A quality hay feeder will minimize money lost to hay that is wasted on the ground. Hay can be wasted in a variety of ways. Hay left lying on the ground is frequently wasted as ground moisture, rain, snow, dirt, mud and animal waste mixes with the hay over a short period of time. Hay fed on the ground is also used to mark territory by dominant horses and makes beds for others, wasting upwards to 50% of its intended use in a matter of a few days, if not hours.

Even hay in an open round bale feeder wastes a significant amount of hay. Hay is pulled out all over the ground surrounding the feeder. Hay on the bottom also rests right on the ground and can become wet and moldy. To minimize waste in a typical ground hay feeder, cone inserts are used. The bale is suspended in a cone to eliminate ground contact. Air circulation through the bottom will keep hay dry thereby reducing waste through mold and rot. Combining a cone feeder insert with a round feeder provides substantial savings and stretches out the hay supply. The insert keeps the hay in the feeder as cattle are feeding and cuts hay loss to a minimum.

SOLUTION: Other types of rack and elevated hay feeders provide proper air circulation as well. Closed bottom feeders can handle loose hay and silage. Covered or solid top feeders provide additional protection from rain and snow.

Feeders that can accommodate round bales can save up to 50% as round bales cost significantly less than the same amount of hay in square bales. Minimizing waste makes a hay feeder pay for itself rapidly.

Slant bars are common on hay feeders as they cause the animal to "tip" their head to go in and out of the feeder. If the animal does drop the hay, it usually stays inside the feeder as they will have to tip/turn their head to get their head back out.

Hay feeders are commonly combined with grain troughs for smaller animals. Feed bunks must be close to the ground for sheep and goats.

A new solution to this problem is a round bale hay feeder for horses that is both efficient and safe. Horses need rounded corners and smooth edges. By using a tubular steel design with no sharp edges, this feeder minimizes the dangers of cuts or serious injuries. The height of the feeder facilitates feeding and eliminates rubbing off the mane of horses (as is the case of some of the other feeders that require horses to place their heads in small openings, a potentially dangerous situation).

Because horses naturally paw at their food, the height of the new round bale hay feeder helps protect their legs from possible injury. And since horses are naturally graze animals, what falls out of the feeder during feeding will be eaten first, leaving little waste.

O`Neill Bale Feeder

Round Plastic Feeder Comes in Two Panels

New square panels are used to create custom sizes and shapes. All plastic feeders that come in panels should have overlapping joints & countersunk fasteners for animal safety. These feeders are easy to assemble, handle and move making them very popular.

Trans-Feeder with Floor Made from 16 Interlinking Panels