Sheep and hay in winter

[baaa]

I am looking for the best way to feed hay to sheep outside in the winter. I only have 70 ewes. A few possibilities come to mind, the hay needs to stay dry and contained. If I had a building nearby I would run them into there but I don't. Maybe some sort of shelter is the answer or just a cover for a round feeder. How do you feed them?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Small bales or round?

 

[baaa]

Big round bales 350kg each.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

You can get feeders with a cover over them but can't remember who makes them now

 

[baaa]

How do you feed yours?

 

[Woolless]

You can get feeders with a cover over them but can't remember who makes them now

It's the company that make 3-in-1 feeders, I'm sure. Forget their name.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

It's the company that make 3-in-1 feeders, I'm sure. Forget their name.

Advantage?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

How do you feed yours?

Just drop the bale in and let them crack on

 

[unlacedgecko]

You're thinking of the Bale Jail by Advantage Feeders.

http://balejail.co.uk

 

[Woolless]

I've found larger ring feeders with diagonal bars are better for reducing wastage. But if I was at home every day I'd be tempted to feed the ewes with a bale unroller and give them a rationed amount each day. They'd soon learn to clear it up.

 

[liammogs]

If your using small bales small hay rack on wheel can be moved everytime they start making a mesd

 

[Dry Rot]

Those big bale feeders always seem to have a problem with hay bridging between the bars. Or maybe it is my hay!

No sheep now but I bought a couple of that type of feeder from a neighbour. He had cut out every other bar in an attempt to solve the problem. Then one of his Highland stirks got it's head stuck and died. I bought them cheap (I'm an optimist) and had the same thing with a young Highland pony. Head stuck and had to be destroyed.

I've since cut the legs down and welded across horizontal bars and they've worked fine for the ponies who can reach over the top. Maybe some sort of a mesh made from chains or wire rope would work? One thing, they don't seem to need a roof as the hay is well aerated and dries out quickly after rain.

 

[Dkb]

Are JFC haybells available where you are?

 

[baaa]

Is this what you mean @Dkb
Has anyone tried them? I didn't realise they now did them for sheep. They seem more lighter and more practical for me. I wonder if it is possible to get it over the bale by hand.
Has anyone tried setting up a portable garage and having a round bale feeder in there? At least they get to lie on the hay they waste!

 

[baaa]

This is the garage I was thinking of

 

[DrDunc]

View attachment 581048
This is the garage I was thinking of

I've got one of those, but there's a car in it!

It's had about a dozen additional anchor points and ratchet straps added to stop it blowing away, despite it being relatively sheltered from the wind beside the house.

What's your issue with the hay getting wet? If it's decent stuff, 70 ewes will eat a bale in about a week. If they're pulling it out and lying on it, it's too course for them.

 

[Dry Rot]

I've got one of those, but there's a car in it!

It's had about a dozen additional anchor points and ratchet straps added to stop it blowing away, despite it being relatively sheltered from the wind beside the house.

What's your issue with the hay getting wet? If it's decent stuff, 70 ewes will eat a bale in about a week. If they're pulling it out and lying on it, it's too course for them.

If you let air into a buildig, i.e. through an open door, you need to let it escape somehow through a hole in the other side or you just have a hang glider effect.

 

[spin cycle]

those hay bells look good....and the easiest/ cheapest option really

 

[baaa]

What's your issue with the hay getting wet? If it's decent stuff, 70 ewes will eat a bale in about a week. If they're pulling it out and lying on it, it's too course for them.

The ewes don't like it so much if it gets wet. I am lucky this year to have found some really lovely hay for them, unfortunately the seller is retiring so wont have any again! I put a bale out and covered it with a silage pit plastic cover and found they were sitting under the cover when it rained, so I know they would like a shelter. Putting the bale in a feeder under a small building would suit, but maybe not ideal for their feet . That's why I wondered what others do.

 

[Dkb]

View attachment 581046
Is this what you mean @Dkb
Has anyone tried them? I didn't realise they now did them for sheep. They seem more lighter and more practical for me. I wonder if it is possible to get it over the bale by hand.
Has anyone tried setting up a portable garage and having a round bale feeder in there? At least they get to lie on the hay they waste!

I thought I replied to this over the weekend but it must not Have saved.

Yes that's the one. They're very easily moved by hand. I have a rope for moving mine by loader but often don't bother.

They work well and keep everything dry

If ders only Hoggs in the field they don't quite reach to the centre so you'll have to pull it out for them a bit after a couple of days then they'll eat it out fine again.

Ewes reach through just fine and won't need that done.