Hay Feeders Save Money and Pay for Themselves Quickly
It’s another hot and dry summer and the cost of feeding your livestock is only going up as hay gets more difficult to come by. Shipping hay long distances from the few growing areas left in the country to the animals that need it has become all too common.
To make the best of this terrible hay growing season and to save as much money as you can while still providing for your animals, it’s important to provide the most efficient means of feeding and minimize the amount of waste produced. This calls for a no-nonsense hay feeder from Barn World.
There are many different feeder styles that allow for any budget and will produce savings that will allow the feeder to pay for itself in a short amount of time. Whether you feed small square bales to a few animals, or large round bales to a lot, the proper feeder is critical to saving money. A quality feeder will allow you to minimize money lost to hay waste that falls on the ground and erodes your profits, while providing a safe environment to maximize your feeding budget.
For large animals that are fed large quantities at a time, you can’t go wrong with a round bale feeder. These large and durable feeders are designed to feed almost any large animal from cattle to buffalo. We carry a Bull Tuff Round Bale Feeder that has a 9’ 6” bottom diameter that tapers to 8’6” at the top. It will accommodate the 6’ round bale, has 12 feed openings and 9 heavy duty mud skids to keep the feeder entirely off the ground. There are no sharp edges for animals to cut themselves and the 3 piece bolted assembly is built for years of heavy duty use. This is a very common and popular feeder for large bulls and horses.
Another large animal feeder that’s new and very popular is the hay hopper design. This feeder holds the bale off of the ground and livestock will eat from the bottom up. The loose hay will drop to the bottom of the feeder where it is protected from being trampled by a metal skirt. This preserves the hay to be eating directly under the suspended bale. The hay hopper feeders are made for cattle, buffalo, horses, goats and sheep and has a patent pending design.
For a quick and simple method of feeding your horses’ large bales, look no further then the Hay Hut Hay Feeder. At 84” deep and 72” wide, and a height of 84”, this plastic feeder will not rust out and is extremely easy to use. Simply drop your bale on the ground and cover with the hay hut. It’s an attractive feeder that looks like a small house or hut and has eight feeding stations available for easy access to the hay bale. It also provides a covered shelter to protect the bale from the weather and the sun. This feeder ships in two easy to assemble sections and will fit in the back of a pickup truck. It takes approximately half an hour to put together and is easy to move around your pasture should you choose.
The plastic is a durable and UV protected material that provides fantastic, maintenance free cover for your bales. There is a one year warranty and most feeders last for 10 or more years with steady use. They’re also available in two colors: black and forest green.
Popular Poly Horse Hay Feeder
One of the most popular horse hay feeders is the Poly Round Hose Hay Feeder. It’s designed especially for horses and all of the hardware is counter-sunk into the feeder so there aren’t any sharp edges for potential cuts or scrapes. This feeder is mad e from four pieces to form the circle and is also idea for small ponies and colts. It’s easy to assemble and move to where you’d like to feed. Simply drop your round bale either on the ground or on a pallet, roll the feeder next to it and drop it over the bale. At only 80lbs, this one is extremely portable and can be rolled to your bale. Made from recycled plastic, it’s environmentally friendly and is composed of UV resistant resin. With a two year warranty on material and workmanship, this feed will last for many seasons.
Rack and Trough Feeders allow for both hay bales and grain to be feed from the same feeder. Another plus is the ability of the trough below the rack to catch hay that falls when animals pull from the bale. This allows the hay to be eaten from the trough, rather than wasted on the ground and eating into your profits.
Our combo feeders come in a variety of sizes, each designed for the animal being fed. They are primarily built to accommodate cattle or horses and the versatility of the feeder allows for animals that require both grain and hay in their diet. A very convenient feature.
Although used in the stall with smaller amounts of hay, a lot of potential food can still be wasted. The portable hay feeders are useful when traveling or in the stall. Typically mounted on the wall or in a corner, they can provide an easy means of dumping in flakes for your animal to enjoy at any time. The Health-EZ Hay Feeder even does double duty as ‘entertainment’ and can keep some horses minds occupied and out of trouble while they nudge a hanging feeder around the stall. It doesn’t matter what type of animals you’re raising or enjoying, a hay feeder is one of the easiest ways to introduce an efficient means of saving money and will pay for themselves in short order.
