Hay is one of the largest ongoing feed expenses for many livestock and horse owners, so how it is presented to animals matters. When hay is placed directly on the ground, animals can walk through it, trample it, soil it, and scatter it. A properly designed hay feeder helps keep more of the bale accessible to the animals while making daily feeding easier to manage.

There is no single hay feeder that works best for every operation. The right choice depends on the animals being fed, the type and size of hay bales, the number of animals sharing the feeder, and whether the feeder will be used in a pasture, lot, barn, or stall.

Barn World offers a variety of hay feeders for cattle, horses, and other livestock, including round bale feeders, rack and trough feeders, suspended feeders, and horse hay feeders.

Why Use a Hay Feeder?

A hay feeder gives animals access to hay while helping keep the forage contained. Instead of allowing an entire bale to spread across the ground, the feeder controls how animals reach the hay.

This can help reduce the amount of hay that is lost through trampling and scattering. A feeder can also help keep hay away from mud and other sources of contamination that can occur when forage is placed directly on the ground.

The amount of waste reduction will vary depending on the feeder design, the type of hay, the animals being fed, weather conditions, and how the feeder is used. A feeder is not a guarantee against waste, but the right design can make a noticeable difference in how hay is presented.

Choosing a Hay Feeder Based on the Bale

One of the first things to consider is the type of hay you normally feed.

• Round bales: Large round bale feeders are designed to contain full-size round bales and provide access around the feeder.
• Square bales: Rack-style and combination feeders can be used with square bales, depending on the feeder design.
• Small flakes: Stall and rack feeders can make it easier to provide smaller amounts of hay to individual horses or livestock.

Before purchasing a feeder, check the manufacturer's specifications for the bale sizes and types the feeder is designed to accommodate. A feeder that works well with one bale size may not be appropriate for another.

Round Bale Hay Feeders

Round bale feeders are a common choice for cattle, horses, and other livestock that are fed large field bales. These feeders are generally designed with a circular frame around the bale, allowing multiple animals to reach the hay at the same time.

Traditional round bale feeders are available in different diameters, heights, feeding-opening configurations, and construction styles. Some have a solid skirt around the bottom, while others leave the bottom more open.

A skirt can help contain hay that falls from the bale and may help keep loose hay from being blown away. Feeders with legs or raised sections can also keep portions of the feeder off wet or muddy ground.

When choosing a round bale feeder, consider the size of the bale, the number and size of the animals using it, and the location where the feeder will be placed.

Round Bale Feeders With Skirts

A skirted round bale feeder adds material around the lower portion of the feeder to help contain loose hay.

This design can be useful when feeding in areas where wind or animal activity causes hay to scatter. The skirt can catch some of the hay that falls from the bale rather than allowing it to immediately spread across the ground.

Skirted feeders are available in several configurations, so compare the feeder's dimensions and feeding openings with the animals that will be using it.

Rack and Trough Hay Feeders

A rack and trough feeder combines two useful functions. The rack holds the hay above the ground, while the trough underneath can catch loose hay and can also be used for certain supplemental feeds, depending on the feeder design.

This type of feeder can be useful for operations where hay and supplemental feed need to be provided in the same general feeding area.

Rack and trough feeders are available in different sizes and configurations for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and other livestock. The appropriate height and feeding opening depend on the animals using the feeder.

Suspended and Hopper-Style Hay Feeders

Suspended hay feeders use chains, bars, or other support systems to hold the bale or hay above the ground. Some designs incorporate a lower skirt or other structure to help contain loose hay.

One advantage of a suspended design is that much of the hay remains elevated and accessible to the animals. Depending on the model, the bale may be loaded from above and suspended inside the feeder.

These feeders are particularly suited to operations feeding large round bales, but the feeder's specifications should always be checked before selecting one for a particular bale size or livestock group.

Horse Hay Feeders

Horses can have different feeding requirements than cattle, and feeder design is an important consideration when choosing equipment for an equine operation.

Horse hay feeders are available for pastures, run-in areas, stalls, and other feeding locations. Some are designed for round bales, while stall feeders are intended for smaller amounts of hay.

When choosing a horse hay feeder, pay particular attention to the construction and design of the feeding openings. The feeder should be appropriate for the horses using it and installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Barn World carries both pasture-style and stall-oriented horse hay feeders as part of its hay-feeder selection.

Stall Hay Feeders

Stall hay feeders are designed for feeding individual horses or smaller quantities of hay in a barn or stall.

Many stall feeders mount to a wall or fit into a corner, allowing hay to be provided without placing the entire flake directly on the stall floor.

A stall feeder can also make daily feeding more organized by giving the horse a consistent location for accessing hay.

The best design depends on the stall layout, the amount of hay being fed, and how the feeder will be mounted.

Hay Feeders for Cattle

Cattle feeders need to withstand larger animals and the conditions in which cattle are commonly fed. Round bale feeders, rack and trough feeders, suspended bale feeders, and heavy-duty combination feeders are all available in different configurations.

