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Hay feeders are important to keep your livestock health and to minimize waste. There are many feeder types to choose from and we have a large selection of hay feeders here at Barn World.
When selecting a hay feeder for your animals, it's important to consider the their size and safety. Hay feeders come in many different heights: buffalo and bulls need tall feeders and calves and sheep are better suited for shorter hay feeders. A kick shields around the bottom of the hay feeder will limit feed waste and keep calves out.
Hay feeders come in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes. The idea behind hay feeder selection is to choose the one that allows the animal to feed safely while eliminating as much wasted hay as possible. Of course, basic construction to maximize longevity of the feeder is also a consideration as a hay feeder can be a significant investment.
A quality hay feeder will minimize money lost to hay that is wasted on the ground. Hay can be wasted in a variety of ways. Hay left lying on the ground is frequently wasted when ground moisture, rain, snow, dirt, mud and animal waste mixes with the hay over a short period of time. Hay left directly on the ground is also used to mark territory by dominant horses and makes beds for others, wasting upwards to 50% of its intended use in a matter of a few days, if not hours.
Round Bale Feeders
Round Bale Hay Feeders are designed to minimize waste and provide a safe environment for feeding. Horse round bale hay feeders are made with the herd and spooking mentality of horses in mind with round corners and smooth edges. These type of feeders minimize the risks of a horse getting cut from a sharp edge, getting caught or entangled in the feeder. Our round bale feeders made with tubular steel eliminate the sharp edges and the taller height of the feeders keep horses and livestock from rubbing off their manes on the hay feeder while they eat. While horses naturally want to paw at food on the ground, the new round bale hay feeders protect their legs from possible injury.
New plastic hay feeders are available that offer durability and convenience when feeding your livestock and horses. They come in a 7' diameter round bale feeder and also a square - make your own size - feeder. All of the fittings are countersunk to ensure that the animals will not get scratched or injured.
Slant Bar Feeder
Slant bars are common on hay feeders as they make the animal "tip" its head to go in and out of the feeder. If the animal does drop the hay, it usually stays inside the feeder as they will have to tip/turn their head to get their head back out.
Combo Feeder or Rack and Trough Feeder
Combo hay feeders or combination hay feeders are also called rack and trough feeders and offer a trough below a hay rack to minimize any waste and allow the option of feeding grain or needed supplements. They are very versatile and come in a variety of heights and sizes to match the animal. A combo hay feeder is also great for smaller animals that need both hay and grain.
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