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Round silage bale sheep feeders

  • 21-11-2019 8:45pm
    #1
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭


    Can anyone advise on what is the best round silage bale sheep feeder? Had old ring feeder, but getting to heavy for me when placing it over the silage bale, quite a bit of waste from it as well. What about those feeders that you open gate, place bale and close gate again?


Comments

  • #2
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    countyhouse wrote: »
    Can anyone advise on what is the best round silage bale sheep feeder? Had old ring feeder, but getting to heavy for me when placing it over the silage bale, quite a bit of waste from it as well. What about those feeders that you open gate, place bale and close gate again?

    Yes the best by far and up off the ground too. Im buying a second one shortly.


  • #3
    Lambman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,041 ✭✭✭Lambman


    Bought 8ft feeding barriers here and out the bale in the middle with 4 barriers around it saves alot off waste the round feeders 2 Small sheep pull all silage out and stand up on the feeder till eat too off bale. €50 for 8ft barrier but it's multi purpose can be used for loads a things and a round feeder is €125 or so i think


  • #4
    Ard_MC
    Registered Users Posts: 516 ✭✭✭Ard_MC


    Lambman wrote: »
    Bought 8ft feeding barriers here and out the bale in the middle with 4 barriers around it saves alot off waste the round feeders 2 Small sheep pull all silage out and stand up on the feeder till eat too off bale. €50 for 8ft barrier but it's multi purpose can be used for loads a things and a round feeder is €125 or so i think

    You would hardly have a photo of this set-up? Lookin at my options here. I use 1and a half round feeder round each bale.


  • #5
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    How can you place silage bale in these feeders and take off the plastic, without the bale falling apart?


  • #6
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    countyhouse wrote: »
    How can you place silage bale in these feeders and take off the plastic, without the bale falling apart?
    Take off plastic not the net, first. Then put bale on loader over the feeder close to where it will sit. Cut the net near the bottom of the bale and pull the netting off. Let down the loader and reverse tractor. Close the gate, job done.


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  • #7
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    I will be loading bale with a spike which is not as good as a loader as it will be lower, but will follow your instructions


  • #8
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    Followed your instructions, worked a treat, have to be quick removing the netting as silage tends to start unraveling quickly. Mine chopped. I can see there will be some waste. In order to allow sheep in to feed the space needs to be a certain size, but it will result in silage dropping down. Any thoughts on minimising waste?


  • #9
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    kk.man wrote: »
    Take off plastic not the net, first. Then put bale on loader over the feeder close to where it will sit. Cut the net near the bottom of the bale and pull the netting off. Let down the loader and reverse tractor. Close the gate, job done.


    Worked a treat, see my earlier post


  • #10
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    countyhouse wrote: »
    Worked a treat, see my earlier post
    Delighted it worked for you. Yes you have to be fast with the netting. I always found the better quality silage or hay means you need to be extra fast.

    Your bars are a lot wider on yours than mine, my sheep cant pull out the fodder as easy.


  • #11
    memorystick
    Registered Users Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭memorystick


    kk.man wrote: »
    Delighted it worked for you. Yes you have to be fast with the netting. I always found the better quality silage or hay means you need to be extra fast.

    Your bars are a lot wider than mine, my sheep cant pull out the fodder as easy.

    Isn’t there sheep wire all along the bottom and sides?


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  • #12
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    memorystick wrote: »
    Isn’t there sheep wire all along the bottom and sides?
    No. Tighter bars.


  • #13
    memorystick
    Registered Users Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭memorystick


    kk.man wrote: »
    No. Tighter bars.

    You sure?


  • #14
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    memorystick wrote: »
    You sure?

    Oh.. There are in his alright.


  • #15
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    kk.man wrote: »
    Oh.. There are in his alright.

    The neighbours one I borrowed has some sheep wire on two sides to reduce wastage, however I had to remove it as my one and only pedigree texel got her head stuck in it and I had to cut her free. Any other tips to reduce wastage? See photo


  • #16
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    countyhouse wrote: »
    The neighbours one I borrowed has some sheep wire on two sides to reduce wastage, however I had to remove it as my one and only pedigree texel got her head stuck in it and I had to cut her free. Any other tips to reduce wastage? See photo

    like I said buy one with tighter bars. I have both and the one like yours is getting the door the first chance I get.


