Large Hay Feeder - Eden Shale Farm

Watch the FULL VIDEO TOUR (9 min.) for the Large Hay Feeder and see a walk-through of the system’s specifications, post feeding results/observations, and farm management implications. For more information you can visit the blog at www.edenshalefarm.com.

[@bajamerica]

You could attach a retractable rolled tarp to the same track system, which would keep all the unused hay covered, and rolled up under tension as the cows push the feeder forward.

[@patbrowning3508]

Just added this to our cattle farm, will start using it the first of Feb. Ours is 8 ft. wider due to being put in a existing 32x72 hoop barn. I am hoping the results are as good as the ideal.

[@noahgregory6594]

What it cost to make the structure

[@samweber38]

I would like to try this system on a small bunk setup to feed forages

[@djrichielapotencia]

Use good hay?

[@blakepreston9108]

Like it, but what happens when you get 3ft of snow and ice?

[@northernmetalworker]

Put a roof on it obviously

[@jeffreybrown9366]

If you fill it with a bale processor it takes away wasted air space and wouldn't have to load it as often

[@ajoshmiller]

Wow, that's a great idea!

[@Tiffycha1982]

Where can the supplies for this structure be bought??

[@jwiereng]

Steel from steel supplier, feeder gates from fencing supply store, or farm supply shop

[@blakepreston9108]

Anywhere

[@bcpfarmandtrucking6560]

I'd like it more if it was portable

[@JohnGrahambeehive]

Wow how as that allowed? That’s a total mess!

[@DanielRead]

"You need good hay" puts nasty wet hay in.

[@williamking954]

exactly. They better or be forced to eat that shit hay or wont be able to push forward. Baling up ya going to have baling up. UGH.

[@Tiffycha1982]

It really isn't crap hay, that outer layer is wet, but the inside is still amazing and green. Our farm, for instance, doesn't have a place to store round bales inside, so ours sets along side of our driveway until we need it. I will say, the cows still love and eat that outer wet layer as well.

[@allenhood6105]

How is it feed efficient to let a cow eat all they want? The idea was ok and I get the premiss of self feeding and keeping cows out of the mud, and yes they won’t waste as much hay that way, but it’s never efficient to let cows eat all they want. U could have used the money u spent there and put in feed bunks and bought a tmr feeder and put the cows on a feed ration and only fed them what they needed and saved hay and feed while putting weight on cheaper.

[@Tiffycha1982]

This is ideal for grass fed cattle in areas that have winter months and must eat hay over grazing pasture. It's never a good idea to limit/time what or how long a cow can eat...they need to have access to grass/hay/pasture 24/7. Grain fed cattle have more health issues because of this reason.

[@liamhughes4589]

Looks like paying attention isnt your strong point he clearly shows that you can set stops to limit the amount of feed they can eat in any given feeding.

[@allenbraun8759]

That hay looks terrible.

[@VirginiaPrepper]

That hay is wet and nasty. Only good for composting.