In answer to a question about the hay feeder for the goats–
The origin of this setup was the creep feeder that my cousin picked up at an auction earlier this year.
I had some metal roofing material that had been left here by the previous owners, a feed trough, and some spare wood, and it all came together as a free hay feeder to stave off hay waste this winter.
If you don’t have a metal creep feeder, you can construct a feeder out of wood, making slats. Make it work however you can. If I hadn’t had the metal feeder, that’s what I would have done.
The creep feeder was attached to posts, at a height comfortable for the goats, up against the fence line.
The fence was cut out in the section over the feeder to make room for me to toss in a bale of hay.
The roof, which shelters the feeder from rain, was carried over to also shelter a feed trough for grain.
There is a smaller cut-out here for me to pour in their feed.
This winter, I can cart over a bale of hay and toss it in, and feed their grain, and know that it will be kept safe and dry–and that there will be MUCH less waste!
ibpallets (Sharon B.) says:
Looks great!
So when is the next retreat? LOL
On September 26, 2012 at 6:25 pm
GA_in_GA says:
I can just see the chickens doing a :snoopy: when you pour grain into the feeder.
On September 26, 2012 at 7:53 pm
yvonnem says:
You have it soooo much easier and better there than you did at Stringtown Rising….everything is so perfect in comparison. I’m very happy for you!
On September 26, 2012 at 8:40 pm
brookdale says:
The goats in the last pic are saying, “Hey! We’re on the wrong side of the fence! And where’s our hay and grain? We don’t want to wait for winter. You can put cookies in the feeder NOW!”
On September 26, 2012 at 10:22 pm
cindyinohio says:
Very very cool. I need something similar for my Dexters this winter – especially the rain roof.
On September 26, 2012 at 11:05 pm
outbackfarm says:
I hope I don’t sound stupid, but how will they get the hay and grain? They are all on the other side. Am I missing something here?
On September 26, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
They’re actually on both sides of the fence right now, depending on where I put them at any given time. Doesn’t matter at the moment since it’s not hay time yet. When it’s time, they’ll all be over on that side of the fence!
On September 27, 2012 at 6:32 am
rurification says:
Great setup. So much nicer than what you had to do before.
On September 27, 2012 at 7:37 am
jodiezoeller says:
The goats are saying YES, we’re ready for Winter! I’m sure the sheep are jealous. :sheep:
On September 27, 2012 at 11:51 am
Leah's Mom says:
Liking those… :happyflower: How high is the fence there?
On September 27, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Leah’s Mom, I’m not sure how high the fence is. I’d have to go measure, and I’m not feeling that motivated, LOL. It’s standard fencing for goats. Where it’s cut out, I haven’t had any trouble with them.
On September 27, 2012 at 1:22 pm
joykenn says:
Ok, a related and unrelated bit about goats I saw in the newspaper. OHare Airport is hiring goats–yes, goats to eat up the brush, poison ivy, weeds, etc. on the edges of the airfield. Here’s a little notice in the Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-ohare-goats-deadline-extended-20120927,0,855433.story
Note they, as good employees,have “measureable goals” of 250 sq ft of eating to do each day. Know any unemployed goats who need a job?
On September 27, 2012 at 1:21 pm
bonita says:
@joykenn: goats (and sheep) already work at the San Francisco and Atlanta airports. In Atlanta, electric fences keep sheep off the runways. Sheepdogs protect the sheep from predators, like coyotes, and they also help keep the flock of 100 sheep moving together. In addition, the airport employs shepherds to check the flock three times daily to make sure the sheep are munching happily. We here in ORD-land are looking forward to seeing the little munchers working away.
On September 27, 2012 at 4:55 pm