Feeding hay in the field

[NightStock]

I'm quite tempted to have a go at making my own hay feeder out of a bin. Before I end up with several unusable bins with holes cut out of them that don't work as hay feeders, has anyone done this? Or can anyone suggest an alternative that is not going to break the bank? There are only two of them out together.

 

[paddi22]

yep, I made a load of hay feeders out of old wheelie bins, they work really well. easy to fill and move, and I just attach them to fences when needed. my only tip is don't cut the hole too big at the front, I did that to my first bin and the hay just pulled straight out. you are better off having two of three holes so they can still pull it out but the strip of bin left between the holes stops it going too far. I absolutely love my handmade hay bins and I have them in my stables fixed to the wall now too.

 

[meleeka]

I use tile crates as hay feeders. It stops any pouching around the feeders because I can just move them. I would consider bins if I didn’t have a gutty cob who would just work out how to tip it over and empty the contents! (I use hay nets in the crates).

 

[NightStock]

Thanks both.
I did wonder about them pulling a bin over, my mare is fine but she is in with a rather greedy, little pony. Paddi22, that is a good idea to fix them to something though, hmmm.
@meleeka, I wasn't sure what tile crates were but they look like useful, maybe a silly question but did you have them from a tile delivery?

 

[paddi22]

Yeah I tie them to trees or fences by the handle and then also by the wheels them are fairly sturdy so they don’t fall over once secured.

 

[meleeka]

Thanks both.
I did wonder about them pulling a bin over, my mare is fine but she is in with a rather greedy, little pony. Paddi22, that is a good idea to fix them to something though, hmmm.
@meleeka, I wasn't sure what tile crates were but they look like useful, maybe a silly question but did you have them from a tile delivery?

Next door is a builder, which is very useful sometimes.

 

[milliepops]

My horses climb into tile crates ?‍

I've done the wheelie bin thing before, worked well plus less waste as it keeps the hay dry.

 

[dorsetladette]

I have wheelie bins. I tie them to a fence post and move them every week or so. Much less waste.

I've stopped using them (and haynets) while baby pony settles in and the waste is unbelievable to be honest. I'm putting them back out tomorrow.

You will need to fiddle around with the hole size to start with - go a little smaller to start with and then work from there. Also you can't over fill it as if you pack it to tight the hay gets stuck half way down. I use 2 bungee cords (top and middle) to attached to the fence and then another bungee to hold the lid shut. One of mine worked out to lift the lid and eat from the top. Sometimes the wind catches them too.

 

[paddi22]

one of the handy side effects to feeding hay from a wheelie bin is that your horse will never spook at wheelie bins on hacks again!