Bale Feeder Designed For Cattle With Horns

2011 - Volume #35, Issue #3, Page #26

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"I couldn't find a portable round bale feeder on the market that would work with long-horned cattle, so I built my own," says Bruce Maitland, DeKalb, N.Y.
  Maitland keeps 25 Scotch Highland cattle on his farm. Their horns are impressive.
  "On most commercial hay feeders the openings are covered by slanted bars to reduce feed waste. Mine has open sides that can be adjusted up or down, depending on the size of the animals and the size of the bales. The feeder's sides can also be slid inward to minimize waste. All adjustments are made using set screws," says Maitland.
  "My feeder has reduced hay losses by 80 percent compared to on-the-ground feeding. It can hold up to six 4 by 4-ft. bales so I can load the wagon at weekly intervals, instead of daily."
  The feeder is built on a used wagon running gear and measures 16 ft. long by 8 ft. wide. There's room for two rows of 3 bales, which set on a floor made from cross members spaced 30 in. apart.
  Each side of the feeder has 2 parallel rails attached to vertical end pieces. Collars with set screws welded to the top rail allow it to be adjusted up or down.
  "I experimented with different size openings and ended up placing the bottom rail 24 in. off the ground, with the top rail 24 in. above that. Anyone with taller cattle or 5-ft. bales may want to add a third rail above to keep the bales upright during transport," says Maitland.
  The sides can also be slid inward to provide the cows with better access as they eat the bales. Short lengths of tubing are welded onto the bottom at the front and back and slide into lengths of larger tubing. "If an animal catches its horns on the sides and pulls back, welded-on chains keep the sides from coming all the way out and falling off," says Maitland.
  The sides are removable, allowing him to use a loader-mounted spear to load bales in from the side.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bruce Maitland, Willow Knoll Farm, 2276 Hwy. 812, DeKalb, N.Y. 13630 (bkmaitland@wildblue.net).

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Bale Feeder Designed For Cattle With Horns LIVESTOCK Beef I couldn t find a portable round bale feeder on the market that would work with long-horned cattle so I built my own says Bruce Maitland DeKalb N Y Maitland keeps 25 Scotch Highland cattle on his farm Their horns are impressive On most commercial hay feeders the openings are covered by slanted bars to reduce feed waste Mine has open sides that can be adjusted up or down depending on the size of the animals and the size of the bales The feeder s sides can also be slid inward to minimize waste All adjustments are made using set screws says Maitland My feeder has reduced hay losses by 80 percent compared to on-the-ground feeding It can hold up to six 4 by 4-ft bales so I can load the wagon at weekly intervals instead of daily The feeder is built on a used wagon running gear and measures 16 ft long by 8 ft wide There s room for two rows of 3 bales which set on a floor made from cross members spaced 30 in apart Each side of the feeder has 2 parallel rails attached to vertical end pieces Collars with set screws welded to the top rail allow it to be adjusted up or down I experimented with different size openings and ended up placing the bottom rail 24 in off the ground with the top rail 24 in above that Anyone with taller cattle or 5-ft bales may want to add a third rail above to keep the bales upright during transport says Maitland The sides can also be slid inward to provide the cows with better access as they eat the bales Short lengths of tubing are welded onto the bottom at the front and back and slide into lengths of larger tubing If an animal catches its horns on the sides and pulls back welded-on chains keep the sides from coming all the way out and falling off says Maitland The sides are removable allowing him to use a loader-mounted spear to load bales in from the side Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bruce Maitland Willow Knoll Farm 2276 Hwy 812 DeKalb N Y 13630 bkmaitland@wildblue net

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