mineral feeding ideas

Oscar · #1 10/07/05, 09:54 AM

Does anyone have any good ideas for dispensing minerals? Currently, we have a metal dish nailed to the wall, so that they cannot butt it up OR paw the minerals out. It's working out well, but I don't quite like it. We've tried a bucket, they knock it over or poop in it. I've tried in their feed dish but they leave the minerals behind and then poop in the dish (eventually). I know that Hoegger sells a $37 model but that's too much and it's made of PLASTIC for crying out loud. My goats will crack that open in less than 24 hours. I have only wethers and so abundant minerals are crucial to my goats.

suzyhomemaker09 · #2 10/07/05, 12:33 PM

I've seen plans for making dispensers from PVC..using a large diameter section, putting a "y" shaped joint on the bottom, get a cap for each end and hang it where your goatsies can get to it

http://www.sweetlix.com/user_files/F...s/Goat_025.pdf

This has exactly what I'm talking about

bachelorb · #3 10/07/05, 12:40 PM

Theres a picture of the PVC type at
http://www.7mfarm.com/Mineralfeeders.html

I use old race car tires nailed to a tree (yep, I'm from alabama). This kinda keeps the rain out, and the wide tires let the goats get in without any trouble. The only problem I have is the goats think its a toy anc climb on it, but after they tore it off a couple of times, I used some washers and lag bolts. No problems now.
Brad

titansrunfarm · #4 10/07/05, 03:24 PM

Cool idea - Thanks!

**mygoat** · #5 10/07/05, 04:35 PM

go to www.jefferslivestock.com and search for mineral feeders. even though they are plastic they are HEAVY DUTY and hold up well. i dont reccomend pernmanantly installing them. try this inside of your shed :
take a 2x4 and two peices of 2x4. screw on the two small peices to the ends so that if you put it up on the wall it would jut away a few inches. then put three holes in the 2x4, same distance apart as in the feeder. put bolts through the holes and secure with a nut. slide the feeder on the bolts and secure in the middle with a wing nut. this is sturdy and easy to remove/clean. but since it is up so high kids cant reach it.
this is my set up:
take a large plastic storage bin, and put the three holes, the three nuts and bolts and attach the feeder with the wing nut close to the bottom. put a 3/4" pipe hanger on the back near the top; you may also want one in the middle. pound in a 1/2" pipe into the ground in the place you want the feeder. slide the 3/4" pipe hangers onto the 1/2" pipe. that way the whole thing is removeable and easy to move from pasture to pasture.
careful though; goats like to jump on things.

BearCreekFarm · #6 10/07/05, 04:42 PM

We just scrapped together a wooden box out of stuff we had laying around. Screwed it to the wall and filled it up- works great.

Milking Mom · #7 10/07/05, 07:15 PM

The PVC mineral feeders are excellent. I have 4 of them, BUT instead of putting a cap on the bottom glue you in a screw in clean out. All you have to do is unscrew it to clean out the bottom if it gets clumped up and you don't have to worry about the cap coming off the bottom. These are really nice because there is a small opening for the doe to eat out of, they can't get into it and make the minerals a mess. They are easy to fill just remove the cap from the top and pour in your minerals.

glenberryfarm · #8 10/07/05, 07:37 PM

The PVC is the way to go.

We also have the clean out at the bottom and it just couldn't be easier. There is no waste or way they can mess in it. We made one as a trial and made 4 more. Even the sheep use them for their minerals.
Faye