# What is this … thing (probably has something to do with livestock)?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 6, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408 "2026-01-06T19:33:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408/1 "2026-01-06T19:33:32Z")

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What is this? There are a few for sale on the side of the road on my way to and from work (Salem, Missouri, USA). I imagine it has some agricultural purpose, as lots of folks around here raise chickens, turkeys, goats, etc.

> **[IMG 2646 hosted at ImgBB](https://ibb.co/MxLvtKc3)**
>
> Image IMG 2646 hosted on ImgBB

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**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408/2 "2026-01-06T19:36:25Z")

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That looks like a feeder to me. Basically, a high capacity food trough.

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**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408/3 "2026-01-06T20:20:27Z")

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Yep, [used for feeding cattle.](https://www.hirschequipment.com/read-more-about--feeders) Or also for feeding deer to illegally “beef up” your hunting grounds.

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**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408/4 "2026-01-06T20:33:33Z")

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A “self-feeder”. The design looks like you put granular feed through the top (where that walkway-looking thing on the roof is) into a storage compartment which is behind that visible wall. And the feed comes out the bottom of the storage bin at the bottom of that wall into the troughs.

Rather like a severely oversized bird feeder.

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**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408/5 "2026-01-06T22:26:55Z")

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> [@TruCelt](#):
>
> Or also for feeding deer to illegally “beef up” your hunting grounds.

In my state (Ohio), it’s not illegal to put food out to bait deer during the hunting season. And I believe it’s not unlawful to feed deer at any other time.

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**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408/6 "2026-01-06T22:30:55Z")

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> [@gnoitall](#):
>
> Rather like a severely oversized bird feeder.

Not if you have one of these.

> **[Prehistoric Chicken Terror](https://www.the-scientist.com/prehistoric-chicken-terror-37781)**
>
> Paleontologists describe a new species of birdlike dinosaur, and it’s pretty terrifying.

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**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-probably-has-something-to-do-with-livestock/1026408/7 "2026-01-12T13:04:57Z")

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> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> Not if you have one of these.

As shown in that nature documentary, _Mysterious Island_

> ```auto
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Su33w-G4_4
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/137385896932362/posts/730065027664443/
> 
> ```