[Buffy the eggs layer]

Well this year I decided to feed my sheep using large round bales. I started out by containing the bale in metal sheep hurdles so the sheep could eat it and I could gradually reduce the number of hurdles and tighten the frame around the bale as it reduced.


It sort of works but could be improved upon. Have any of you invented a more effective idea.

[Marches Farmer]

There are some very good big bale feeders out there - not too expensive either, in some cases.  Those that keep the bale off the ground and have a "roof" of some sort as well get my vote.  That said we unroll ours, pack it into big bags designed for patio potato growing, and take it to the wheeled field hayracks by hand when necessary.

[Badger Nadgers]

I use small bales myself, but do you mean around it in a square? 

How about mimicking one of the large bale feeders that holds them up in an inverted "V" using two hurdles, then two more across the ends to keep the "V" from flattening out and stopping them pulling hay out too freely from the ends.  Should have the advantage of keeping the hay off the floor, and as the bale reduces in size, it falls down under gravity.  Could work, but I've not tried it.  Potential problems - lifting the bale to start with, and bending hurdles.

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Oow,


   the V idea could work Badgnadg. My bales are in a building that the sheep have access to as a shelter so stay dry.


  Lifting the round bales would only be possible using the spikes on the tractor but I could just roll it in and leave it on its side on the straw then pen it in with hurdles. It would create a larger feeding area and as the bale was eaten at the bottom the hay from the top should drop down....


I sold my curved hay ring feeders as they really needed me to invent some type of hub in the center to ensure that the hay stayed within reach but I will look at the new designs that you refer to Marches. I do have covered Hay feeders on wheels for the rams etc and they do work well but I found the small (horse) bales too expensive.

[DavidandCollette]

I had access to a couple of wooden containers about 1 metre cube.i took the lid off and then took out a couple of horizontal slats on 3 sides. I can drop either a small bale in or take some from the round Bale . will try to get some pics

[SallyintNorth]

The only thing I'll mention about the v-shaped thing is that they'll get a lot of hay and hay seeds in their neck and shoulder wool.  Not a problem if you don't want to use or sell their fleeces

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I started giving them big bales too this year, I bought a large round sheep bale feeder, it cost just under £100 from my local farming store. They are relatively cheap, it depends where you shop, I try and shop around for the best deals.

[Daisys Mum]

I use a ring feeder and put the bale on a pallet, I also bought a fitted waterproof cover to go over the top. It was all a bit expensive but I find that I waste very little hay.

[landroverroy]

 I would agree about the v- shaped feeder not being ideal. It wastes a phenomenal amount of hay as they have to pull the hay out to eat it, and a similar amount gets pulled out at the same time and dropped on the floor. In no time at all they've got a lovely bed of top quality hay to lie on. And they certainly won't eat it once it's been trodden on and soiled.

In order to feed from a sheep ring feeder, however, the sheep puts it head into the feeder, and what it drops is still inside the feeder to be eaten later. There isn't half as much wastage.
You can buy one of these new for about £60 and it's well worth the money for convenience in feeding round bales, and for wahat you save on lack of wastage.

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Hmmm,


          my ring feeders didnt seem to work like that Landroveroy. The sheep pulled lots out, dropped it on the floor and then stood on it to get close to the hay in the ring. They ate the hay round the inside edge of the ring and soon ended up with a core in the middle that they couldnt get to ( hence the need to invent a central "hub"). Come spring the lambies jumped in it for a wee


Perhaps its not new hay feeders I need.....perhaps its new sheep!


I do love the covered v feeder on wheels but yeah they do get crap in their neck fleece. I dont sell the fleeces as crafters love them but dont want to pay for them so I use them to line the earth floor of the pig shelters under the straw.


I saw a wheelie bin idea on the internet which seemed to work well.......

[bazzais]

I've seen the Titan plastic 'bell' bale covers - but they cost about £350

For the same price you could buy 3 bunded round oil tanks and probably make 6 from them as you could separate the skin from the inner.  Then just cut holes in the side.

Ta

Barry

[Hellybee]

There we go then, kick on n make some  , what a good idea x

[Foobar]

How about Stokboard wrapped around  with some sort of elastic mechanism that makes it tighten around the bale as it gets eaten...thus not ending up with the core out of reach in the middle.  with some sort of lid obs

[Marches Farmer]

There is a fairly new design (can't remember the manufacturer) which take a bale on its side, although the very middle of the bale is sometimes so hard packed you have to loosen it by hand.  My field hayracks have lipped shelves below the V-rack, which saves quite a lot of wastage. I just scoop up the stuff on the shelves and put it back in the rack each time I top up.

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Oow you guys are on fire with your suggestions. I have seen the one that you mean Bazz. Great for in the field.


Marches I dont think you can beat the covered ones on wheels really and I was contemplating just investing in a couple more. The big bale in the shed idea works for the first couple of months when all the pregnant ewes and this years ewe lambs are together but come Jan when the first tranche of pregnant ewes are separated for pre lamb feeding I do need feeders for different groups.


My only problem is that the last lot had a 6 week order time from the manufacturer. I may have left it too late this year. At a push I could always mount a shelf board on the fence and hang a hay net beneath it. Us smallholders are nothing if not resourceful.