Visit Barn World today to view all of our livestock supplies and if there’s anything we can help with, please let us know by calling (720) 238-2190.
Although they may be the most efficient means of keeping livestock in without a gate, we don’t recommend them for all animals.
When Gates are the Best Option
Horses may be most at risk when attempting to cross a guard. The anatomy of a horse’s leg is such that it may slip down between the pipes forming the top of the guard and into the vault area underneath. This will expose the weakest part of their legs to breakage, and once panicked, they can break it quite easily while struggling to get out. For their safety, we only recommend the use of gates with horses.
Goats and dogs are immune to cattle guards. These sure-footed animals can simply walk with ease across the top of the pipes. Again, gates are the best option for containment.
Deer Guards
Deer are extremely athletic creatures. Their ability to jump seems almost effortless as they cross large distances in graceful hops. It becomes necessary to extend the distance of the guard in the direction of travel to deter these animals from attempting to cross. A common whitetail or mule deer can easily jump an 8-foot distance without any effort at all. These animals require a better deterrent than a cow and by combining and bolting together two guards, the effective crossing area becomes too daunting even for these creatures. We recommend at least 16 feet in the direction of the vehicle travel to dissuade even the most ambitious jumpers.
When considering barriers for deer, it is important to remember that not only can they jump across large distances, but they can also jump over tall fence lines. This will require that the fence line be extended directly to the edge of the cattle guard. With bovine, a set of wings prevent crossings on the shoulders of the roadway, but with deer, a tall fence right to the shoulder will be required. You want to prevent jumping across the ends of the fencing.
Cattle Guards are for Bovine
The best use for these barriers is of course with cattle. The traditional round pipe guard has been found to be more effective than the flat top. Flat top finishes allow for smoother vehicle crossings, but the best for livestock have rounded tops.
Part of the effectiveness is a visual trick played on the cattle’s depth perception. The shadows created by the round pipe make the crossing look even more daunting than it actually is. This in turn creates an even larger mental barrier and dissuades most livestock from even considering a crossing. There are the occasional large bulls that when properly motivated can attempt a 6-foot or sometimes even an 8-foot jump, but these are few and far between. When properly installed with wings, almost all cattle will refrain from even attempting a crossing.
Although designed almost exclusively for cattle, these barriers may also be used for deer, when properly installed.
New this year is the ATV guard. Designed for ease of installation, this portable, standalone barrier is a great option for fence line crossings for off-road vehicles in remote areas. We have even custom designed these for golf cart crossings of fence lines. Simply make a cut in your fence and drop it into place. It couldn’t be easier to install and the built-in rise creates an extremely effective optical and physical barrier.
Barn World offers plenty of assistance
If you have any questions about your cattle guard project or need any help at all, please don’t hesitate to contact Barn World when planning your installation. We have a wide variety and can offer quotes and bids for any project.
Turn your bucket into a bucket fork, a bale spear or a debris fork. It’s a quick and simple process to maximize the functionality of your tractor or bobcat bucket. These simple and highly capable implements open up a whole new world for the equipment you already own.
Installation
To make the most of your bucket, simply attache the forks to move pallets or pretty much anything around your property. There’s no need to take off your bucket, the bale spear, pallet forks and debris forks all quickly attach with the unique c-clamp design. Simple screw the bale spear, bucket forks or debris forks on and you’re ready to go. There are no chains or binders needed.
All of the forks come with a limited lifetime warranty and the exclusive c-clamp pad ensures your bucket won’t get damage while using the forks or hay spears. All of the bucket forks are powder coated, not simply painted, for the strongest finish available.
Types
The light duty bucket forks have a 1,200 lbs lifting capacity for the pair and weigh only 86 lbs. They are 54 inches long and 3-1/4 inches wide. With a 2″ height and 40″ length, they are very versatile and great for compact and sub-compact tractors or up to 25 hp loaders. Great for moving logs, pallets, railroad ties etc.
Medium duty bucket forks have a 2,400 lbs capacity for lifting and a working length of 43″. Weighing only 126 lbs, these 58 inch, 4 inch wide forks have a fork height of only two inches. They best fit for loaders and tractors in the 35 to 55 horse power range. It’s also handy to slip a 2 x 4 in as a back stop for picking up pallets etc.
