How to Build a Salt Lick Holder

Many farm animals and wildlife benefit from access to a mineral or salt lick. Natural salt licks are available in nature, but farm owners may want to provide one to attract more wildlife to their land or supplement his herd's nutrition. Building a salt lick holder provides a mount for the lick and a roof to protect it from rain. It is mounted to a wood post at a height that is convenient for the animals to access.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • 4 by 4 inch wood post
  • Concrete bag
  • Miter saw
  • Skill saw
  • Drill
  • Measuring tape
  • Carpenter's square
  • Level
  • 8-foot long untreated 2 by 6 board
  • Sheet of 3/4-inch untreated plywood
  • 26 3-inch deck screws
  • 24 1 1/2-inch flat-head screws
  • Salt lick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dig a 1-foot wide hole 3 to 4 feet deep with a shovel. Insert the 4 by 4 inch wood post into the hole.

    • 2

      Mix the concrete with water as per the manufacture's directions on the bag and pour into the hole around the post. Use the level to position the post perfectly upright. Allow the concrete to dry for 24 hours. Back fill the top of the hole with top soil.

    • 3

      Mark the 2 by 6 every 12 inches with a pencil and measuring tape. Cut along the marked lines with the miter saw. These eight pieces make the sides of your two boxes.

    • 4

      Draw two 13 1/2-inch squares on the 3/4-inch plywood with a carpenter's square and pencil. Cut along the lines with a skill saw.

    • 5

      Align four 12-inch sections of 2 by 6 wood to make a perfect square. To accomplish this each piece of wood is attached on the inside on one end and the outside on the other. Fasten together with two 3-inch deck screws at each joint.

    • 6

      Lay one of the 3/4-inch plywood squares on top of the 2 by 6 box and fasten with twelve 1 1/2-inch screws. Repeat this process to build the second box using the four 12-inch sections of lumber and plywood top.

    • 7

      Hold one of the boxes on the 4 by 4 post, so that the plywood is on the bottom, and fasten to the post with six 3-inch wood screws. The height of the box from the ground depends on the type of animal you want to feed.

    • 8

      Hold the second box about 1 1/2 to 2 feet above the other box with the plywood facing upwards. Fasten to the 4 by 4 post with six 3-inch wood screws.

    • 9

      Insert the salt lick into the bottom box.