as well, making it flexible enough to use across multiple growth stages.

Here’s what to weigh: VEVOR’s pricing advantage generally comes from a leaner, less-refined build than legacy brands like Little Giant or Sioux Steel, so while the core function — protecting feed from weather and pests while dispensing it on demand — works as intended, buyers report slightly less polish in fit and finish than pricier alternatives. For anyone scaling up from a starter feeder without jumping straight to commercial-grade equipment, this represents a genuinely useful middle step.

Aggregated reviews highlight the generous capacity relative to price as the standout value proposition, with the double-door design allowing feeding for a larger group without the refill frequency of smaller single-door units.

Pros:

• ✅ 3.7-bushel capacity feeds up to 8 hogs between refills
• ✅ Heavy-duty steel construction at a competitive price
• ✅ Doubles as a creep feeder for younger pigs

Cons:

• ❌ Fit and finish trail more established livestock equipment brands
• ❌ Legs and frame require staking down to prevent tipping

At $140–$160, the VEVOR Hog Feeder Double Door delivers meaningful capacity for growing herds without the price jump to commercial-grade steel feeders.

5. VEVOR Hog Feeder Single Door — best compact budget option

For smaller groups, the VEVOR Hog Feeder Single Door offers a 2.2-bushel capacity — enough for up to 5 hogs — in the same heavy-duty steel construction as its double-door sibling, at a lower price point that makes it a genuine budget alternative to brand-name starter feeders.

What most buyers overlook is that this size sits in an interesting middle ground between a dedicated piglet creep feeder and a full-size grower feeder — it’s large enough to carry a small group of pigs through most of the growing period without daily refills, but compact enough to move between pens as groups are reorganized. Based on comparing this to the Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder, the VEVOR offers roughly similar utility at a comparable or slightly lower price, making brand loyalty and long-term durability track record the main differentiator between the two.

Reviews consistently note straightforward assembly and a solid initial impression, with a smaller number of buyers flagging the same fit-and-finish gap relative to premium brands seen across VEVOR’s livestock equipment line.

Pros:

• ✅ 2.2-bushel capacity suits groups of up to 5 hogs
• ✅ Heavy-duty steel trough and doors
• ✅ Competitively priced against comparable starter feeders

Cons:

• ❌ Single door limits sectioned feeding flexibility
• ❌ Long-term durability track record is shorter than legacy brands

Priced around $70–$90, the VEVOR Hog Feeder Single Door is a solid budget-conscious alternative for anyone starting out with a small group of pigs.

6. Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder — best for large herds and commercial operations

At the opposite end of the spectrum from starter feeders, the Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder is a 60-bushel commercial unit built from 12-gauge galvanized steel, with 12 individually scalloped feeding stations sized to a hog’s natural jowl shape and 12 rugged, individually replaceable poly doors that keep feed protected until a pig noses one open.

What the spec sheet doesn’t fully convey is how much the trough geometry itself reduces waste at this scale — the sloped, contoured design guides dragged feed back toward the center rather than letting it collect and spoil in dead zones, which matters enormously when you’re managing feed costs across dozens of animals rather than a handful. On paper, this is simply a much bigger feeder, but in practice, the engineering behind waste reduction and durability is what justifies the price gap over smaller units — Sioux Steel has built this style of feeder for decades, and the construction reflects equipment meant to run for the life of an operation, not a season.

Reviews and dealer feedback consistently describe this as some of the toughest hog feeding equipment on the market, built to withstand constant rooting, head-banging, and rough daily use from a full-grown herd, with the individually replaceable doors specifically called out as a smart long-term maintenance feature.

Pros:

• ✅ 60-bushel capacity serves large herds with far fewer refills
• ✅ 12-gauge galvanized steel built to last decades
• ✅ Individually replaceable poly doors simplify long-term upkeep

Cons:

• ❌ Significant upfront investment compared to smaller feeders
• ❌ Ships on a pallet and requires assembly

At roughly $1,900–$2,400, the Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder is a serious commitment, but it’s the pick for anyone running a large enough herd that feeder durability and waste reduction pay for themselves over time.

7. Quick Feed QFS Automatic Electronic Feeder — best timed electric dispenser

Unlike the gravity-fed feeders above, the Quick Feed QFS Automatic Electronic Feeder dispenses measured portions of feed on a programmable timer rather than leaving feed continuously available. It holds up to 50 pounds of pellets or grain and can be set to dispense anywhere from 1 to 12 times per day, in portions ranging from 1 to 5 cups per feeding, plugging into a standard 110-volt outlet with battery backup memory in case of a power interruption.