  • #17
    AntrimGlens
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,088 ✭✭✭AntrimGlens


    countyhouse wrote: »
    The neighbours one I borrowed has some sheep wire on two sides to reduce wastage, however I had to remove it as my one and only pedigree texel got her head stuck in it and I had to cut her free. Any other tips to reduce wastage? See photo

    I'm sure I put these pics up before of feeders I got made a couple of years ago. I'm sorry but those bars on your feeders will result in half your bale on the ground and sheep wire will either have your ewes hung or all the tags ripped out of their ears.
    Buy a couple of sheets of 3" mesh and tack them on the bottom and sides. You'll pay for it with the silage you save.


  • #18
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    AntrimGlens wrote: »
    I'm sure I put these pics up before of feeders I got made a couple of years ago. I'm sorry but those bars on your feeders will result in half your bale on the ground and sheep wire will either have your ewes hung or all the tags ripped out of their ears.
    Buy a couple of sheets of 3" mesh and tack them on the bottom and sides. You'll pay for it with the silage you save.


    Makes sense, who sells those in the photos and where are they located? Cover important


  • #19
    AntrimGlens
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,088 ✭✭✭AntrimGlens


    countyhouse wrote: »
    Makes sense, who sells those in the photos and where are they located? Cover important

    I designed them myself and got a local fella to make them. Was sick of all types of feeders not working properly and too much wasted silage. About a wheelbarrow full of waste from every bale with these feeders and the tin cover keeps the rain off and Hoggs from jumping up onto the bale. Cost about £400 each to make and galvanise but a lifetime job.


  • #20
    ganmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,748 ✭✭✭ganmo


    What we do is only cut a small openings in the plastic, this is with non chopped silage


  • #21
    razor8
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭razor8


    AntrimGlens wrote: »
    I designed them myself and got a local fella to make them. Was sick of all types of feeders not working properly and too much wasted silage. About a wheelbarrow full of waste from every bale with these feeders and the tin cover keeps the rain off and Hoggs from jumping up onto the bale. Cost about £400 each to make and galvanise but a lifetime job.

    Someone stole your idea

    https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2769634013124546&id=100002339226427&set=gm.1308378402681189&source=48


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  • #22
    AntrimGlens
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,088 ✭✭✭AntrimGlens


    razor8 wrote: »
    Someone stole your idea

    https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2769634013124546&id=100002339226427&set=gm.1308378402681189&source=48

    :D:D Ha, don't think it was worth the bother of patenting it Razor.


  • #23
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    kk.man wrote: »
    Delighted it worked for you. Yes you have to be fast with the netting. I always found the better quality silage or hay means you need to be extra fast.

    Your bars are a lot wider on yours than mine, my sheep cant pull out the fodder as easy.

    I borrowed one last year, where can I buy a new one like yours with the narrow bars?


  • #24
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    countyhouse wrote: »
    I borrowed one last year, where can I buy a new one like yours with the narrow bars?

    Fella in roscommon on done deal used to do them. They had a roof option too.


  • #25
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    kk.man wrote: »
    Fella in roscommon on done deal used to do them. They had a roof option too.

    Which of these is best? See photos


  • #26
    countyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭countyhouse


    kk.man wrote: »
    Fella in roscommon on done deal used to do them. They had a roof option too.

    Which of these feeders is best?


  • #27
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    countyhouse wrote: »
    Which of these feeders is best?

    Attachment no. 1


  • #28
    memorystick
    Registered Users Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭memorystick


    How would this be for finishing lambs? Too high or would I be better with round feeder?


    https://www.foxbros.ie/product/5-x-5-sheep-hay-rack/


  • #29
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,608 ✭✭✭kk.man


    memorystick wrote: »
    How would this be for finishing lambs? Too high or would I be better with round feeder?


    https://www.foxbros.ie/product/5-x-5-sheep-hay-rack/

    As stated the bars are too far apart... Too much waste


  • #30
    memorystick
    Registered Users Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭memorystick


    kk.man wrote: »
    As stated the bars are too far apart... Too much waste

    So the round one is the better option?


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