Several larger models are made in two sections that are bolted together. The more common 1.5 × 1.2 m bales (5 × 4 ft) fit neatly into a feeder made from standard 6.5 m lengths of steel, thus saving on materials and manufacturing costs. The bars are slanted to ensure that cattle keep their heads in the feeder while eating and do not grab material and pull it out, losing hay onto the ground in the process.īale size determines the diameter of the feeder. There are two bands or another ring around the circumference near the ground to stop access at the base and to help retain loose material. The slanted side bars are spaced according to personal preference, the circumference of the ring, and the type of cattle (that is, polled or horned), but are generally about 370–400 mm apart. To load the feeder, place the bale on the ground on its end, then roll the feeder up to it and tip it over the bale. The feeders are lightweight and can be tipped onto their sides and rolled to a new site.
#HAY ROUND BALE FEEDER SERIES#
They consist of a top and a bottom ring connected by a series of slanted side bars equally spaced around the circumference. Slant bar feeders are very simple and are generally cheaper than cradle-type feeders. There are many different cattle feeders on the market, but they can be broadly classified into two groups: slant bar feeders and cradle-type feeders. Self-feeders are very simple and reduce losses dramatically by allowing only feeding cattle to have access to the hay. Round bale self-feeders represent a positive step towards reducing the losses associated with the feeding of cattle with round bales. Apart from spoilage of the hay, large areas of pasture beneath it can be damaged, and this is often evident well into the next season. This happens more often when feed is plentiful.
#HAY ROUND BALE FEEDER FREE#
However, if cattle are allowed free access to hay they can cause large losses by walking and sleeping on the material and fouling it. Producers without such equipment can place a whole bale in the paddock and either roll it out like a thick mat or leave it standing and allow the cattle to feed themselves. Purpose-built mechanical feeders are available that can distribute either whole bales or part-bales in an even windrow for cattle to feed on. There are a number of ways of feeding round bales to cattle. Feeding losses are often overlooked, but incorrect feeding out of round bales can easily result in wastage greater than the combined losses that occur during harvesting and storage. Round bale systems are no exception, and often have very high losses. These losses occur during harvesting, storage and feeding out. All fodder conservation systems waste a certain amount of feed.
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