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Post by littlecowfl on Feb 8, 2018 17:39:10 GMT -5
We are looking at building our own cattle feeder with slanted boards for their heads. The standard appears to be 12 1/2 inches wide between slants. Does anyone know if that is too big for Dexters? I am worried about calves slipping through. Some cows have horns, but nothing they couldn't figure out how to slip their heads through. The industry has this: www.powderriver.com/equipment/feeding/classic-feeder-panel/ |
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Post by legendrockranch on Feb 8, 2018 18:18:32 GMT -5
A couple of comments. First of all the feeders do not have to have slanted bars, nor do the heads of the cattle have to go all the way through. Only the mouth & muzzle needs to go threw the bars. I was trying to post picture of a feeder that I use plus several others. It's just not letting me. but I'll see what I can find. But they are basically feed troughs with hay racks. The spacing on the hay rack is small.
Barb
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Post by legendrockranch on Feb 8, 2018 18:37:15 GMT -5
Well it's not letting me post pictures but if you go to netxgates.com/feeders-2/ and look for Item# GFHD8 8′ HD Trough w/ Bar Hay Rack you can see the spacing between the bars I'm talking about. Barb |
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Post by karenp on Feb 9, 2018 16:32:40 GMT -5
Well it's not letting me post pictures but if you go to netxgates.com/feeders-2/ and look for Item# GFHD8 8′ HD Trough w/ Bar Hay Rack you can see the spacing between the bars I'm talking about. Barb Lower Delaware I looked it up. I have been told that hay nets are not appropriate for cattle because the openings are to small and do not allow enough access to hay to get enough to eat. The openings in this feeder seem pretty small, can you explain the difference? |
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Post by legendrockranch on Feb 9, 2018 18:00:14 GMT -5
Hi karen, I don't use hay nets. The bar spacing on the feeders we use, has enough room for them to stick their head in about half way trough. Their whole mouth to about 4 inches below their eyes can go through the bars. Sorry If I am confusing you.
Barb
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Post by littlecowfl on Feb 9, 2018 18:01:01 GMT -5
Great information, thank you! My husband is handy and said he could make a wooden feeder. We can build it against a half wall between hay storage and the cattle. Another option is to build just slats that the cows can put their heads through to feed, like dairies do, but I'm worried about calves slipping through and making a mess in the hay. Has anyone successfully done just slats between the cows and the hay? I think my cattle are part goat...
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Post by legendrockranch on Feb 9, 2018 18:07:30 GMT -5
I think the bar spacing is 5 or 6 inchs.
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Post by karenp on Feb 9, 2018 18:31:08 GMT -5
Hi karen, I don't use hay nets. The bar spacing on the feeders we use, has enough room for them to stick their head in about half way trough. Their whole mouth to about 4 inches below their eyes can go through the bars. Sorry If I am confusing you. Barb Lower Delaware It was just hard to see the spacing from the picture. |
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