What most buyers overlook is that timed feeding isn’t just about labor savings — it changes how pigs eat. Rather than having feed continuously available, pigs on a timed schedule eat in more defined meal windows, which some smaller-scale and show-pig operations prefer for managing growth rate and body condition more precisely than free-choice gravity feeding allows. Based on comparing this to gravity feeders, the tradeoff is clear: you gain scheduling precision and portion control, but you introduce a mechanical and electrical component that has to keep working, unlike a purely gravity-fed system with no moving parts to fail.

Reviews consistently praise reliable performance even through cold weather, with owners specifically noting the feeder held its programming through winter conditions without issue, though a recurring theme is the importance of protecting the unit’s housing from curious animals and wildlife that may attempt to access or damage it.

Pros:

• ✅ Programmable timer controls both frequency and portion size
• ✅ Battery memory backup protects your schedule during power outages
• ✅ Suitable for pigs alongside other small livestock and pets

Cons:

• ❌ Mechanical and electrical components can fail, unlike gravity feeders
• ❌ Requires a nearby power outlet or dedicated wiring

Typically priced around $150–$220, the Quick Feed QFS Automatic Electronic Feeder is the right call for anyone who wants precise, scheduled control over feeding rather than continuous free-choice access.

Product Comparison at a Glance

Looking at the table above, a clear pattern emerges: gravity feeders dominate this category because they’re mechanically simple and reliable, scaling from the 50-pound Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder all the way up to the 60-bushel Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder. The Quick Feed QFS Automatic Electronic Feeder stands apart as the only timed option, trading gravity feeding’s simplicity for scheduling precision.

How to Choose the Right Auto Feeder for Pigs

1. Match capacity to herd size, not aspiration. A 50 lb feeder like the Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder is right for a couple of pigs — buying commercial-scale capacity like the Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder for two backyard hogs means paying for capacity you won’t use.
2. Consider the growth stage you’re feeding. Nursing piglets need a creep feeder like Behlen Country, not a full-size grower feeder sized for 250-pound hogs.
3. Decide between gravity and timed feeding. Gravity feeders like Little Giant or VEVOR have no moving parts to fail; the Quick Feed QFS Automatic Electronic Feeder offers scheduling control at the cost of mechanical complexity.
4. Budget for the whole herd’s growth, not just today. A single-door starter feeder that fits two piglets now may be undersized in eight weeks — the Little Giant Double Door Hog Feeder or VEVOR Hog Feeder Double Door offer more headroom.
5. Factor in long-term durability if you’re scaling up. For herds that will run for years, the heavier investment in something like Sioux Steel often pays for itself through reduced waste and replacement costs.
6. Check feeder space per pig. Extension research generally recommends one feeder space for roughly every 9–16 pigs in a pen — undersized feeder access drives fighting and feed waste regardless of which product you choose.
7. Weigh weatherproofing for your setup. Outdoor pens need feeders with solid pest and moisture protection, which is a strength of doored designs like Little Giant and VEVOR as well as Sioux Steel‘s replaceable poly doors.

Getting Started: Setting Up Your First Auto Feeder for Pigs

Setting up a new auto feeder for pigs starts with placement. Position the feeder on stable, relatively dry ground, ideally with some cover from direct rain if it’s outdoors, and confirm it’s secured or staked so it can’t be tipped or rooted out of place by curious pigs — a real risk with lighter feeders like the VEVOR Hog Feeder Double Door if it isn’t anchored.

For gravity feeders, the initial adjustment matters more than most first-time owners expect. Extension guidance suggests adjusting the feed gate so roughly 50% of the trough pan is covered with feed when flowing — too open, and pigs waste feed pushing it out; too restricted, and pigs spend excessive time and energy competing for access. Check this adjustment weekly as pigs grow, since their feeding behavior and appetite change substantially between the starter and finishing stages.

If you’re starting with the Quick Feed QFS Automatic Electronic Feeder, budget extra time for calibration: run the feeder through 3–5 dispensing cycles and physically measure the output before trusting the schedule, since portion accuracy can vary with feed type and moisture content. For any feeder, especially one being introduced to young or newly weaned pigs, consider wiring the feed door open for the first several days so pigs learn to associate the feeder with food before relying on it exclusively.

A common first-setup mistake is overfilling a new feeder right away — start with a partial fill so you can observe how quickly pigs empty it and adjust your refill schedule accordingly, rather than guessing at capacity needs from day one.

✨ Ready to cut down on daily feeding chores? Check current pricing and availability on the picks above before your next farm supply run. 🐖

Real-World Scenarios: Matching the Feeder to Your Operation

The first-time 4-H or FFA family: Raising one or two market hogs for a season calls for simplicity and low upfront cost. The Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder or VEVOR Hog Feeder Single Door cover this need directly, without paying for capacity or durability a single season doesn’t require.

