A livestock feeder has a hopper, a feed outlet opening through the hopper for dispensing the feed, a feed trough operably positioned beneath the hopper for receiving the feed, and a broadcast spreader mechanism that includes a sling plate that is operably mounted to cover the feed outlet opening. The broadcast spreader mechanism has a motor for spinning the sling plate for broadcasting the feed outwardly when in operation. A retracting mechanism retracts the sling plate to uncover the feed outlet opening when the sling plate spins, so that the feed from the hopper falls downwardly into the broadcast spreader mechanism to be broadcast and dispensed. A tubular skirt surrounds the broadcast spreader mechanism for catching the feed as it is broadcast, and directing the feed downwardly into the feed trough.
