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Hay, Forage & Livestock EquipmentBale Feeders for Cattle
A bale feeder keeps hay off the mud and gives cows a place to eat without trampling the feed. The design you choose affects waste, injuries and how much time you spend on chores.
Key points
- A feeder holds the bale up, cuts trampling and keeps hay cleaner.
- Pick the style by herd size, bale size and horn status.
- Look for smooth edges and safe bar spacing.
- Rotate feeder sites and avoid low spots.
- Keep a loader and the feeder away from crowding cattle.
Why use a bale feeder for cattle?
Cattle will waste a lot of hay if you drop a round bale on the ground. They tear into it, walk on it and lie on it. A feeder holds the bale in one place, lets cattle pull hay from it and keeps more of it clean and dry.
Feeders also let you manage where animals gather, which helps spread manure and protect the rest of the pasture.
A small cow herd on a few acres will feel the cost of waste most, because every bale counts. A big herd may care more about how quickly the feeder can be filled.
What types of cattle bale feeders are there?
Ring feeders are circles of steel that surround the bale. Cradle feeders hold the bale in a trough-like frame, usually with bars or panels at the sides. Cone feeders have a cone or hay saver on top that keeps hay from being pulled out and trampled.
Some designs have a solid base or a skirt to catch loose hay. Each has strengths, so ask other cattle owners and local feed stores which designs hold up in your herd.
- Ring: simple, common, easy to fill
- Cradle: reduces waste, may cost more
- Cone or hay saver: cuts waste, check for head entrapment
- Trailer or wagon feeder: moves with the herd
How do you choose the right size?
The feeder has to fit your bales and your herd. A feeder that is too small makes it hard to load, and one that is too large wastes space. Consider the number of animals and how many can eat at once.
Check the manufacturer's information for the bale sizes and animal numbers a feeder is designed for. Do not guess.
A feeder that is hard to load or too heavy to move around is one you will stop moving, and a feeder that never moves makes a mud hole. A rule of thumb from many producers is to plan so that every animal can reach hay at once, since shy or lower-ranking cows get pushed away when space is tight. Ask your extension agent for local guidance on feeder space.
What design features prevent injuries?
Look for smooth, rolled edges, no protruding bolts, and bar spacing that fits your animals. Horned cattle need wider openings than polled cattle, but openings that are too large can trap a head. Calves can be especially at risk.
Inspect feeders before each season for bent bars and cracked welds, and fix or replace those that are damaged.
Keep young calves in mind, because a design that is safe for adult cows can trap a small head. If you run calves with the herd, check each opening.
Where should you put cattle feeders?
Choose firm, well-drained ground, and avoid low spots and creek banks. Moving feeders to a new spot regularly spreads out manure and prevents deep mud around the feeder. Keep them away from fences, gates and water.
Leave room for you to drive in with a loader without getting trapped by cattle. Check for overhead lines before lifting.
If your herd includes bulls, or aggressive cows with calves, give the feeder more room and plan to feed from a safe place. In winter, put feeders where wind and snow drifts will not block your access, and where cattle can lie down on dry ground nearby.
How do you handle cattle and bales safely?
Cattle can crowd a loader, especially at feeding time. Move slowly, keep the bale low, and use a gate or a hot wire to hold animals back while you set the bale. Never stand between a bale and the feeder or in a position where a bale could roll or fall.
Keep your ROPS up and your seat belt fastened. Follow the loader manufacturer's rules for lifting and carrying.
What maintenance does a feeder need?
Check welds, bars, hinges and feet for damage. Paint or treat metal to slow rust. Remove net wrap and twine that falls inside, since cattle can swallow it.
Clean up around feeders when mud builds up. A feeder that sits in a deep pit is harder to fill and harder on animals.
Keep a few spare parts, like bolts and bars, on hand so small repairs happen right away. A loose bar left alone for a week turns into a broken feeder. If a weld cracks, take the feeder out of service until a qualified welder repairs it.
Sources and further reading
- Kansas State University Research and Extension
- Oklahoma State University Extension
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
- NIOSH Agricultural Safety
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.