wbvs58
Well-known member
Do you think all of the cows work it out or are there some that miss out, that is what has always held me back from buying one like that.
Ken
Ken
Mineral feeders
- Thread starter jltrent
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I really like those mineral feeders. I have three. And have two of the upright wind deflected type. Mineral gets wet in the open ones and cattle aren't nearly as eager to eat it.
Your cows gotta smell something good inside it and start rubbing. They'll figure it out. It'll be empty all of a sudden and it's game on.
Your cows gotta smell something good inside it and start rubbing. They'll figure it out. It'll be empty all of a sudden and it's game on.
Poured mineral all over it? Might be worth a bag to dump it on top.
Dusty Britches
Well-known member
I've been thinking about this type of feeder for some time but I'm worried rats, skunks and other varmints will hide out in them and bite my cattle. Have y'all not had an issue with that?
The top on these is pretty heavy. It would take a pretty big varmit to hide in one. I have not had any problems.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
I agree. Been using this type for 15+ years and never an issue.
Dusty Britches
Well-known member
But this photo looks like it is curved and has a big gap.
chaded
Well-known member
Never had an issue here.
Named'em Tamed'em
Well-known member
Ours works great, it took the new heifer 3 days.
Ouachita
Well-known member
It was the best picture I could find that at least had a lick tub to compare. I don't have a good picture, but here's another from last year. It is not less than 3 feet diameter, likely more. I'll measure one this evening. Got me curious now.
Nope.
Ouachita
Well-known member
Finally remembered to have a tape measure. It's 38" across the base. In addition to a larapin dose of anti-seize on the threads, sealant on the center bolt that holds everything together helps it to last.
Aaron
Well-known member
Used those types of feeders for about 15 years or so.
Can bolt a FWA tractor tire to bottom of it to give it extra weight and height in muddy conditions. Attach a chain to tire and you can drag around with ATV when changing pastures.
You can bust them and my original ones (Behlans) the plastic is starting to get brittle on.
But still best mineral feeder out there for loose mineral and salt. The Sioux style are best, 50% extra capacity and durability.
Can bolt a FWA tractor tire to bottom of it to give it extra weight and height in muddy conditions. Attach a chain to tire and you can drag around with ATV when changing pastures.
You can bust them and my original ones (Behlans) the plastic is starting to get brittle on.
But still best mineral feeder out there for loose mineral and salt. The Sioux style are best, 50% extra capacity and durability.
I built one from a plastic barrel and hung it from a branch under a loafing tree about 15 or so yrs ago. Cows are gone but barrel still hanging. The cows took to it right away without a problem. I think the original plan was credited to Dun.Those of us who have been around for some time remember him well. I will try to remember to get photos next time I go there.
Dusty Britches
Well-known member
I remember that idea, bbirder. Please post photos!
Silver
Well-known member
Not Bbirder, but this is what mine looks like. We've had it since before we had internet so sadly I can't give Dun credit for this one.
This is what I did about 12 years ago and they are still good.
BTW bought mineral with CTC yesterday, $29 for a 40 lb. bag. 15 bags should last me a couple months. And snatched up the last box of Sustain III cattle boluses before they're RX only (plus nobody else has them in stock).
These work pretty well and the price is right, I've have a couple must be close to 10yrs.
Dave
Well-known member
I built a several of those plastic barrel mineral feeders. I think two that hung from trees and two on sleds. I believe they are still where I left them when I sold out on the coast. here we use the bottom third of a steel drum with the cut edge rolled over. We get so little rain we don't worry about the minerals or salt getting wet.
