In case you didn’t know, Michael has a side job of building goat feeders and selling them.
You may not have noticed, but we have a “For Sale” page on our blog. We sell milk, eggs and soap.
One thing we have learned over the past year and a half is hay is expensive and goats can waste a lot. We have gone through a couple types of feeders. The goal: minimize hay that ends up on the ground and try to make it difficult for the goats to put their feet in the feeder. You certainly don’t want them in the feeder.
The goats poop on the ground (actually, wherever they are) . Poop is on their feet and in the poop are always worms. If poop gets in their food they are ingesting more worms and that isn’t good. A feeder that meets the two goals that I stated above is a good thing.
We have three different styles that we have used ourselves. Those are the ones that Michael makes for people.
The boys were enlisted to help. Another learning opportunity for them.
Nicholas was in charge of taking pictures for the blog. This is the feeder upside down.
Here it is right side up with the metal panels in them. They form a V and the hay will go in the middle. The goats (sheep in this case) stick their snout in and eat. Any hay that falls out still lands in the base and there should be very little waste. The height of the feeder should prevent them from standing on the sides. For this one, it is miniature sheep so Michael asked the buyer to measure his sheep so he could make sure it was a comfortable height for the sheep to just stand and eat.
Michael offers some upgrades. This one has a hinged roof and you can see the closed off door on the other end which will open for easy clean out. This end doesn’t open.
Michael and the boys tested the feeder out on our own goats.
There is a lot to taking care of goats but we sure enjoy it.
Have a great day,
Karen
The girls continue to love their feeder… as do I! Waaaaaay less waste and lots of room so a lot less squabbling… everybody wins!
(Except Figgy Kruger the nightmare goat who enjoys a good squabble!)
XOXO,B
These goat feeders are awesome. They look very sturdy and like they’ll last forever. What a great way to get the boys involved! Always enjoy seeing what you are up to On the Banks of Salt Creek. xo
It is worth the time/money since they waste so little hay.
One of the greatest things about living here is all the stuff the boys are learning from their talented dad.
If the blog ever makes money I thought about hiring them to be my assistants. Learn about blogging too. That will be a long time from now though.
Have a wonderful weekend. Looking forward to your Saturday post (no pressure).
Hugs,
Karen