The small farm scaling from a handful of pigs to a real herd: Someone moving from two or three pigs to six or eight benefits most from a mid-capacity double-door unit like the Little Giant Double Door Hog Feeder or VEVOR Hog Feeder Double Door, both of which extend refill intervals without the investment of commercial equipment.

The breeding operation with regular litters: Anyone managing sows and litters on an ongoing basis needs a dedicated creep feeder for piglets — the Behlen Country 1-1/2 Bushel Poly Pig Creep Feeder solves this stage specifically, which general-purpose grower feeders handle poorly.

The established operation running a full herd: Farms managing dozens of hogs at once get real return on investment from commercial-grade equipment like the Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder, where waste reduction and multi-decade durability offset the higher upfront cost.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is buying based on price per unit rather than capacity per dollar — a cheaper feeder that requires daily refilling for a mid-sized herd can end up costing more in labor than a larger unit like the Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder would have saved over the same period.

A second frequent error is leaving a gravity feeder’s gate too open, which lets pigs push feed out onto the ground; Extension research attributes much of this waste to fighting at the feeder rather than pure spillage, so adjusting flow and providing adequate feeder space per pig matters as much as the feeder itself. A third mistake is skipping regular feeder maintenance — checking for leaks, tightening loosened doors, and repairing damaged troughs — since even small ongoing losses compound significantly over months of daily use.

Finally, many first-time buyers underestimate how quickly pigs outgrow starter feeders; a capacity that comfortably serves piglets can become undersized within weeks as growing pigs eat considerably more, so plan your next capacity step before you actually need it.

Auto Feeder for Pigs vs. Hand Feeding

The core trade-off is upfront cost versus long-term labor. Hand feeding requires no equipment investment but demands consistent daily attention, and inconsistent feeding schedules can affect growth uniformity across a group. An auto feeder for pigs shifts that cost forward into equipment, but pays it back through labor savings and, in most cases, reduced feed waste — which is exactly why the category has become standard even on small operations.

Safety, Sanitation, and Best Practices

Feed storage and feeder hygiene matter as much as the feeder itself. According to a USDA NRCS technical guide on swine feed and animal management, well-managed feeding equipment and storage directly support both feed efficiency and herd health, while poorly maintained systems increase the risk of spoilage and contamination. Regularly cleaning troughs, checking for mold after wet weather, and keeping feed dry between refills all protect the investment you’ve made in the feeder itself.

Feeder space is also a genuine welfare and efficiency issue, not just a capacity number. Research summarized by Purdue Extension notes that most feed waste among grower pigs traces back to fighting at the feeder, and recommends roughly one feeder space for every 9–16 pigs in a pen to reduce that competition. For farms formulating their own feeding programs around specific feeder setups, University of Minnesota Extension’s guidance on swine diets is a useful resource for aligning feeder capacity and adjustment with your herd’s actual growth stage and nutrient needs.

Problem → Solution: Fixing Common Roadblocks

Problem: Your feeder is being emptied too fast, requiring daily refills. Solution: Step up to a larger-capacity unit like the Little Giant Double Door Hog Feeder or VEVOR Hog Feeder Double Door rather than continuing to overwork a small starter feeder.

Problem: You’re seeing feed wasted on the ground around the feeder. Solution: Tighten the feed gate adjustment so roughly half the trough pan is covered, and confirm adequate feeder space per pig — a feeder isn’t necessarily broken, just misadjusted or undersized for the group.

Problem: Piglets aren’t transitioning well to solid food. Solution: Introduce a dedicated creep feeder like the Behlen Country Poly Pig Creep Feeder with its adjustable flow panel, rather than relying on an adult-sized grower feeder too early.

Problem: You want more control over exactly when and how much pigs eat. Solution: Switch from continuous gravity feeding to a scheduled system like the Quick Feed QFS Automatic Electronic Feeder.

Problem: Your current feeder is being damaged by rooting and rough use. Solution: Move to heavier-gauge commercial equipment like the Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder, built specifically to withstand daily abuse from a full-grown herd.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

An auto feeder for pigs isn’t just a convenience — it’s one of the highest-leverage purchases you can make for herd management, directly affecting feed waste, labor time, and how consistently your pigs actually eat. The right choice depends almost entirely on scale and growth stage: the Little Giant Single Door Hog Feeder and VEVOR Hog Feeder Single Door cover small starter setups, the Little Giant Double Door Hog Feeder and VEVOR Hog Feeder Double Door handle mid-sized groups, the Behlen Country Poly Pig Creep Feeder solves the specific challenge of nursing piglets, the Sioux Steel Supreme Hog Feeder is built for herds that will run for years, and the Quick Feed QFS Automatic Electronic Feeder offers scheduling precision that gravity systems can’t match.

Start by being honest about your current herd size and where it’s headed over the next season — that single question narrows this list quickly, and getting feeder capacity right the first time saves both money and daily hassle.

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