A properly selected feeder and drinker for cattle will make the farmer’s work easier and make the process of feeding animals simpler and more comfortable. When choosing, take into account the basic requirements for feeders, as well as their type and purpose. For proper nutrition of cows, it is necessary to install separate drinking bowls, containers for combined and dry feed, and feeders in the stall and in the pasture.
Types of feeders and requirements for them
Livestock feeders differ depending on their purpose, type of design, and materials from which they are made. To organize the process of feeding animals, it is necessary to install structures for hay, dry food, drinking systems and gutters. Feeders for the stall and for the pasture are installed separately.
For the stall
If the farm contains a small number of livestock, hanging feeders and troughs are used. For calves, compact nurseries are suitable, for the rest of the livestock - straight or inclined structures. Main features of hanging stall feeders:
- direct type models - it is convenient to load food into them and they are easy to clean;
- inclined structures - they make it easy to maintain order in the barn, and they are also convenient for animals;
- automatic models differ in price, but with them the feed supply is automated.
Automatic feeding systems require regular cleaning, but when working properly they minimize the farmer's labor. The feed is dosed into the container in a given quantity at set intervals.
If the barn contains a large herd, it is worth considering a type of structure such as a table. The feeding table is a long structure located on a hill so that the animals can easily get food. The feeding table is additionally equipped with partitions to facilitate the cleaning process.
Out to pasture
Cow feeders are installed in the pasture to provide the animal with food for the whole day. Depending on the type of content, the appropriate type of feeder is selected. Also, a separate design is chosen for each type of feed.
- Hay cubes and racks are perforated structures. It is important that the feed does not spill and that the cows have access to hay.
- For grain and combined feeds, plastic or metal-plastic automatic models or ordinary containers made of the same materials are used.
When keeping cows tethered, individual feeders are used, and when free-range, you can choose collective models.
For concentrates and combined feeds
Feeding concentrates and mixed feed is necessary for the full growth of cows and bulls, as well as for maintaining high productivity. It is convenient for farms to use automatic feeding systems. Here are their main advantages:
- the ability to establish feeding without human intervention;
- presence of a dispenser;
- ease of care;
- capacity;
- safety.
Automatic designs are not used only in cases where the herd contains particularly violent animals that require special housing conditions.
For hay and dry food
Hay and dry feed can be used to feed cattle, both in the stall and in the pasture. For these purposes, it is necessary to equip a separate feeder. The most convenient are rectangular and conical metal feeders with lattice walls. Cows have access to pre-loaded hay through the distance between the bars, without the feed being scattered throughout the stall or pasture. This simplifies the cleaning process.
Here are the criteria for choosing a feeder for dry food and hay:
- capacity of the container, compliance of volumes with the needs of livestock;
- safety - the design should not contain sharp corners, protruding elements and small parts that could be broken by an animal;
- it must be made of durable materials;
- Feeders for cattle should be easy to clean.
The feeder must cover the needs of the herd. For a large herd it is worth purchasing and installing several. The number and dimensions of feeders must be calculated so that the entire herd can have access to feed at the same time. It is important that the design is made without sharp corners and parts that could injure the animal.
How to make a feeder yourself at home
For a small herd of cows, you can make feeders yourself using ready-made diagrams.
With folding walls
You can make a feeder with folding walls with your own hands. To do this, you need to prepare the necessary materials and tools, take the finished drawing and follow the step-by-step instructions.
What you will need for production:
- jigsaw, saw - electric or manual;
- drawing - ready-made or created according to individual measurements;
- tape measure for measuring boards before cutting;
- sanding machine and sandpaper;
- fasteners - nails, self-tapping screws;
- boards - coniferous, oak or other practical and durable options;
- metal profile, corner or wooden slats;
- latches or hooks for fixing folding walls, awnings.
Attention! When creating cow feeders, it is best to use quality wood. Otherwise, the structure will quickly deform under the influence of moisture or sun. The best option is hardwood.
First you need to take measurements and cut the wood according to the drawing. The slats are assembled into a groove without a front wall - it is made separately. The folding wall must be secured to the gutter using metal canopies, and hooks or latches must be installed at the top on both sides for fixation.
Feeders with a hinged wall are easy to clean. The principle of the bunker model is used to create the structure. It will operate in semi-automatic mode.
Group feeder
To create a group feeder, use concrete as a base and a ceramic half-pipe to make a trough. The following scheme is suitable for this. You can change the length of the gutter, depending on the number of livestock.
Initially, it is worth making concrete supports, which need to be well fixed to make the structure stable. Fencing grilles are made from reinforcement, which are fixed using holders.
Reliable and convenient group feeders are also made from metal slats and galvanized sheets. A ready-made diagram is suitable for manufacturing. If necessary, you can change the dimensions.
The sizes are selected based on the picture, and you can experiment with materials. You will need fittings, a metal corner or pipe, and hardwood slats.
Drinking trough for cows
To maintain health and milk production, cows must be provided with clean drinking water daily. For this purpose, drinking bowls are installed - ordinary containers or automatic structures. If there are no more than 5-10 cows in the herd, you can install troughs and bathtubs for watering, but wash and sterilize them periodically. It is important that animals receive clean drinking water every day - the health of livestock and the quality of milk produced by cows depend on this.
Important! When choosing a drinking bowl, you need to take into account the needs of cows - each adult should receive 70 liters of water per day.
Modern drinking bowls can be divided into two groups:
- individual;
- group.
Individual drinkers have the advantage of reducing the risk of infection spreading within the herd. Today, manufacturers offer drinking bowls of the following varieties:
- cup drinkers - with a tongue or a valve, are rarely used and only for livestock without nose rings, not practical due to the need for frequent cleaning;
- ball and valve drinkers - suitable for open paddocks and pastures, do not freeze even without a heating cable;
- drinking bowls - the best option, are containers in which the water level is adjusted due to a float mechanism;
- valve drinkers with a float mechanism are a convenient model with high throughput.
Drinkers are made of plastic or a combination of this material with different types of stainless steel. Drinkers for cattle must be selected taking into account the number of livestock and its needs.
The most convenient option is automatic drinking systems with uninterrupted water supply and frost protection.
Correctly selected feeders and drinking troughs for cattle make it easier to keep and feed animals. It is important to think through everything in such a way as to automate feeding, facilitate the process of cleaning the stall and calculate the volume of feeders so that all livestock receive adequate nutrition.
