Deer feeder in cow pen?

[BFE]

Solar-Powered, Automatic Cattle Feeder

A new cattle feeder tells cattle when to eat by emitting an audio signal, doing so multiple times throughout the day. Dave Barney, president of Service Line, was looking for a better way to feed his o...

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[Farm Family]

There was a feeder I saw many years ago that required a tag on the animal which would inform the dispenser how much feed to dole out. The unit was made with a stanchion that only one animal would fit into. At the time I thought it was a pretty interesting idea, but I haven't seen one since. I can imagine some scenarios where it might not work well, but have no idea why it's not common enough to see around occasionally or if they are still made at all.

My husband had three of these on his dairy growing up. The cows wore a RFID like tag around their necks and the "scanner" read the tag number and would dispense the amount of grain programmed in the computer. The same neck tag was read in the milk parlour to identify previous milk weights or other status like data. Worked well. I think feedlots started using them too. I know our local Ag college used them in a test situation a few years back so still around. And I also think they were used in swine operations.

One time a good percentage of dairy cows all went off grain so he took a neck collar down and found one feeder was shocking them. Here a mouse chewed through the wires creating a short.

He stopped using automatic feeders when they went to TMR.

 

[CharleyCap]

So I have a small place about 3.5 hours from where I live. My plan is to take 3 weanling calves up there to maintain my ag exemption. Once those calves gain enough weight I'll sell them and take 3 more.

Anyway, I obviously won't be able to visit them every week so I'm thinking about putting a deer feeder in their pen either with straight corn or sweet feed pellets to get them used to going into the pen every day.

I'm thinking that they won't be extremely gentle since they'll only see a human every couple months so I'm hoping this will make it easy to pen them.

Have any of you done something similar? Thoughts?

I bought a hannan automatic feeder, ac power and under a roof, holds 20 bags. I put purina 14% protein "creep" pellets. It was good decision. I did a lot of research and found that homemade feeders can over feed our cattle and kill them. moreover, having that feed there constantly, prevents them from wanting to wonder off out of your fence. the only draw back is the damn pigs thinking (or wishing) they are my cows too but they are getting real tame and will be on my smoker real quick

 

[CharleyCap]

Do they have a reliable water source? Do you have a remote camera to be able to remote monitor water and feed? I think tubs would be a better option than a hot ration through an automatic feeder to avoid overconsumption of grain unless it was just enough grain to keep them gaining and where if one goes off grain and only two eat it they won't over consume.

good point, troughs get damaged and file up, being that far away, you better pay to get a watering hole dug out for you

 

[Brute 23]

You can get an 1100g water trough at tsc for $800. That will last 3 calves a long time. With a cell cam you would have more than ample time to get the issue resolved.

 

[smalltimer]

I've thought about one of these. Not cheap and I would like to talk to someone with actual experience with one before I try it.

I've used something similar for deer and they learn pretty quick that pounding on the sides make more feed fall out. Racoons and hogs also learn pretty quick. I've seen racoons reach up and pull feed through the hole and have 200 pounds of feed sitting on the ground.

Livestock Feeder | Arlington, TX | Auto Easy Feeder

Our US Patented livestock feeder ensures consistent feeding every time. Located in Texas. Call us at (817) 683-9430

www.autoeasyfeeder.com

 

[CharleyCap]

I've thought about one of these. Not cheap and I would like to talk to someone with actual experience with one before I try it.

I've used something similar for deer and they learn pretty quick that pounding on the sides make more feed fall out. Racoons and hogs also learn pretty quick. I've seen racoons reach up and pull feed through the hole and have 200 pounds of feed sitting on the ground.

Livestock Feeder | Arlington, TX | Auto Easy Feeder

Our US Patented livestock feeder ensures consistent feeding every time. Located in Texas. Call us at (817) 683-9430

www.autoeasyfeeder.com

I can only comment about the Hannan, I had it for over 6 months, its very useful for incrementally training my steer's digestive systems to take in more high energy foods to fatten them up for slaughter. it works good for me but do not use whole corn (gets stuck), use cracked corn or small pellets like 14% creep pellets. I hand mix feed and its a whole lot of work but I got fancy cows being feed out for local restaurants. its not good business model for maximum profit but an excellent way too get really good beef on your own table. If you have to pick one type of feed, get the Purina 14 % protein creep pellets at $11 a bag. My feeder runs on a 110v plug (I hate batteries) under a roof in 3 sided barn. more to the story but those are my main points

If I had to do it again, I would position the feeder where some one could fill it in bulk, the bags wear my ass out, soaking wet with sweat and dust when finished, my steers at the same time have access to 40 acres of a variation of good grasses and swim in a spring feed lake every afternoon to cool off, socialize and enjoy life., the feed is costing me $50/head per month

its been a good idea all and all

 

[smalltimer]

I can only comment about the Hannan, I had it for over 6 months, its very useful for incrementally training my steer's digestive systems to take in more high energy foods to fatten them up for slaughter. it works good for me but do not use whole corn (gets stuck), use cracked corn or small pellets like 14% creep pellets. I hand mix feed and its a whole lot of work but I got fancy cows being feed out for local restaurants. its not good business model for maximum profit but an excellent way too get really good beef on your own table. If you have to pick one type of feed, get the Purina 14 % protein creep pellets at $11 a bag. My feeder runs on a 110v plug (I hate batteries) under a roof in 3 sided barn. more to the story but those are my main points

If I had to do it again, I would position the feeder where some one could fill it in bulk, the bags wear my ass out, soaking wet with sweat and dust when finished, my steers at the same time have access to 40 acres of a variation of good grasses and swim in a spring feed lake every afternoon to cool off, socialize and enjoy life., the feed is costing me $50/head per month

its been a good idea all and all

I appreciate your input. I like the idea of having one on a trailer and can haul it down to the Co-op to get filled. Easy to move pastures too.