When selecting a cattle hay feeder, consider the number of animals that will feed at the same time. A feeder with too few feeding positions can create unnecessary crowding, while a larger feeder may be unnecessary for a small group.

Construction is another consideration. Steel feeders are available in different tube sizes, gauges, finishes, and configurations. Choose a feeder appropriate for the animals and the amount of use it will receive.

Barn World's current cattle hay feeder selection includes round bale feeders, rack and trough feeders, suspended feeders, and other designs.

Consider the Number of Animals Using the Feeder

The number of animals sharing a feeder affects the size and configuration you should consider.

For a small group, a compact feeder may provide sufficient access. Larger herds generally need more feeding space so animals can reach the hay without excessive crowding.

Pay attention to the number and spacing of feeding openings, particularly when the feeder will be used by larger cattle or a mixed group of animals.

Feeder Location Matters

Where a hay feeder is placed can affect both its usefulness and the amount of cleanup required around it.

Outdoor feeders should be placed in an area with suitable ground conditions and enough room for animals to approach and leave the feeder safely. Avoid locations that routinely become excessively muddy or difficult to access with equipment used to deliver hay.

For horses and livestock in a barn or stall, consider how the feeder will be mounted and whether there is adequate room for animals to eat comfortably.

Hay Feeder Construction and Maintenance

Hay feeders are exposed to animals, weather, moisture, and repeated daily use, so construction is worth considering when comparing models.

Steel feeders may be powder coated or galvanized, depending on the model. Poly feeders offer another option, particularly for some horse-feeding applications.

Regardless of construction, inspect the feeder periodically for damaged components, loose hardware, sharp edges, excessive wear, or other problems that could affect safe use.

Keeping the area around the feeder reasonably clean is also important. Removing accumulated waste and relocating the feeder when appropriate can help prevent the feeding area from becoming excessively muddy or compacted.

How to Choose the Right Hay Feeder

Before buying a hay feeder, consider these questions:

• What animals will use it? Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and other livestock may require different feeder designs.
• What type of hay do you feed? Make sure the feeder is compatible with round bales, square bales, or flakes as needed.
• How many animals will use it? Larger groups may require more feeding positions.
• Where will it be used? Pasture, lot, barn, stall, and run-in areas have different requirements.
• How will the hay be loaded? Consider whether the feeder can be loaded easily with the equipment available on your operation.
• What construction is appropriate? Compare steel, galvanized, powder-coated, and poly designs based on the environment and intended use.
• How much space is available? Measure the feeding area before ordering a large round bale or combination feeder.

Reducing Hay Waste Starts With Better Hay Management

A hay feeder is only one part of managing forage efficiently. Hay quality, storage, weather, animal numbers, and feeding practices all affect how much hay is ultimately consumed.

Even so, providing hay in a feeder rather than directly on the ground can give the producer greater control over how the forage is presented.

The goal is simple: keep hay accessible to the animals while reducing unnecessary scattering, trampling, and contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hay Feeders

What is the purpose of a hay feeder?

A hay feeder holds hay in a controlled feeding area so animals can access it while helping reduce the amount of forage that is trampled, scattered, or soiled on the ground.

Do hay feeders reduce hay waste?

They can. The amount of waste reduction depends on the feeder design, the animals, the type of hay, weather conditions, and how the feeder is used. A properly selected feeder can help keep more hay contained and accessible.

What type of hay feeder is best for round bales?

Round bale feeders are specifically designed to contain large round bales. Options include traditional circular feeders, skirted feeders, suspended feeders, and other designs. The best choice depends on the animals, bale size, and feeding location.

What hay feeder is best for horses?

Horse hay feeders are available in several designs for stalls, pastures, and run-in areas. Consider the horse's size, feeding location, bale type, feeder construction, and the design of the feeding openings.

Can cattle and horses use the same hay feeder?

Some hay feeders can be used for both cattle and horses, but not every feeder is appropriate for both. Compare the feeder's construction, dimensions, feeding openings, and manufacturer's intended use before selecting one for mixed livestock.

Are round bale feeders available with a hay-saving skirt?

Yes. Some round bale feeders incorporate a lower skirt designed to help contain loose hay around the bale. The skirt design and dimensions vary by model.

What should I consider when buying a hay feeder?

Start with the animals being fed, the type and size of hay bales, the number of animals sharing the feeder, the available space, the feeding location, and the construction of the feeder.

Hay Feeders From Barn World

The right hay feeder can make daily feeding more organized while helping keep valuable forage contained and accessible to your animals. Barn World offers hay feeders for a variety of livestock and feeding situations, including round bale feeders, cattle hay feeders, horse hay feeders, stall feeders, and combination rack and trough designs.

Browse the current hay feeders at Barn World to compare the available styles and find a feeder suited to your animals, hay, and feeding location.

Whether you are feeding cattle from large round bales, providing hay for horses in a pasture, or looking for a stall hay feeder, choosing the right design can make feeding more convenient and help keep more of your hay where it belongs: available for your animals to eat.