Anna, I feel exactly as you do about letting my animals eat in peace!! I am like that with my dogs too. I know that I
could take their food because I know them well, but I also don't want to encourage them to get rude at feeding time or worry that there food will be taken away just to
prove I am ALPHA. I already know. And so does everyone else (including hubby LOL)
I feed Fancy very close to the gate. She starts as soon as I open it and walk in. I tried feeding ehr further back but she gets too pushy so I just give in and set it down (after of course, she stops being rude!) I guess I could slide it through the fence for her. That should work. I can't imagine she would enjoy being fawned over at mealtime, so I leave her alone.
Finale, on the other hand, is funny about feeding. Funny ina good way. He's not concerned at all that I might steal his grain or hay! He's really well mannered (for the most part) so when I come in (he is fed on the opposite side of the gate of his pen) He does not shove his nose in the bucket at all. But he practically RUNS backwards til I get to the spot I put his food down LOL He is so cute! He lets me give him a good petting while he eats, and I only do it because he seems to enjoy it. And I don't do it for his entire meal. If I stick around too long he will inspect
me rather than eat
Oh and I do soak the beet pulp very well. I had read somewhere that it could be fed dry but my goodness! the stuff is hard and has sharp, jabbing pieces in it. I couldn't imagine feeding it dry-ouch!
I don't normally feed them lunch, but I tossed each a little of the new hay and they seem to enjoy it.