Hay feeders

[Farmgirl]

I am looking at trying a different type hay feeder. Have been using the black plastic type. They hold up extremely well and are easy to move. I think there is considerable waste with them though. Considering a cradle type feeder that holds the hay off the ground or a typical ring that has a skirt on the bottom. Also, located in east Texas so need to consider something reasonably accessible in the area. Are there any that help prevent waste more than others? Thanks!

 

[Brute 23]

A lot of waste comes from the type of hay, how you store it, and how often you feed it. You might look at those things to be sure you are doing what you can before going to another style feeder. Even a cradle can't help if the bottoms are all rotten or another bale gets put out before they are forced to finish up the first one.

 

[Farmgirl]

Hay is stored in a barn off the ground. Don't put out more until they clean up. Have unrolled hay for 1 day at a time.

 

[cowman82]

most efficient is to setup a feeding gate and make them eat through it.

 

[coachg]

Be careful of the cradle type , saw a picture of a cow that got her head hung in one and died . I use the poly rings and really like them . You'll have waste regardless of what you use . A lot of folks on the forum unroll their round bales .

 

[ClinchValley86]

My neighbor feeds in a manger in the barn. Zero waste that way.

 

[Dsth]

I feed big square bales in a round bale feeder with the hay saver on the bottom. that seems to be the best way for me to feed hay. without the hay saver ring on the bottom waste way more hay and rings get scrapped when the ring rots out. have also tried the hay saver raised bale holder that holds bale off ground and that also waste more hay for some reason. removed the bale holder and had less waste.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I dont use feeders very much, but when I do I use "the hay manager" brand cradle type hay saver feeders. Very little waste with them as long as the hay is good.

 

[cowman82]

My neighbor feeds in a manger in the barn. Zero waste that way.

I have a big hay barn with a manger running down the length. has slats and bunks. only waste I pitchfork out is the stems. i'm feeding calves so they are a lot pickier than a large cow. if large cows they'll eat it all and i have 0 waste.


if you're feeding a lot of cows unrolling is the way to go... but if you only have a few up near the barn.. no design other than a manger/feed gate is going to be efficient.

 

[SBMF 2015]

We have several styles, but this is the best at saving hay. They waste nothing. Hay is stored inside.
We kick the hay out of the middle when it gets too where they can't reach, wait another day and give them a new bale.

@Brute 23 nailed it! Hay quality is more important than feeder style.

 

[WFfarm]

We bought three of these feeders a couple years ago and we like them. Our 5x6 round bales fit well in them. They are taller and more rugged that what you get at Tractor Supply. Cows still can pull the hay out and waste some.

 

[TCRanch]

I have 8 of the Century poly feeders and they've held up for 15 years. And yes, easy for me to move. As far as waste, when it gets down to the bottom and they don't want to eat the scrubs, I just dump some cubes and they'll clean it up. Or simply move the bale ring and use the residual as bedding.

If I recall, @cfpinz bought a cone "attachment" for his poly feeders and greatly reduced the waste.

 

[RustyTub]

My neighbor feeds in a manger in the barn. Zero waste that way.

This. I flake off big squares into concrete J bunks. Little to no waste. Only 16 mouths to feed tho. Twice a day during hay season.

 

[cfpinz]

I have 8 of the Century poly feeders and they've held up for 15 years. And yes, easy for me to move. As far as waste, when it gets down to the bottom and they don't want to eat the scrubs, I just dump some cubes and they'll clean it up. Or simply move the bale ring and use the residual as bedding.

If I recall, @cfpinz bought a cone "attachment" for his poly feeders and greatly reduced the waste.

Not I, Mrs. TC.

I love the Century feeders but do find them a bit wasteful. They sell a kit that adds a bunch of uprights to each feeder, but I've yet to try one.

 

[SuperiorIan]

Morgan Livestock Equipment carries Superior Standard Hay Feeders. Definitely worth checking out

 

[Farmgirl]

They make a skirt for the Century feeders. I have thought about adding that.

 

[WFfarm]

Has anyone found covers for sale for feeder rings? We're looking for something that clamps onto the top rail of the feeder and provides a rain cover. The group of youngstock talk longer to finish up a full bale and if it gets rained on a few times they stick their noses up at it.

 

[Stickney94]

There are some threads on feeders you may want to search through on CT.

Cone feeders "can" be less wasteful. But I've found it really depends on the feed type/quality and the animal group. Young animals tend to be wasteful. Cows tend to be better at cleaning up. Every animal is less fussy when it's -10F. If you can wait to feed them until they've cleaned up the previous bale that is great -- but my schedule tends to not allow that. In short: # of animals, type of bale, weather -- all are things you should consider. There are pluses and minuses to most of types.

I have lost an animal in a cone feeder when we think the bale had mushroomed (baleage) and collapsed on their neck -- so that's not just a myth. Cone feeders also tend to be very effective at de-tagging your cattle.

 

[GoWyo]

I wait until they have the bale mostly cleaned up in the bale ring and then move it off to let them clean up the rest of the bale. Alfalfa bales have very little waste. Grass bales seem to have less waste the better quality it is.

 

[Lucky]

I am looking at trying a different type hay feeder. Have been using the black plastic type. They hold up extremely well and are easy to move. I think there is considerable waste with them though. Considering a cradle type feeder that holds the hay off the ground or a typical ring that has a skirt on the bottom. Also, located in east Texas so need to consider something reasonably accessible in the area. Are there any that help prevent waste more than others? Thanks!

looked at these yesterday in Petty,Tx. $850 for 1 bale $1,150 for 2 bale. Very heavy built and on skids.