Saturday, November 5, 2011
*THE* best hay feeder for sheep!
For the last several years, I've been forking hay over the fence to my sheep each day, or putting out a round bale for them to eat free reign. Last winter was ugly, and free reign, a bale was only lasting them between 7-10 days. It was a less than successful way to feed sheep, but since I didn't have many of them I just "put up" with the mess it created over the winter months, and cleaned it all up in the spring. This year I have some nice Katahdin ewes, along with a few of my Barbs and I was determined to make my life easier when it came to chores this winter. I've been researching feeder ideas, and saw this feeder on a website....... I freely admit I "borrowed" this idea from Premier Sheep Supplies, when I built my round bale hay feeder for my sheep. The only difference is I used hose clamps to join the sections together. I have to say its been a HUGE success!! They are now on week 4 of the same bale!! This first bale was put in on its side, the next one I am going to stand on end and then decide which way works the best.
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Wow what a difference how long the hay is lasting.Good thunkin', that should make a huge difference!!
ReplyDeletedoes this require moving the panels closer to the bale once the outside in gone?
ReplyDeleteYes, I would be interested to know how they reach the hay once the outside is gone? Do you remove the panels, or move them in?
ReplyDeleteHas anyone answered this question of them moving panels in or removing all together ?
ReplyDeleteif you put the bale on end, it falls down as they eat. We put some holes down low and some up high, and then when it's time for a new bale, we take the panels off and put them on a new bale in a different spot. It's a great way to add organic matter to soil that isn't growing much, so we don't spend too much energy spreading out the remnants. It grows thick lush grass in the spring.
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