Hay Saver Feeders

Forage Alternatives

With limited hay supplies this year, you may be interested in alternatives. Read this article for more information.

Savings on hay waste will pay for the cost of the feeder in one to two years!

All of our feeders are designed with saving hay in mind!
The average savings has been calculated at 20%- 50% from other types of hay feeding. When paying an average of $4.00-$12.00 per bale of hay, that is a savings of $.80-$6.00 per bale. Averaged out over a year time that can add up to $31.20-$234.00 per animal.
Considering an average breeder has 20 animals that is an annual savings of $624.00- $4,680.00 for an average farm or ranch.
So the savings in hay waste alone can pay for the cost of 3 or 4 feeders over a one or two year period!

Avoid E.mac and other parasites!

Feeding hay or grain on the ground can promote parasite loads especially coccidia like E Mac that doesn’t go through a larval stage to be infective. Using a Hay Saver feeder to feed hay and grain keeps them off the ground and reduces the risk of parasite transference.

Avoid Choke

By feeding grain (pelleted supplement to hay) on the tray of the Hay Saver Feeder the risk of choke is greatly reduced to the point of being practically impossible. Choke occurs when an animal “inhales” a large quantity of grain that gets caught in the esophagus after expanding from exposure to saliva. By feeding the grain in the tray of the Hay Saver Feeder the grain is spread out on a flat surface so the animal has to “chase” the grain thereby slowing the consumption to very safe rates. A secondary benefit of feeding in the tray is that the hay remnants are moved around which avoids the build up of moisture laden hay and debris. The hay in the tray stays fresher and is more easily consumed further reducing waste.

• Our Hay Saver Feeders are manufactured in two different varieties.
Single sided feeders are ideal for the inside areas of a farm or ranch such as a barn, three sided shed or under awnings.
The double sided feeders are most useful in the outdoor areas of a farm or ranch like in paddock areas or in pastures.

• All of our feeders are designed with saving hay in mind!
The average savings has been calculated at 20%- 50% from other types of hay feeding. When paying an average of $4.00-$12.00 per bale of hay, that is a savings of $.80-$6.00 per bale. Averaged out over a year time that can add up to $31.20-$234.00 per animal.
Considering an average breeder has 20 animals that is an annual savings of $624.00- $4,680.00 for an average farm or ranch.
So the savings in hay waste alone can pay for the cost of 3 or 4 feeders over a one or two year period!

• And clean up is minimal. no more wet, messy hay to clean up in the spring

• All Hay Saver Feeders are made from strong (16) gauge square tubing. Most being made from the ¾” square tubing, with some bases being made out of 1” square tubing. This provides a strong structure for containing the hay and being able to take plenty of abuse by the animals.

• All Hay Saver Feeders are constructed of the same “Tuff Sheet” material used in our other equipment providing the lightweight and durability of the feeders. This material is easily cleaned and can be easily replaced if damage was to occur.

Cold climate closure option:
The double sided feeders are supplied with a double ended thumb latch. However in wet cold climates the thumb latch can freeze in the winter making them inoperable. As an option we can supply a bungee cord in the proper length & strength to be used as show in the photo to the left. Please add this item to your order at the time of ordering.

4′ Single sided feeder 4SSF

6′ Double sided feeder 6DSF with Bungee for Feeder (see tip)

Panels – Gate w/ 4SSF Feeder

Choke Free Feeding

Double Sided Feeders

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: We are interested in the one with the 3.5

A: The bar feeders aren’t as effective in controlling hay waste and loss. However some prefer them so that the alpacas can’t rub their noses as easily.

Q: How do we know how high to place it so the alpacas are in the right position as to not rub their nose on the bars.

A: The feeders are adjustable in height and should be set high enough to reduce the acute angle into the mesh but low enough so the little ones can eat if desired. I have my feeders between 13″ and 15″ off the ground.

The rubbing of the nose hair is more of an issue if the hay is coarse and bridges up on the mesh. This makes it so that the alpacas have to drive hard into get the hay. The fine hay that alpacas like best doesn’t bridge and the alpacas don’t have to push into the mesh to get at it.
Here are some tips to reduce the risk of hair loss from the hay saver feeders.

Vicuna Alpaca Research Sanctuary (V.A.R.S)
Pacuna.com (Tm)