Slow hay feeders vs haynets - anyone use/recommend the former?

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SadKen

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My girl is currently having hay and a bit of haylage (because I love her) from a trickle net - but she's very dextrous and manages to eat a full net in about 3 hours. I've also seen her effectively ragging the net to get the hay out and I don't think this is very good for her neck. I'm thinking about getting a trough type feeder for her hay as she's a greedy piggy and I can't give her any more hay or she'll get fat. I don't like the idea of her being without hay for long periods either.

Has anyone used a slow down type hay feeder, and if so was it any good? Would appreciate any recommendations, particularly for a reasonably priced one (as the ones I've found from America are like £300!). This is just for in the stable rather than outside. Thanks folks!
 
Yes, I've had the same problem with my pony and I eventually bit the bullet and bought a Porta Grazer. Apparently, it is almost impossible for a horse to get the tray out - try telling that to my pony :rolleyes: The problem seems to be that, as with hay nets, trying to restrict him just spurs him on and he actually eats much slower with the hay on the floor. The other thing is that with hay in it, the tray of the Porta Grazer gets pulled up as the hay is pulled out (we had it out completely twice and even worse jammed half way once meaning he then couldn't get at the hay underneath).

I've solved my problem now by letting him have the hay on the floor and filling the Porta Grazer with Honeychop unmollassed chopped oat straw (it works brilliantly with this) meaning he now never runs out of food in the stable.
 
I'm trying to convince my husband to make one for me, for the field - I've found one in America for use outside with stainless steel mesh, so know how it needs to be contructed. I have sourced the stainless steel mesh just need a good carpenter to make the box for me. Guess what OHs job is, yes a carpenter! Can I get him motivated, not a chance, golf course always calling.
 
I made my own version of slow hay feeders, which are round. I used blue pipe to make a frame, then stretched hay net netting over the top of that to make a tray to go on top of the hay. Bungee cords run down through the netting at the side of the tray so that it slides down that and can't be hooked off. Here is a photo of my first attempt, but I've improved the design a bit since then, using different tubs and a few other modifications. I'm going to take photos at the weekend so can post them up in a few days time.
DSC04739.jpg
 
for a very simple ground level feeder, we just tie a trickle net inside a flexible plastic laundry basket(the ones that look like trugs with holes in).

by tying the cord through a hole, under the net, back through the net and then another hole it holds it in the bottom.

They tend to nibble and gently pull up as yanking just moves the entire thing around too much, so much better for necks. Wont work on a very destructive creature but for £5 for the trug it works ok and does slow them a bit as they cant grab and yank to get it out, have to push down and nibble.
 
You could use those big tubs I have like that Princess, probably get a couple of big nets in. For anyone interested, they are giant plant pots used for trees, and they are often scrapped. So worth talking to landscape gardeners to track them down.
 
Prince33Sp4rkle said:
for a very simple ground level feeder, we just tie a trickle net inside a flexible plastic laundry basket(the ones that look like trugs with holes in).

by tying the cord through a hole, under the net, back through the net and then another hole it holds it in the bottom.

They tend to nibble and gently pull up as yanking just moves the entire thing around too much, so much better for necks. Wont work on a very destructive creature but for £5 for the trug it works ok and does slow them a bit as they cant grab and yank to get it out, have to push down and nibble.
Click to expand...

Any chance of a pic??
 
will be watching this with interest as I am currently debating how to make two slow feeders for the field - they are currently just having nets but the last bit gets mushed right into the mud. I have got as far as deciding to get marine netting to go over the top but not sure about the actual container!
 
nikanita said:
I have sourced the stainless steel mesh...
Click to expand...
'
We made 2 slow feeders after seeing several on YouTube. We used gridwall, which comes in 3 feet, all the way to 8 feet, lengths, all being 2 feet wide. The openings are 3 inches square. It is heavy enough to withstand the horses pulling hay through it, but not so heavy as to make it difficult to lift and position within the feeder box. It is rigid and does not bend. It is easily obtainable through ebay. If you go to this link: http://youtu.be/kL0o_N_W_w8, you will see a slow feeder being filled. Ours is similar, but we made ours about 6 inches off the floor (for ease of cleaning). We also put a 2 inch weld mesh floor in the bottom to allow dust to fall to the floor. We attached 2 inch wide steel angle irons on the lid and corners to prevent our donkeys from chewing on the wood. One of the most important things to do, when filling the feeder with hay, is to pull the hay apart so that there aren't any tight clumps. The open, hinged lid is there to prevent the gridwall being pulled out while the horses feed. I don't know how we survived without these feeders...there is NO waste, and it slows down the feeding process so that the donks are occupied much longer.

The gridwall that we have been using is chromed steel. It does rust. I would be very interested in acquiring stainless gridwall. Is yours gridwall or stainless steel mesh (there is a big difference)? Where did you find the stainless steel mesh, if you don't mind my asking?

Ours are used indoors, but can be placed in the field. You might want to secure some kind of overhead protection from the elements if used outdoors.
 
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