Feeding sheep in a yard outside

[aangus]

Was hoping to go down the TMR route to feed ewes, but silage as tested very dry 40%+. So was thinking of letting ewes run outside to a yard and feeding with snacker then back into shed where silage is fed in round feeders, or will I have to go and buy a load of troughs. There'll be about 200 in this group so don't fancy been chased around shed, or anyone got any other suggestions on how to feed concentrates

 

[Jameshenry]

3 in 1 feeder

 

[aangus]

3 in 1 feeder

£?

 

[General-Lee]

£?

Yeah they're not free! Prices on their website.

 

[DRC]

When we lambed sheep, we bought ewe cobs ( very big nuts), and threw them onto the straw bed.

 

[Al R]

3 in 1 feeder

How many would you need for 200 ewes?
Surely mobbing would be a problem and you wouldn't be able to give an accurate feed?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

ewe cobs ( very big nuts), and threw them onto the straw bed.

^this

 

[milkloss]

We collected loads of old wheeled hay feeders from hedges and various farms round about. Chucked the lids away and most of them didn't have wheels left on them but lined them up and filled them up with the silage straw blower.

 

[romneymarsh]

Your suggestion is sound and the least cost option . It will also be easy to spot any shy feeders and those that might get a bit flaky as lambing approaches. Feeding in straw bed is also an option but you are almost certain to be upended on numerous occasions.

 

[harperfarmer]

Just buy enough troughs for 200 and then you know they are all coming out and having their set ration. It's only 20 troughs at say £30/piece? Maybe less if you negotiate. Then you can fill them with no chance of being upended and let them out to feed.

 

[milkloss]

Ignore my previous post, I didn't read the op correctly

 

[DRC]

Your suggestion is sound and the least cost option . It will also be easy to spot any shy feeders and those that might get a bit flaky as lambing approaches. Feeding in straw bed is also an option but you are almost certain to be upended on numerous occasions.

With Cobs, you don't have to go into the pens, just launch them from the side. Unless all 200 are in one pen that is.
You could split into smaller groups and let one group at a time out to use the same troughs. Last troughs needed, but more time needed.

 

[aangus]

With Cobs, you don't have to go into the pens, just launch them from the side. Unless all 200 are in one pen that is.
You could split into smaller groups and let one group at a time out to use the same troughs. Last troughs needed, but more time needed.

They are in one group

 

[scottish-lleyn]

Do you have enough room to drive in the shed with the snacker?

 

[DRC]

They are in one group

Can you split them into smaller groups.

 

[pine_guy]

In the past we have just made our own troughs. 15foot lengths of 5/6 inch by maybe 3/4 inch thick. Something a little thicker to cut to make two ends and a middle brace and four feet (just a block on the side works). Then a pocket full of nails. Work a treat. Would take a photo, but away at the minute.

 

[aangus]

Do you have enough room to drive in the shed with the snacker?

No

 

[aangus]

Can you split them into smaller groups.

No not really, the shed is 70' x 60'

 

[spin cycle]

could source an outdoor pig feeder perhaps...i believe they throw the nuts?.....if so that'd work well i'dve thought

 

[spin cycle]

could source an outdoor pig feeder perhaps...i believe they throw the nuts?.....if so that'd work well i'dve thought

scatch that.....how about a sucker blower...that'd throw them in...bit of dust though?