The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: Border Lady on November 10, 2015, 05:26:10 pm
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Hi There,
Does anyone have any thoughts about using an old tractor tyre as a cattle feeder for hay. We only have 3 Shetland cows so we don't need anything huge. I'm sure I saw it suggested somewhere. Failing that what sort of feeder would be best, we have large round bales of hay which we can pull layers off but we don't have any lifting equipment.
Thanks
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I use one of these http://iae.co.uk/agriculture/products/sheep-hayrack-wheels/ (http://iae.co.uk/agriculture/products/sheep-hayrack-wheels/) for the cattle.
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I know some people use tractor tyres for horses. My cows have a ring but would rather eat from the sheep feeder like Rosemary's
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I feed the ponies using a sheep feeder as well. Less mess, less wastage, eat slower and easy to move.
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Our Shetlands are fed from a home made feeder made out of a second hand pallet with slatted sides about 2 foot high also from recycled sound timber. It is large enough for two small round bales or a lot of loose hay and will feed six without argument .
It has already lasted a couple of years, with the occasional repair, and can be moved when necessary balanced on top of a wheelbarrow.