Tangle Ridge Farm
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Does
  • Bucks
  • Breeding plan
  • Contact us
  • Chickens
  • Reference animals

A day in our life on the farm

Round bales

11/16/2015

0 Comments

 
For the first time, this year we will be feeding round bales to the sheep.  While there are benefits to this method, such as a constant supply of hay (free choice) to the animals and less frequent feeding by the farmer, it presents a new set of issues to be solved.   The first was storage.  Since we have no barns, we built the hay tent structure from 2X4s, tarp and heavy plastic.  We had a few struggles with that, but I think we have it covered (pun intended) now.  The second challenge was moving the bales.  This involved purchasing a 'hay spear' to add to the tractor in order to pick up the bales and move them from place to place.  Since I haven't learned to drive the tractor, this means less work for me.  Thirdly, a feeder is needed to hold the bales for the sheep to eat.   Round bale hay feeders can be purchased for 2 - 300 dollars at the local TSC or other farm stores, or, you can build your own.  Since we've become 'do it yourself-ers' to save money (but not time) we decided to build our own.  This being our first attempt I'm sure there will be improvements to this design, but for now we have a V shaped frame built from 2X4s and lined with 4X4 goat panel fencing. The fencing keeps  the hay from falling through the feeder preventing waste.  The sheep will have to work a little bit for their food, but it will be clean and last longer.  This feeder cost about $50 and a couple of hours to build.  We will be adding a cover to the hay structure to protect it from rain and snow.  We are thinking about a tarp over a frame, yet to be done.
I'll let you know how that turns out.   One round bale should last about 4 - 5 days, the equivalent of about 10 - 12 square bales of hay.  We have 10 adult sheep, 11 lambs, 1 donkey and 3 boy goats eating on it.  Square bales will go to the horses and the goats daily.   I'm beginning to realize my free time consists of feeding and watering animals, especially now that winter is coming.  The weather is still nice, so I'm not complaining....yet.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My name is Christy Franklin. 
    Please leave your comments. I'd love to hear from you.

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    July 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Does
  • Bucks
  • Breeding plan
  • Contact us
  • Chickens
  • Reference animals