How You Can Save Hay by Choosing the Right Feeder

Accommodating your livestock’s needs and health requirements comes with years of experience and full-proof planning. That said, it goes the same way for providing the best feeder to prevent hay waste. When climate conditions begin to shift throughout the year and temperatures begin to drop, fresh-cut grass quickly becomes scarce for your livestock.

So, providing the perfect hay feeder for your animals will help them stay satiated while saving you money. Here’s how you can save hay by choosing the right feeder for your land.

Considering the Feeder Size

Depending on what livestock you have, you have to compensate for the size of your animals. For example, horses need an appropriately sized feeder that allows multiple mouths to munch on the hay at the same time. In addition, it’s necessary to monitor your animals to prevent any bullying from happening, monitor their weight, and stay in good condition.

So, make sure you have designated feeding times for the elderly or recovering animals to prevent aggression and waste. It’s a good idea to have a feeder big enough for sharing comfortability, or to have animals on rotating feeding times.

Increasing Safety With Your Feeder

One of the most important aspects of having the appropriate feeder for your livestock is increasing safety. Livestock is known for getting tangled up, hurting themselves, and destroying things not meant to get played with.

So, make sure you find feeders that are specific to the animal, such as a feeder for your horses, another for cattle, and other ones for other types of livestock. Doing so will prevent hay loss and feed the livestock while preventing harm.

Choosing a Specific Feeder

By knowing how to save hay by choosing the right feeder, you’ll help accommodate the livestock you care for. Some hay feeder types include cone feeders, hay rings, and feeder wagons. Cone feeders suspend off the ground, allowing cattle to have more room to keep their heads inside the feed while eating, reducing hay loss.

As for hay rings, they allow cattle to feed without wasting hay from bedding in it or trampling. Lastly, feeder wagons allow hay to quickly move to different locations while holding a couple of round bales. You can even use hay feeders on skids that allow for a durable and portable feeder that gets the job done.

Observing the Outdoor Elements

Not protecting your feed from outdoor elements can result in lost revenue. So, investing in a covered feeder will provide additional protection from weather and eliminate waste. Not only should hay remain contained, but it also needs to stay out of the sun, rain, and snow.