Help with Hay Feeder

[MePreach]

I am about to build a wooden hay feeder and would like to know what width or spacing between the boards do I need to leave for the goats to be able to get the hay out? Thanks

[HazyDay]

I will try to post a picture later, but I took the size of my biggest does head and made it 1 inch bigger! I will go get a piture right now!

[HazyDay]

Here are some pictures!

I know it looks junky, but on a buget you have to work with what you have! The bars are like this / / / / / It keeps them from just pulling it out. I think they are 14 cm or inchs apart. They can stick their heads into it so it's GREAT to feed grain in also!!

It's up about 1-2 feet from the ground (or less!) and has a wooden bottom for grian. If I could change anything on it, it would be the wood should not be flat and higher on my side so grian rolls towards them.

(I just refilled it so there is NO way they could stick their heads threw it! )







The second pictures shows how good I am at looking for things that will work for them, Found this baby at my dad's shop and it used to be for hanging things! (the last picture shows how it hung.) I am only using this for a few weeks when kids are born to make sure they can get some nice fine hay. As you can see it won't hold alot of hay, but just to start them out it would.

(I really like the idea of this because as they grow I can make it higher and higher. And then if they don't need it any more, Put it on the wall and use it to hold leads and collars! )

[deafgoatlady]

I wanna to show u the picture of mine but I cant. I dont know how to post the pictures. Can someone give me the email address so I can send and someone can post it for me. Thanks..

[HazyDay]

Originally Posted by deafgoatlady

I wanna to show u the picture of mine but I cant. I dont know how to post the pictures. Can someone give me the email address so I can send and someone can post it for me. Thanks..

Sure!

[deafgoatlady]

I just emailed to u Hazyday.. Well Go head and post and I already describe it to u.. And I have to go and I will be back later and check it out. Thanks!!!!

[HazyDay]

Here you go!

I know it is not wooden hay feeder. But I thought poeple would like to see it or give u an idea. I have another picture on the way . It is for feeding the goats for graining time.. Thanks!!

[HazyDay]

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

I don't want my goats heads in the feeders. I want their noses and mouths only which saves wasted hay, plus a hay feeder that a big doe can get her head into means feet also and kids!

I use utility panels set on an 2x4 angle, large opening at the top down to nothing at the bottom, so hay funnels down. Big bucks have the same idea but done with cattle panels because they can't get their heads in them once they are about 3 years old.

They are the only really non waste hay feeders we have made and then kept. Vicki

[topside1]

You would be amazed at how good a standard pen gate can act as a hay feeder. Just place hay round or square on the opposite side of a commonly bought pen gate and feed. #1 they can't pee or poop on it, #2 they can't lay on it, #3 elevate the hay on pallets to minimize hay waste from hitting the ground.....hope I have a picture, but it shouldn't be needed.

This is a poor photo, not of me, but of the topic. Anyway you should understand what I'm suggesting....Once a round or square is eatin, then just roll or throw out the next into position.....simple. By the way that's not one of my Goats......Enjoy the weekend...TJ

[Scrounger]

I used a fence panel that has 2x6 openings (wife's dad used one with 4x4 openings) to make mine. That way, they can only pull a little out at a time. NOTE a regular cattle panel that has 4x6, or bigger, openings will still allow them to get their head through and get caught on their horns! BTDT. Almost lost a doe to a cattle panel.

By the way, John - that sure is one UGLY goat ya got there.....

[HazyDay]

I like my feeder alot! Vicki, I haven't seen a kid in the feeder ever! I have no clue why?? Even with the 2 boer crosses that were dam raised they never set foot in it! Maybe I just have very well behaved goats!

As Vicki said there is no feeder that won't let some waste out. I thought ours was wasting alot and was ready to tear it out when I was told Mom was throwing it over! Boy did I flame!

[HazyDay]

Originally Posted by Scrounger

By the way, John - that sure is one UGLY goat ya got there.....

IF THATS A GOAT! What the HECK did I buy?? These long eared money suckers!

[deafgoatlady]

Vicki, I have to agree with Hazyday. Kids never on the top of my hay feeder and the mom too. NEVER. They are very good with the hay feeder. The only one who is on the top hay feeder is my cats!.. And um I never had that problem..

[toomb68]

Originally Posted by Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians

I don't want my goats heads in the feeders. I want their noses and mouths only which saves wasted hay, plus a hay feeder that a big doe can get her head into means feet also and kids!

I use utility panels set on an 2x4 angle, large opening at the top down to nothing at the bottom, so hay funnels down. Big bucks have the same idea but done with cattle panels because they can't get their heads in them once they are about 3 years old.

They are the only really non waste hay feeders we have made and then kept. Vicki

any photos?

[Cloverbud]

Metal milk crates hold 2 flakes. I have the crates mounted on the stall wall to hold the horse's water buckets, and needed a hay feeder in a pinch when I got the goats. Ta-daa! Instant feeder. I'll have to come up with something different, though. They'll be sharing the roundbales with the horses.

[Jim S.]

I've been using these bought hay racks (like the one at left) for about 15 years, they work great. The goats don't get their heads stuck in them, 4 of them in the barn hold enough hay for rainy days (my goats eat off a roll outside otherwise), and they cost me $12 each when I bought them back then.



Someday when I grow up, I want to put a full bunk along that whole barn wall, so I can just drop hay down from the loft into it. That's currently #2,789 on the to-do list.

[Liese]

Thinking of building this unit for winter hay feeding - does anyone here use this and /or have thoughts on improvements? http://www.premier1supplies.com/img/instruction/30.pdf

[Wannabee]

I like that! May have to put that on my "to-do" list as well!

[Jim S.]

I would like to build one similar to the first ones shown here...

http://sutcliffefence.com/sheep_&_goat.htm