Mineral feeder ideas

[cotswoldcs]

We start lambing soon and suffer with magnesium problems in ewes if we do not supplement. For many years we have tied an old 25l barrel on a gate with a hole cut out for ewes to access a high mag mineral powder. We top up as required and probably get through 20 x 25Kg bags in a season (1,000 ewes). We also use mag flakes in the water troughs where possible. Last year we had an issue with sheep wasting minerals by tipping them over themselves and on the floor. Had an issue with excessive minerals in the fleeece at shearing! We tried bolting brackets on the drums but sheep would destroy them in no time. Looking for a better solution.

Any ideas of how to provide free access minerals to sheep? I assume that if I put it in a bucket on the floor lambs will get at it and consumption will go up?

 

[exmoor dave]

Advantage feeders do a really great hopper for loose minerals

MINERAL ATTACHMENT - Advantage Feeders

Stronger, Last Longer, More control UV stable material Bolt on feeder or hang on posts or gates Over centre roof latches Weather protection 5 year warranty*

advantagefeeders.co.uk

 

[cotswoldcs]

Looks good. Can you fit them high enough on an 1800 so that lambs can't reach?

 

[Dealer]

Come with brackets so hang them on a hurdle to keep out of reach of lambs if you need to.

 

[Chasingmytail]

be cheaper to bolus them - issue being no mag in them? We bolus and put Rookies salt licks out. At the mo the ewes inside have molasses licks too. So Im doing 3 things to avoid further issues as we are low in everything here. Also planning on improving the soils over the next 12 months and new lays to some fields. Does the vet offer any advice or soil sampler? https://dallaskeith.co.uk/sheep-feed/liquid-supplements/

You can get those molasses wheels where minerals can be added?

 

[cotswoldcs]

The problem with Mag Boluses is they don't last very long. My issue with anything on the ground is that young lambs can get to them and they don't really need it. With nearly twice as many lambs as ewes it's enough of a cost to do the ewes!

 

[TomO]

For cattle i have a plastic drum with concrete in.

 

[jonnyjon]

We start lambing soon and suffer with magnesium problems in ewes if we do not supplement. For many years we have tied an old 25l barrel on a gate with a hole cut out for ewes to access a high mag mineral powder. We top up as required and probably get through 20 x 25Kg bags in a season (1,000 ewes). We also use mag flakes in the water troughs where possible. Last year we had an issue with sheep wasting minerals by tipping them over themselves and on the floor. Had an issue with excessive minerals in the fleeece at shearing! We tried bolting brackets on the drums but sheep would destroy them in no time. Looking for a better solution.

Any ideas of how to provide free access minerals to sheep? I assume that if I put it in a bucket on the floor lambs will get at it and consumption will go up?

Stick " Greg Judy minerals " into YouTube

 

[Hesstondriver]

there used to be a round (ball) shaped container that moved so no poaching for either loose mineral or rumavite blocks .but i can find a picture yet