Advantage feeders

[d-wales]

Does any one use Advantage feeders?, ( the ones with the 'lick' system)An what do you think about them? . I want to feed oats to sheep and I'm worried about them eating to much at one time, some pros and cons would help me out a lot. Thanks

 

[hillman]

I too have been thinking about them I haven't seen them in the flesh what's the build like ? They sound good I like the idea on split feeding for ewes and lambs on the smaller model what's your own views on them

 

[hillman]

Has anyone got one I heard meant to have sold 30 at NSA ram sales in Wales

 

[Komatsu]

Has anyone got one I heard meant to have sold 30 at NSA ram sales in Wales

Think might have been thread running over in the other place about them wee while back, may be wrong not there often! Worth taking a look.

 

[cheggars]

we've got one of the smaller model., Only had pellets through it, has a bit of a tendancy to block when we tried to close it down. Works well as a creeep feeder in spring.
I Like it overall, bit pricey thou.

 

[hillman]

Cheggars do you think it would block with straight grain how low could you get it before it would block , also would it be strong enough for creeping calves one more question no prob creeping lambs managed to keep ewes away . Price aye it's a bit on strong side but over here a standard 8ft creep is hitting hard on €500 if it does what it says it wouldn't be to bad

 

[cheggars]

I Cant see it blocking with grain , probably decined to work with Grain. Not sure if it strong enough for cattle, Should be ok for calves. Did'nt get lambs stuck in it when creep feeding .

 

[Dealer]

Cheggars

Would be happy to chat about your blocking issue, can suggest some settings that will help

d-wales

Will feed oats/barley/wheat with ease and without risk of acidosis

As for quality

they are fully galvanised with 2 year warranty

suitable for cattle/sheep/goats

happy to give more info if you PM

 

[cheggars]

They are well put together, Joints are silicone seald keep water out. I Would say if i bought another one i'd go for a wider one, be easier to fill with a loader.

 

[General-Lee]

I've been looking at these aswell, and am tempted although they're not cheap but the thought of no trapped lambs or narrow headed ewes emptying feeders appeals!!
Do they seem to work, would it cope with large numbers of lambs and how do you get on moving them as it would only be dragged most of the time with a quad?

 

[scholland]

Any more user thoughts/experience? Thinking about trying for ewes instead of blocks or buckets, barley price makes it attractive.

 

[cheggars]

moved it on pallet forks so far , it should slide quite well i'd have thought.

 

[scholland]

we've got one of the smaller model., Only had pellets through it, has a bit of a tendancy to block when we tried to close it down. Works well as a creeep feeder in spring.
I Like it overall, bit pricey thou.

Have you tried to feed ewes at low rates with it? If so how did you get on?

 

[cheggars]

Think you would need a finer pellet /barley etc to get to the low rates.

 

[scholland]

Ordered 2 feeders tonight, going to try replacing crystalyx with them and to maintain ewes before scanning. Well update progress once we get going with them, hopefully they do what they claim!

 

[scholland]

Right here is the plan, one tupping group on crystalyx for week before tups are out and throughout tupping and until scanning (our normal).
Another group on a feeder with mineralised plain barley for same period.
Another group on urea treated barley mineralised for same period.
Aim for low setting on feeder ie 200g per ewe per day, Judge results on scanning % and ewe condition and hope the tups work so the results are fair! I may have to start the urea group on plain barley to get them going. The plan will be then to keep singles on feeders and snack the twins with a better feed.
IF it works as they claim and IF the ewe don't miss the crystalyx then the feeders will be paid for in 1.5 years.
Be interesting to see how much crystalyx they took when they had acess to barley? I may have to do this as ewes are put into larger groups after tups are finished.
Don't like to fix what isn't broken but crystalyx at £840 per ton is eye watering. It may not be entirely scientific as grass could vary slightly and there may be more gimmers in one batch but hopefully it gives an idea. Any thoughts most welcome.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

You really ought to have a 4th group on just grass, to see if the expense is justified at all!
And, as you suggest, they need to be on at least fairly similar grass to compare.
Another option, which may be a non starter given your location, would be to spend the money on fertiliser in August/ September to build up a wedge of decent grass to flush them on.
Be interested how you get on.

 

[hillman]

Sounds interesting Scholland it should give it a good trial out of curiosity what size feeders did you go for

 

[scholland]

You really ought to have a 4th group on just grass, to see if the expense is justified at all!
And, as you suggest, they need to be on at least fairly similar grass to compare.
Another option, which may be a non starter given your location, would be to spend the money on fertiliser in August/ September to build up a wedge of decent grass to flush them on.
Be interested how you get on.

Plenty grass here just now but 1salty gale can change it over night. Inputs over tupping increased scan % by 15% for us

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Plenty grass here just now but 1salty gale can change it over night. Inputs over tupping increased scan % by 15% for us

Is that a trial you've done previously, or just going on long term averages?