Hay/Haylage/Silage?

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Lollii

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Does anyone feed large bales of hay in their fields? I have two HUGE Percherons that live out, we have started feeding large round bales of hay in their field but they are getting through it in 3 days!! I am not sure how many small bales are in a large round bale is it 8? if so they are eating 8 bales in three days (EEKK!)


Firstly does anyone know where I can buy a cattle/sheep feeder to put the large bales in, I have tried googling 'cattle feeder' but I can't find anything.

Secondly, does anyone feed Silage to their horses? is it ok?
 
Silage would be too wet I think

Most farm shops should sell cattel feeders - Central Wool Growers or somewhere like that definitely do
 
That's about right really as my mare will eat a bale a day and she's a 16.2hh ISH - so too strapping Percherons will munch more!
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Kate x
 
Try googling 'hay feeders' - quite a few come up.

I believe silage isn't good for horses - as Wheels says it is too wet and ferments too easily. Good for cows who can burp but not for horses. Haylage needs using up within about five days once opened - so your two should be OK with a big bale at the rate they are going!
 
Thanks for the replies, I think if I can find these cattle feeders it may slow them down a bit, because they do tend to spread the last bit around!

I will put two bales a week out in feeders, I just don't want to over feed them - blimin elephants!!
 
I left a big square bale of haylage in the field when I went on holiday a couple of years ago so that the lady looking after my horses didn't have to keep taking more out for them twice a day

There was so much waste as they dropped a load on the floor & trampled it so you're right to try and get feeders, there shouldn't be as much wasted then
 
I agree with H's Mum - that's about the right amount.
If you are worried about overfeeding, then it might be easier to monitor their size using a weightape (if large enough) or even better a weighbridge.
Silage is not suitable for horses' digestive systems, and can contain botulism.
S
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I think they are too big for a weigh tape, the vet suggested they weigh approx a ton each
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One is fatter than the other, but neither are underweight or really overweight at the moment, they just stand at the hay now 24/7 munching (and passing it through to the other end lol!) I suppose I worry that they could eat to much and cause problems (other than being overweight)

I have found sheep feeders EBay, I will keep looking, thanks for your help
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I was just about to say the same thing
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, doesnt really suprise me, if there is 8 bales in a large round one then thats only 4 bales each in 3 days so is like a bale a day plus a bit more.
 
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Look up 'ring feeder' that's what my husband (farmer) calls them.
http://www.henryarmer.com/cattle_feed_troughs.htm

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Thanks, I have had a look on there, I think the 'big boys' may get their heads stuck in the cattle feeders! I think I will go for the sheep feeders, they will be able to lean over them.

I will have a look for ring feeders as well. ta again!
 
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I use a sheep ring feeder to feed haylage. I think it would fit a round hay bale fine, and it was about half the price of a cattle ring feeder.

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Can you remember where you brought it from please?
 
ive got 2 sheep ring feeders - cost approx £100 each. they easily fit a large round bale of haylage in. I bought mine from my local agri merchant - Melvynn Carr in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

i found that mine dont wast hardly any haylage using the ring feeders
 
hI - good thread btw as was just thinking about this. I have found a sheep fe3eder for about £90 but how do you get the big bales in there?
 
Please, do not feed silage as it is not at all good for horses, is is design to be fed to cattle who have more stomachs to deal with the bacteria within it.
 
Thanks everyone for all of your brilliant help!

I think the sheep feeders split in two so you can 'wrap' them around the hay once you put it in the field.

The sheep feeders are the cheapest by the look of it, the ones made for horses go up to over £400 - eekk! (I need two of them)

Thanks again
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you are right, they come in 2 halves and just pin together. but as they are fairly light I just tip mine over the bale and let it drop. or if my farmer comes to help he just drops the bales into them with his tractor.
 
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