I have one large horse (2yr old filly Paso Fino) and feed round bales. 1 round bale lasts between 3(winter)-5(summer) months.
Q (Querida) wastes hay from snatching it out of the round bale and stepping on it. Husband and I are planning a feeder for the round bale that won't take up the space of conventional round bale feeders... Ours will be about 5'x7' and the bale will be rolled upright inside the feeder, strings removed just before rolling into feeder. She will have access only through the front (
similar to how dairy cattle are fed at stantion feeders, but the openings will be wider and taller) and the back, bottom and lower-front will be solid, mesh on both sides for air flow.
Q has a tendency to pull out large chunks of the hay. She also likes to 'burrow' into the bale's center, making tunnels like a huge buckskin mole.
Currently, I try to rake it up and toss it back on top, but as she would paw it apart, grind it into the floor and pee on it, I can't do that and much gets wasted. I am hoping that after the feeder is in place she will not be able to pull out as much, and that what she does pull out will stay inside the feeder, if her head is inside, and she won't be able to walk on what she drops. I think the biggest factor will be if she won't be able to paw it apart, she can't stand on it, which was the most destructive.
Would anyone be able to post pictures of their feeders? I'd like to see them...
Heidi