Show me your hay feeders (pretty please?)

motdaugrnds · #21 11/18/13, 09:22 PM

LSC you're getting some great pictorial representations of workable feeders for goats. I'll add mine tomorrow when I can get out for some pictures.

There are a few things You might want to consider no matter what design you choose.

1. You might not want to paint it. Goats may actually chew on it at times.

2. You might want to consider placing a stoop under it for goats to place their front feet on in order to eat out of the feeder. (This raises the feeder high enough so there is never any possibility of droppings getting into it.)

3. You might want to make sure all edges are rounded/smoothed and not sharp.

4. If you can place it strategically so as to be able to fill it without entering the goats' area, it might save on your toes and/or keep you from being bumped around a bit.

5. I have not found a way to keep the laying hens out of any feeder; so if you do, please let it be known.

Cannon_Farms · #22 11/18/13, 09:26 PM

Kim and Indy I have that same feeder except mine has a roof, was going to post to share, but dont feel thats required now but it is on my FB page

southerngurl · #23 11/18/13, 10:24 PM

Show me your hay feeders (pretty please?) - Goats

GreenMomma · #24 11/19/13, 01:51 AM

I like the idea of being able to feed from inside the barn, to an area that I won't be overrun. I like to go out and feed while still in my fuzzy jammies sometimes, lol. This way I would still be clean enough to lounge a while longer. Or feeding at night while on our way out for the evening... I'm going to have to build something like that this week!

fadedpolaris · #25 11/19/13, 02:53 AM

I REALLY like your feeder, southerngurl!

southerngurl · #26 11/19/13, 08:03 AM

Me too!

I love being able to feed from the barn side. I can put anything in it, pellets, hay etc.

punchiepal · #27 11/19/13, 11:09 AM

This is not mine but this guys feeders for big rounds are really neat.
http://waterloo.craigslist.org/grq/4146508365.html

motdaugrnds · #28 11/19/13, 04:44 PM

Here are the two I built that works best for large goats. (Kids have their own feeder closer to the ground.)

The smaller feeder is adjacent to a little holding pen where I can store bailed hay if need be. I created a basin in the bottom and placed some "field fencing" inside to keep the goats from wasting hay. Notice it has a stoop for them to stand on.

The larger feeder was my very first construction, done when I actually had time to work on one. It too has a basin in the bottom and a step; and it is adjacent to the area where I store hay so all I have to do is throw the slabs over that half wall into the feeder.

Notice the areas behind the steps. The kids love to sleep in those areas!