Self feed wire

[jimmer]

If you’re pits are only 30ft wide and you’re already grabbing down the top why not just put a few more feeders out and grab the lot down?

Better intakes, less waste, no worrying about cows breaking through wire. Surely not take much more time grabbing out whilst you’re already there?

Not wishing to criticise, just interested to know what works for you

The feeding area for feeders is in front of the pits and isn't big enough for enough feeders
There aren't gates or anything in front of pits so would have an electric wire keeping them out anyway, so just as well feed there as well

 

[Happy hillbily]

@jimmer found one.

 

[early riser]

The feeding area for feeders is in front of the pits and isn't big enough for enough feeders
There aren't gates or anything in front of pits so would have an electric wire keeping them out anyway, so just as well feed there as well View attachment 909974

how many cows do you plan to feed across that pit space?

 

[betweenthelines]

Last year I used metal barriers on self feed face, they worked OK, but too much wastage on the floor
I want to use electric wire this year
I have two pits side by side with 12ft concrete walls, can I have others successful methods for wire placement and tightening please
I'm guessing some kind of metal bracket that will slide along wall and run down the wall either side to attach wire onto is required
Pics would be great
Cheers Jim

Why do you think a hot wire will reduce waste? Would it be an idea to alter the barrier height?

I think a hot wire makes the cows nervous and reduces intake.

 

[O'Reilly]

Not a brilliantly clear photo, but I had these barriers made up for self feed. It's a tombstone barrier with a return at the ends to butt against the silage. Works very well. Will need to extend the return this year, as these are two foot, and they can reach a bit too far. Did nearly 9000l per cow this year.

 

[sidjon]

Not a brilliantly clear photo, but I had these barriers made up for self feed. It's a tombstone barrier with a return at the ends to butt against the silage. Works very well. Will need to extend the return this year, as these are two foot, and they can reach a bit too far. Did nearly 9000l per cow this year.

Seen several cows killed In tombstone feeders on clamps, lump of silage fall and they're toast.

 

[Sharpy]

Seen several cows killed In tombstone feeders on clamps, lump of silage fall and they're toast.

Thats poor pit management, not the fault of the barriers.

 

[sidjon]

Thats poor pit management, not the fault of the barriers.

No was multi cuts filled clamp, pit was square and wasn't very high, just let go on the joint. We self fed three cuts (1 being wholecrop) in our largest clamp and had it slip from 10ft back, had to dig out a couple of cows but all lived, if it was tombstones on a chance.

 

[jimmer]

how many cows do you plan to feed across that pit space?

180

 

[Beef farmer]

Next joke

 

[Farmer Keith]

180

thats a bit of an issue 2 x 30ft clamps gives you feed space for around 80 cows.

 

[jimmer]

28 cows feed at a time, 20 minutes per visit, 7 groups in the herd, 5 visits per day, plenty of time for eating sleeping and milking

 

[Beef farmer]

28 cows feed at a time, 20 minutes per visit, 7 groups in the herd, 5 visits per day, plenty of time for eating sleeping and milking

Exactly, who has a milking parlour that holds all the cows at once

 

[Blue.]

A relation was amazed by how much more milk he got when tipped a grab in a ring feeder,he’d done 40 years of self feed when he realised this,he’s used a ring feeder besides every year since.

 

[Sharpy]

No was multi cuts filled clamp, pit was square and wasn't very high, just let go on the joint. We self fed three cuts (1 being wholecrop) in our largest clamp and had it slip from 10ft back, had to dig out a couple of cows but all lived, if it was tombstones on a chance.

No was multi cuts filled clamp, pit was square and wasn't very high, just let go on the joint. We self fed three cuts (1 being wholecrop) in our largest clamp and had it slip from 10ft back, had to dig out a couple of cows but all lived, if it was tombstones on a chance.

So the management of the pit filling was at fault?

 

[sidjon]

So the management of the pit filling was at fault?

Probably, but tombstones had increased the risk of death.

 

[dinderleat]

Exactly, who has a milking parlour that holds all the cows at once

Life goals

 

[Blue.]

Exactly, who has a milking parlour that holds all the cows at once

I can get 66 in mine,only 32 machines though.

 

[Bowland Bob]

I use 2 x M8 Eye rawl bolts, with holes drilled into concrete wall every 12 - 18 inch. Spring clips and chain between eye bolts on each wall then electric fence wire across the face.. Works much better than the barriers ever did.

 

[Bowland Bob]

I use 2 x M8 Eye rawl bolts, with holes drilled into concrete wall every 12 - 18 inch. Spring clips and chain between eye bolts on each wall then electric fence wire across the face.. Works much better than the barriers ever did.

I drop the clamp down to prevent overhang and helps with intakes, just move wire as appropriate.