Rusty feeder solutions needed

We have aquired a free-standing galvanised sheep hay feeder that has a grain feed pan on the bottom that is covered in rust. It had some feed gunk built up on it that prevented it from draining. Does anyone know of a solution or treatment I can do to this rust that is going to be safe for our sheep to use? I'm going to use it mainly for hay, but they will still eat bits of hay that fall onto the rusty pan.

Apologies ahead of time for the ice in the photo, but we just got hit with a storm. You can see the rust underneath.

A hot water pressure washer would clean it up safely.
If you do not have one, most car washes almost always have a handheld wand.
Toss that feeder into the pickup and wash them both at the same time.

Great tip, thank you!

If the pressure spray doesn't work - try a soak in molasses + water.  The molasses should be from the feed store, not the grocery, as it needs to still contain whatever magic ingredient gets removed for human consumption.    Guess you'll have to block the drain hole... and give it a good rinse afterwards.
The molasses/water info. appears on the internet for further info.

After that, beeswax or any food safe oil will seal out oxygen, though in an outdoor context, it probably won't stay on long. An oil polymerized with heat would last longer, but still need watching and frequent retreatment. Some kind of paint could last longer, if that fits with your values. If you paint, be careful to find something safe for food contact.

After that, beeswax or any food safe oil will seal out oxygen, though in an outdoor context, it probably won't stay on long

What about fish oil spray?   Local hardware had spray cans (sorry if that doesn't fit with the ethos)  of fish oil - highly recommended for outdoor situations, it's reputed to never dry out completely - a bit like linseed oil.  

I really appreciate these ideas

If you are drowning in lemons - lemon juice and salt, a scrubbing brush and elbow grease also works, but I've only used that approach on my weaving reed, when I didn't have a container big enough for a molasses soak.  Banned from using the bath!  

Jill Dyer wrote: What about fish oil spray?   Local hardware had spray cans (sorry if that doesn't fit with the ethos)  of fish oil - highly recommended for outdoor situations, it's reputed to never dry out completely - a bit like linseed oil.  

A non drying oil, or a vegetable based oil that gets tacky when it oxidizes, will probably hold onto the surface better. It will also hold onto stray particles better. Hay dust, feed dust , manure dust, dust dust. Hair too, and probably wool. Probably better for the metal than rusting, but may take some solvent if you ever want to remove it. Doesn't have to be a super harsh solvent; soap and water, lemon juice, vinegar, elbow grease are all worth trying before going for harsh or expensive stuff.

I think you're looking at a trade off in where you spend your time and money and effort. It can be in the future, replacing that metal after it rusts away. Consider what kind of steel it is and how fast it rusts. What can it be replaced with to avoid a repeat? Stainless? Wood?

It can be in maintaining a finish that excludes oxygen, so it won't rust. Oils and fats can be cheap, and some of them harden to a slick, hard, dry suface. Great, but weather is the enemy. Clean, inspect, reapply as needed.

It can be in using a non drying oil or one that gets sticky. The effort will be inspecting and maybe reapplying from time to time. If some of it scuffs off, a respray should reseal. A surface will form that's hard to clean but pretty durable. Brushing it clean will be difficult. If you ever want to clean it off and start new, that'll be a chore. But I expect  it will help protect your metal, provided it doesn't find a way to trap water and/ or salt.

I don't know anything about feeding sheep, will rust harm them if they ingest a little?

Could you put a wooden "floor" over the rust, with a hole to let the water drain out over the drain? The rust is still there, but the animals would not be eating the rust, it would be up against wood.

Having said that... a little rust doesn't hurt people, I can't imagine it would be all that bad for sheep... but I have also never raised sheep, so take that with a grain of salt.