hay on slats

marknjb

we have just about finished building our first slated shed and would like to know is it possible to feed hay to cows on slats thanks

simx

marknjb wrote: »

we have just about finished building our first slated shed and would like to know is it possible to feed hay to cows on slats thanks

No prob just have it a bit away from the barrier as if to close a good bit will get pulled in and cause upset to your contractor when agitating

Zr105

Shouldn't be a problem. What type barriers do you have? With just a top rail try will tend to drag in a good bit. Diagonal barrier will reduce it a good bit, but the biggest thing is try not to pile it up against the barrier to much,

Juniorhurler

Have a foot or so of water in the tank to start. Stops stuff sticking to the bottom and the cows dung will be dryer when eating hay over silage I noticed last year myself. The water will be needed when agitating.

marknjb

the barriers are diagonal there is about 3 ft of water in the tank at the moment will pump it out down to a ft
thanks lads

Bizzum

We used to roll out a bale along the barrier, leaving a foot or 18" of a gap for the cows to reach out to. I did notice the occasional cow pulled in a bit onto the slats.

J.O. Farmer

Hay will be fine once they have to put their heads out to eat. They won't pull any in.
How deep is the tank. The 3ft of water could stay and save adding when agitating if you have enough room. I find it can a lot when agitating our tank but it's a bit shallow.

Zr105

If your only finished it now I'm assuming your only going to be puttin cattle on it in short? If so i wouldn't worry about the 3ft of water, its January after tommorow so no matter where you are you've a max of a month of closed period left, i know you may not be able to travel straight away but i say you'll have plenty of scope in the tank to keep you going till you can spread!

marknjb

have to empty it down to a ft so I can get back the level +spade I let fall through the slats