Cattle Feeder Cone/Poly/Steer Stuffer

[Stickney94]

Doing some upgrading this fall for winter feeding.
* Any recommendations on a Poly bale feeder? Possibly a poly cone style?
* Any recommendations on other cone style bale feeder? I've used a local version called Hay Manager. Really like them, but in the winter they can be very hard to move.

*Self-Feeder/Steer Stuffer -- are there any models out there that you can dial in the amount fed (starting out with say <10 lbs and slowyly increase the available rate? Any manufacturers out there in general? The two local companies have either discontinued them or built them using a jig for sheep and it doesn't work for >1,100 lb cattle.

 

[TCRanch]

I have nothing but Century poly feeders, had 'em over 10 years. Only maintenance is tightening the screws once, maybe twice a year. I love them and they're easy for me to move - but also easy for the cattle to move once they get really low. There are a lot of options, like a cone or skirt to reduce waste; hopefully someone else will elaborate because I haven't tried them. Yet.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Self feeders don't feed by lbs per day. You can shut them down so the cattle have to work harder and don't waste as much. But they will just stand there longer and eat what they want. If your starting out a set of calves carry buckets or use a TMR to work them up until they are ready for a self feeder.
There are several good brands. Smidley steer stuffers are bomb proof.
A friend of mine feeds a lot of Holstein strs. They took panner hog self feeders and built legs and frames for them. They work good and were cheap compared to a new feeder.

 

[Stickney94]

Smidley steer stuffers are bomb proof.
They took panner hog self feeders and built legs and frames for them. They work good and were cheap compared to a new feeder.

My local Smidley distributor told me they discontinued their steer stuffer. Otherwise I was going to go that direction.

The hog feeder idea is one that I had pondered. Glad to hear someone else has tried that. Thanks!

 

[KAstocker]

You should be able to add salt to the mix to limit how much they eat in a day

 

[Caustic Burno]

When needed I use a 2-1-1 or -2-1 mix
The 2-1-1 in the summer as in my environment I have found the 2-1 to be too high protein for the heat and they just quit it.
2-1-1 is Corn, Cottonseed and salt
2-1 is cottonseed and salt.

 

[Stickney94]

Resurrecting an old thread --

Anyone have experience with Best Livestock Hay Saver -- out of KY I'm told? Link

OR the Titan West Bextra $Bale Feeder? Link

OR SI Feeders? Link

I have some cone style feeders that are wearing out that I'm looking to replace. Thanks!

 

[Lee VanRoss]

I like Bextra tapered for round bales.

 

[TCRanch]

I don't have the bale feeder, but our portable corral/chute/palp cage is by Titan West. Very well made and excellent customer service.

 

[bird dog]

*Self-Feeder/Steer Stuffer -- are there any models out there that you can dial in the amount fed (starting out with say <10 lbs and slowyly increase the available rate? Any manufacturers out there in general? The two local companies have either discontinued them or built them using a jig for sheep and it doesn't work for >1,100 lb cattle.

Try this

Programmable Cattle Feeder | Arlington, TX | Auto Easy Feeder

Quit spending your time and money to feed and get our US Patented automatic feeder Located in Texas. Call us at (817) 683-9430

www.autoeasyfeeder.com

 

[Stickney94]

Try this

Programmable Cattle Feeder | Arlington, TX | Auto Easy Feeder

Quit spending your time and money to feed and get our US Patented automatic feeder Located in Texas. Call us at (817) 683-9430

www.autoeasyfeeder.com

Thanks -- hadn't heard of those previously. I received a quote and they are unfortunately more than I'm willing to spend at the moment. But interesting concept.

 

[J+ Cattle]

I checked on the price of one of the Auto Easy Feeders and it was 3 times the price of a 2000 lb. model T&S Triphopper. A savvy person could add a timer relay to have it dump into a feed trough easy enough.

J+ Cattle