Trough vs. Manger — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 24, 2024
Troughs are typically long, open containers for feeding or watering animals, while mangers are feed racks or boxes specifically for stabled livestock.
Difference Between Trough and Manger
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Troughs are usually constructed from materials like wood, metal, or plastic and are designed to be durable and easy to clean. They are commonly used in a variety of settings, including farming and gardening, to hold water or feed. On the other hand, mangers are often part of a stable's permanent structure, specifically designed to hold hay or fodder for horses and cattle.
A trough is generally simple in design, often rectangular and open-topped, suited for multiple animals to access simultaneously. Whereas mangers, sometimes integrated into a stable's architecture, may feature a more enclosed design, helping to minimize waste and control the feed portion for individual animals.
In functionality, troughs are versatile, serving not only as feeders but also as water containers for animals. On the other hand, mangers are primarily used for feeding solid foods and are less suitable for providing water.
The placement of troughs can be quite flexible; they are easily moved and positioned as needed across different locations in a farmyard or field. Conversely, mangers are typically fixed in one place, such as inside a barn or stable, making them less adaptable but sturdier.
Regarding maintenance, troughs often require regular cleaning to prevent the buildup of bacteria and algae, especially when used for water. Mangers, while also needing cleaning, generally require less frequent maintenance unless used for moist feeds, which can lead to mold.
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Comparison Chart
Usage
For water or feed
Primarily for feed
Material
Wood, metal, plastic
Often wood or metal
Design
Open, often portable
Part of stable structure, fixed
Flexibility
Easily relocated
Fixed, less versatile
Maintenance
Requires regular cleaning
Less frequent cleaning
Compare with Definitions
Trough
A long, open container for animals to drink or eat from.
The farmer filled the trough with fresh water for the cattle.
Manger
(Religious) The feeding trough of Jesus in nativity stories.
The children reenacted the nativity scene with a manger made of wood.
Trough
A channel used to convey or hold liquids.
The gardener installed a small trough to direct rainwater away from the path.
Manger
A rack or box in stables used to hold fodder.
The new manger was installed to ensure each horse had access to its feed.
Trough
An extended region of low atmospheric pressure.
The weather forecast predicted rain due to a trough moving across the area.
Manger
A symbolic item representing provision and sustenance.
The manger at the church display represents care and feeding.
Trough
A low or lowest point in a cycle.
The economy appears to be in a trough, with recovery expected next quarter.
Manger
A feed container fixed in a stable or barn.
He filled the manger with hay for the horses to eat overnight.
Trough
A low point or dip in a surface.
Snow accumulated in the troughs between the hills.
Manger
Part of stable equipment essential for feeding livestock.
Replacing the old wooden mangers with metal ones reduced food waste.
Trough
A long, narrow, generally shallow receptacle for holding water or feed for animals.
Manger
A manger or trough is a rack for fodder, or a structure or feeder used to hold food for animals. The word comes from the Old French mangier (meaning "to eat"), from Latin mandere (meaning "to chew").Mangers are mostly used in livestock raising and generally found at stables and farmhouses.
Trough
Any of various similar containers for domestic or industrial use, such as kneading or washing.
Manger
A long trough from which horses or cattle feed.
Trough
A gutter under the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater.
Manger
A trough or an open box in which feed for livestock is placed.
Trough
A long, narrow depression, as between waves or ridges.
Manger
A trough for animals to eat from.
Trough
A low point in a business cycle or on a statistical graph.
Manger
A trough or open box in which fodder is placed for horses or cattle to eat.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Trough
(Meteorology) An elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with a front.
Manger
The fore part of the deck, having a bulkhead athwart ships high enough to prevent water which enters the hawse holes from running over it.
Trough
(Physics) A minimum point in a wave or an alternating signal.
Manger
A container (usually in a barn or stable) from which cattle or horses feed
Trough
A long, narrow container, open on top, for feeding or watering animals.
One of Hank's chores was to slop the pigs' trough each morning and evening.
Trough
Any similarly shaped container.
Trough
A rectangular container used for washing or rinsing clothes.
Ernest threw his paint brushes into a kind of trough he had fashioned from sheet metal that he kept in the sink.
Trough
A short, narrow canal designed to hold water until it drains or evaporates.
There was a small trough that the sump pump emptied into; it was filled with mosquito larvae.
Trough
(Canada) A gutter under the eaves of a building; an eaves trough.
The troughs were filled with leaves and needed clearing.
Trough
A channel for conveying water or other farm liquids (such as milk) from place to place by gravity; any ‘U’ or ‘V’ cross-sectioned irrigation channel.
Trough
A long, narrow depression between waves or ridges; the low portion of a wave cycle.
The buoy bobbed between the crests and troughs of the waves moving across the bay.
The neurologist pointed to a troubling trough in the pattern of his brain-waves.
Trough
(economy) low turning point or a local minimum of a business cycle
Trough
(meteorology) A linear atmospheric depression associated with a weather front.
Trough
To eat in a vulgar style, as if from a trough.
He troughed his way through three meat pies.
Trough
A long, hollow vessel, generally for holding water or other liquid, especially one formed by excavating a log longitudinally on one side; a long tray; also, a wooden channel for conveying water, as to a mill wheel.
Trough
Any channel, receptacle, or depression, of a long and narrow shape; as, trough between two ridges, etc.
Trough
The transverse section of a cyclonic area where the barometric pressure, neither rising nor falling, has reached its lowest point.
Trough
A narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
Trough
A channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
Trough
A concave shape with an open top
Trough
A treasury for government funds
Trough
A long narrow shallow receptacle
Trough
A container (usually in a barn or stable) from which cattle or horses feed
Common Curiosities
Can a trough be used for something other than feeding animals?
Yes, troughs can also be used to hold or channel water and in various non-animal feeding contexts like gardening.
Are mangers and troughs made from the same materials?
Both can be made from materials like wood or metal, but troughs often also incorporate plastics.
Which is more mobile, a trough or a manger?
Troughs are generally more mobile and versatile compared to mangers, which are usually fixed.
What is a trough used for?
A trough is used to hold water or feed for animals.
What is the main purpose of a manger?
The main purpose of a manger is to hold feed, particularly hay or fodder, for stabled livestock.
What maintenance does a trough require?
Troughs require regular cleaning to avoid the buildup of bacteria and algae, especially if used for water.
Can a manger be used for watering animals?
Mangers are generally not suitable for watering, as they are designed to hold dry feed.
Is a manger difficult to clean?
Mangers can be easier to maintain unless used for moist feeds, which may require more frequent cleaning to prevent mold.
Why might a farmer choose a trough over a manger?
A farmer might choose a trough for its versatility and ease of relocation.
What historical significance does the manger have?
The manger is famously noted in Christian nativity stories as the crib of Jesus.
How does the design of a trough differ from that of a manger?
Troughs are typically open and simple in design, whereas mangers may be more enclosed to prevent feed spillage.
Can troughs be used in gardens?
Yes, troughs are commonly used in gardens to channel water or as planters.
What impact does the design of a manger have on livestock feeding?
The design of a manger helps reduce food waste by containing the feed within a confined space.
Which requires more frequent replacement, a trough or a manger?
Troughs might require more frequent replacement due to their exposure to the elements and versatile usage.
How are mangers integrated into stable designs?
Mangers are often built as part of the stable structure, either attached to the walls or built into them.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
