Trickle Net Alternatives?

Martsnets are similar, but not as thick, so easier to eat from. Make sure you don't pack the net too firmly as the fuller it is the harder it is to get hay out.
 
Nibbleze are a softer net and so a bit easier to eat from whilst still being small holed. Shires also do a soft small holed net but I can’t remember what it’s called!
 
Can you split the ration into two nets and tie them in separate parts of his stable? I do this with my little piggies, they like to move between both nets (because of course there may be better hay in the other net........so it has amusement value and when they are moving they ain't eating🙂)

Shires do a whole range of small holed nets.
 
Two ordinary small holed nets, one inside the other.
Or a wheely bin fixed to the wall, letter box slot cut into the bin at floor level, filled with hay. Just make sure the cut edges are filed smooth. This seems to work like a hay ball, where they have to work out how to get at the hay, and trickle feed.
 
Highmileagecob said:
Two ordinary small holed nets, one inside the other.
Or a wheely bin fixed to the wall, letter box slot cut into the bin at floor level, filled with hay. Just make sure the cut edges are filed smooth. This seems to work like a hay ball, where they have to work out how to get at the hay, and trickle feed.
Click to expand...

I used to do this, but I had to bungee the lid down as my cob learnt to open the lid and eat from the top. Also the hay can't be packed in to tight or it gets stuck part way down the bin.
 
lynz88 said:
I looked at Nibbleze and was what I initially wanted to buy but they didn't have a large enough one outside of the bale one
Click to expand...
So I have nibbleze and also softie trickle nets. The nibbleze ones are easier to eat out of for sure and the large size would definitely hold 8kg of hay.
 
lynz88 said:
I looked at Nibbleze and was what I initially wanted to buy but they didn't have a large enough one outside of the bale one
Click to expand...
If they’re what you really want might be worth dropping them a message as they did used to do custom orders so if you know roughly how much hay you need it to hold they might be able to do something for you (the doubleze used to be custom order only but I think now word has got out she’s put them on the main website)
 
Ohh that's great. I dropped Martsnet a message and they weren't particularly helpful but will see if Nibbleze do custom. His hay allotment will go up in the winter so want to make sure there is space. Will have a look for the others suggested as well.
 
Shires haylage soft mesh nets are v good. They come in different sizes. Hold more than the trickle nets too, which are just not big enough imo. I've got both versions of the Trickle nets and out the two, the softee version performs much better.
 
If their dentition is good, mix the hay with straw?

A larger holed net and mix the hay with straw? They spend hours picking the hay out.

I use a nibbleze (weighed ration) + free access to straw.

If you’re concerned about impaction colic, you can dunk the hay in water, so they are getting plenty of fluids.
 
Shires haylage nets are huge, the red ones from memory. Or split into two nets.

My little Sec A has a trickle net on the odd occasion he’s stabled, but small holed nets were always two small for my big heavies, even if I left two. Doubling up two normal nets one inside the other always worked fine. If you take the strings out and re-thread both onto one, it effectively becomes one net and doesn’t get ‘faffy’ when you’re filling.
 
The tricklenet softer nets are good, same size holes but it stretches a bit. Also much easier to fill.

I have some elico piggy nets too, little larger holes but still strong.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top