Pig Feeders

Pig Feeders

Compare pig feeders for nursery, finishing, and wean-to-finish feeding. Start with a nursery pig feeder, review a conventional finishing feeder, or choose an Osborne FAST Start wean-to-finish feeder. Compare the feeding mechanism, capacity, pig-weight range, and dimensions for the selected model before requesting a delivered quote.

Need a pig feeder delivered to your farm? Review the available nursery, gravity-flow and mechanical-flow models below. Request a freight quote with the model, quantity and destination ZIP code, or contact sales@barnworld.com or (720) 238-2190.

FAST Start Wean-to-Finish Pig Feeders: Gravity Feeding That Automatically Converts

Osborne FAST Start Big Wheel pig feeders begin with gravity flow for newly weaned pigs and automatically switch to mechanical feed delivery as the animals grow. Open slides in the hopper initially let feed flow into the trough without the pigs having to operate the wheel. As the pigs become strong enough to turn the five-spoke wheel, the slides close automatically and the internal feed sweep begins dispensing feed only when pigs move the wheel. The transition typically occurs within about 10 to 14 days and requires no manual changeover as the pigs grow.

This unique two-stage design combines easy feeding after weaning with feed-saving mechanical operation during finishing, allowing pigs to use the same feeder through market weight. Compare the 235 lb RF2FS FAST Start feeder, 390 lb RF1FS FAST Start feeder, and 785 lb RF3FS FAST Start feeder. Conventional RF-series finishing feeders use mechanical flow from the outset and do not have this automatic conversion feature.

Feeder Comparison Chart

Design Features

The round design maximizes the number of pigs that can use the feeder at one time, while the feeding stations create an organized environment that reduces stress and promotes consumption. Standard Big Wheel finishing feeders release feed when pigs turn the wheel, helping reduce waste. FAST Start wean-to-finish feeders initially allow gravity flow and then automatically convert to wheel-controlled mechanical feed delivery as pigs grow. Mechanically controlled feed delivery can help limit unused feed collecting in the trough. Poly components resist rust, although the complete feeder still requires cleaning and inspection.

Please see the complete collection of these top-of-the-line Osborne pig feeders as well as the larger hog feeders, and remember, we carry a full line of livestock feeders at Barn World!

Osborne Quality and Design

In the 1970s, Osborne Livestock Equipment discovered that most pig feedings were done with gravity-fed feeders that created a lot of waste. Low-tech feeders were prevalent throughout the states and were responsible for tremendous food waste, and required continuous monitoring and adjusting. It was discovered that even though an operator was extremely diligent, the waste would continue to fall to the floor or into the pit, and this kept operating costs extremely high.

Osborne also offers an entire line of Hog Feeders.

A New Design

The livestock equipment team looked for a solution and came up with an in-house mechanical flow feeder. This feeder removed the free-flow gravity-fed design of previous models and turned to on-demand distribution.

This design gives producers another option for managing feed flow and reducing avoidable waste during routine operation.

The mechanically controlled flow design requires an animal to ask for food to be dispensed from the feeder. This prevents feed from sitting in the trough when not needed and becoming waste as it's spilled out onto the floor. Animal-activated feed delivery helps limit unnecessary flow, but actual feed savings depend on settings, feed form, animal behavior, and maintenance.

Producers were quick to see the benefits of controlling feed waste, one of the largest expenses when raising pigs. The ability to control costs made the design extremely popular, and Osborne expanded its line of mechanical-flow pig feeders.

Feeding Efficiency

The new control that the design offered over feed waste provided savings and made the gravity feeders less desirable. The amount of feed saved varies by feeder design, feed form, adjustment, stocking density, and management. Compare manufacturer documentation and your farm's actual feeding records rather than assuming a fixed percentage of savings.

Cleanliness

Cost savings were the primary driver of the feeder design success, but a second and often overlooked benefit is the self-cleaning trough and the lack of rotting feed left around the feeder itself.

The designers also saw an opportunity to raise the health and general cleanliness of the feeder by installing a 'sweep paddle' in the trough itself. Some feeders today use a mechanical 'bump bar' where pigs push a lever down or bump into a bar to release the grain. Osborne has designed a rotating arm that, when nudged to the side, activates the release. They then placed paddles on the ends of the arms to scrape the bottom of the trough as the arm went through it.

This created a self-cleaning trough activated by the animals themselves! When's the last time anyone saw an animal clean up after itself when done feeding?

Now the feeder is not only saving money on the feed but is also being continuously cleaned by the pigs themselves

Round Trough Design

The final feature change that put this already revolutionary feeder at the top is the round-trough design. It created a less competitive eating area and allowed for more mouths to feed on the same feeder at the same time!

The traditional gravity-fed design used to be a square bottom or rectangular trough. This also changed with the first round design from Osborne. It was shown that a round eating area allows more animals to feed on the same feeder than a square design. This is due to the ability of the hogs to stand around the feeder without their shoulders touching. It creates not only more space for more mouths at one time, but also creates a less competitive feeding environment, which leads to more weight gain!

Round Design for More Standing Room, Less Stress, and Higher Weight Gains!

 

Automatically Converting Feeder

To put all the greatest features together, a new design called the Fast Start Feeder has been developed. This feeder starts as a gravity feeder, so piglets don't have to activate the feed release feature when they are very young. It functions as a straight gravity release until they get older. Once they're old enough and strong enough to turn the arms, the feeder automatically converts to the on-demand design.

This unique feature works by closing the open feed chute to the trough. When the pigs turn the arms, the slides inside the feeder close off the straight drop, and it becomes a feed-saving dispenser all on its own.

Barn World carries the full line of Osborne Feeders as well as a complete offering of livestock feeders for all your farm and ranch needs!

Compare Hog Feeder Options

For additional swine-feeding options, review our hog feeders. Confirm the selected model’s feeding mechanism, capacity, dimensions, included components, and delivery requirements before ordering.