The Chicken FEED vs GOATS, The Battle!

[Sally Sunshine]

Anyone want to take bets on goats
getting into the chicken feed with ziptied pvc elbows



I was told how bad chicken feed is for them so have been trying everything!!! We made the coop pop doors so small the chickens wouldnt go in at night, but yet those little Nigerian dwarfs could squeeze in!! they can be lil devils cant they!! any other suggestions appreciated,

Also the best low waste hay feeder info would be great too!!










I copy pasted these, but why cant I upload images?

• 

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I sure hope those work for you! Please let us know!

Low waste hay feeder....for goats? What is this thing of which you speak?

 

[Latestarter]

Most that have posted a preference say that the premier one type/style hay feeder has served them best. There are a number of threads on here with pics and descriptions:

http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/pallet-hay-feeder.28227/

http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/30-sheep-hay-grain-feeder-feeds-10-head.15070/

http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/hay-feeder-that-works.31421/

http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/milk-crate-hay-feeders.31089/page-3

http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/hay-feeder-attempt-one.30200/

This was just going a short few pages back in the goat feeding time section. I believe there are additional posts in the sheep section as well. Many of the best reviews I've read have the V shaped central hay bale holding area with a shelf underneath to catch at least some of the "droppage". Some animals will eat hay off the ground, others won't, and most won't eat hay that has been peed/defecated on... Most block off the ends of the "V" to keep the goats from climbing up in or pulling out large flakes of hay to drop on the ground.

A pretty simple design that you can build rather easily and cheaply. Hope you'll post w/pics of what you do!

 

[NH homesteader]

Here's mine. They still waste hay but if I'm good about cleaning out the bottom part I can reuse it. What falls on the ground goes to the pigs.

The ends have been closed in since I got this picture.

As for chicken feed... I fence mine separately. I'm too worried about that exact issue.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I have one of those blue barrels... I need to make me one! Do you have hinges on the top half of the barrel - or does it lift on and off?

 

[NH homesteader]

Hinges. It works so great! My husband is awesome!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Nice! I need me one of those handy husbands, lol. Mine tries..... sigh

 

[NH homesteader]

I can not build to save my life. I'm terrible at fencing too. So thankful my husband can do all those things!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

My DH is always willing to try! Bless his heart!

 

[babsbag]

We ended up putting a fence around the coop with stock panel and a hot wire. Chickens had no problem getting through, stopped the goats.

Here is my hay feeder, I have two of them. They are made with the Premier1 plans. Love them.