Self feeding chopped hay

[GDR]

Been thinking about building some large feed panels the cows could push in to a feed pile as they eat. Want a system where I can chop some straw in with some hay but not have to start the tractor everyday to feed. Mostly feed with a truck and bale handler but need to stretch feed a bit this year.

Was thinking about 2 side freestanding panels and have 2 end feeder panels that hang and slide in as the feed is used up.

Anyone ever build anything like that?

[grassfarmer]

No, but I've seen various reports of people doing the same thing. Should be able to search up articles on the internet showing the system and designs. I think prairie farm report covered it too?

[smcgrath76]

We had a neighbour that built something similar. They had a fenced yard and a panel on wheels that moved in. They sold it at his estate sale a few years ago and I don't have pics. I think it worked pretty well.

[perfecho]

Had purchased some feed thru panels that came off of a similar system. Believe the two sides were stationary, made out of drill pipe..and they two movable panels kind of hung on the stationary sides...would roll in as used....believed they used a chain to make sure it couldn't roll to the outward side or to keep bottom of movable panel from flipping up.

Remember my grandfather using a hammer mill and fed hay and straw bales (square) along with barley or oats....into an old granary with a few boards taken out along bottom for a self feeder....must have worked.....

[WiltonRanch]

Seen something on Kijiji which held 8 big rounds or equivalent volume of tubground material. Claimed 60+ head could feed off it for however many days with little waste. Think it was called a swing feeder.

[perfecho]

If the same thing, they would push in from the bottom on a hinge on top.....let animals get closer to the bale.....many bale feeders are a real problem for calves unable to reach the bale.