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| Finnsheep Ewes |
We've been feeding a combination of round bales to the horses and square bales to the sheep because the square bales are small enough for me to handle without the need for equipment to move them.
While square bales are easier for me to handle, round bales are more economical. Our hay supplier does both so we have access according to what we want and need to feed.
In the past we have opted for round bales for the sheep,
both with a traditional round bale feeder and just plopping them on the ground.
Either way there seemed to be a good deal of waste as the sheep pulled out,
trampled and laid down on the hay. Additionally, I found that hay in the wool
was problematic too.
On the recommendation of a friend and fellow shepherd, this
year we opted to try a round bale feeder from Premier Livestock supply in Iowa.
This feeder consists of square panels with square holes cut
into them at two different heights. This allows both lambs and mature sheep
access to the hay at the same time. The square panels are easily assembled and
you can purchase as many as you think you need to make a small bale feeder or a
large bale feeder.
Ours has been in place about four days now, and the
difference was seen immediately. There is NO waste of hay with this feeder. It is wonderful not to see the ground strewn
with hay. The lambs can get to and reach the hay while the bigger ewes feed.
This eliminates the tendency for someone to wait to eat, assuring that everyone
is getting fed, not just the piggy ones.
The downside is that I cannot move the round bales myself
but have to rely on D.H. Of itself this isn’t really a bad thing we just need
to plan to move the new bale at a certain time.
The final downside is the shipping cost for the feeder. As
far as I know the only way to get equipment from Premier is to have it shipped.
This can be costly, but having considered this, I believe it is well worth
the cost.
Check it out:
http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=99
Kathryn
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