Heavy duty bucket forks can lift up to 5,000 lbs! The working length of these pallet forks is 53 inches and they weigh 190 lbs. The overall length is 72 inches with a 4 inch width and are the best fit for loaders, skid steers and tractors up to 55 hp and more. The functionality of the forks also benefit from a 2 x 4 slipped in to use as a backstop.
How to install the clamp on bucket attachments
Always check your loader to make sure it is in good working order.
Unscrew handle(s) or bolt(s) to allow enough space to slide over your bucket.
Slide the clamp-on attachment over the bucket to the proper location.
Make sure you slide the attachment all the way back. The 1″ rod bar on the attachment should be flush with your bucket front edge.
Tighten handle(s) or bolt(s) until the attachment is securely attached to your bucket.
Bucket Attachment Video
Here’s a great demonstration video on the special C-clamp that prevents damage to the bucket and how useful your bucket can become with the various attachments offered:
For all of your livestock equipment needs, from cattle guards, saddle pads, hay feeders and more, please visit www.BarnWorld.com today, or call (720) 238-2190.
Barn World offers several types of cattle guards for private, commercial, public highway, and heavy-duty off-road equipment use. We comply with city, county, and/or state regulations.
Whether it’s called a Texas gate or a cattle guard, Barn World has the variety and selection needed to complete your project.
Private Use Cattle Guards
Private use cattle guards are perfect for farm and ranch use and for access areas where the total axle weight is up to 10 tons. Semi-trailers, tractors, and large farming equipment are perfect for this type of guard. The flat-style cattle guards are designed to be mounted on cement footings.
Boxed-style cattle guards are designed to sit on flat ground. A gravel bed below is recommended for the drainage of these cattle guards. In many cases, these boxed cattle guards are used for wheel washes on construction sites.
Load Capacities
All of our cattle guards are built for the weight of full tractor-trailer loads. They are constructed with an approximate gap of 4″ between each pipe, but due to the availability of pipe, they will be built with either 9 pieces of 4 1/2″ outside diameter pipe, or 11 pieces of 3 1/2″ outside diameter pipe and are 12-1/2″ tall. There is no difference in strength between the boxed cattle guard and the flat styles of cattle guards.
These cattle guards are designed to accommodate full semi loads at 12 tons per axle.
Cattle guards weigh about 100 Lbs. per foot (a 10′ cattle guard weighs about 1,000 Lbs.). Add approximately 8 Lbs. per foot for boxed cattle guards and about another 200 Lbs. total for winged cattle guards.
Using with Deer
To use for deer, you may need to place two cattle guards in tandem so you have 16 feet of protection. They are easily bolted together and the extra depth will deter most athletic jumpers
. For a shipping quote, please send us an email with your destination zip code and quantity or feel free to call the telephone number at the bottom of this page with any questions you may have about our cattle guards.
If you prefer, you may order your cattle guards online without the shipping total and we will forward the exact shipping cost for your review via email before processing your order.
Two very important notes:
You must have equipment available to unload the cattle guards from the delivery vehicle when it arrives. The delivery truck will require you to unload the cattle guard with a loader or forklift or some other means upon delivery.
Private use cattle guards are NOT built to exact dimensions and sizes may vary slightly. Adding the removable box option will add about 7″ to the total length and width of the cattle guard. For example, a 12-foot cattle guard will be about 12′-7″.
For more information on cattle guards, installation, or for help with any of your livestock supply needs, please visit www.BarnWorld.com today or call (720) 238-2190 and we’ll be happy to help.
Remember, Barn World is your home for everything to do with livestock, from saddle pads, hay feeders, grain bins and mineral feeders
As the entire country is affected by the drought, the cost of feeding your livestock continues to rise. It’s now more important then ever to minimize waste from feeding.
Barn World carries a large selection of hay feeders to minimize waste and provide increase profits. The Hay Hut hay feeder is a great horse hay feeder that is so easy to use and simple in design that feeding round bales to your animals is a cinch.
In addition to the actual hay/cost savings, the use of large bale hay significantly reduces Labor costs and this design helps minimize pasture stress in overstock situations and during poor forage growing conditions.
They also help stop ‘big bale bickering’ and can bring a strong air of calmness as if the horses all know that they have a constant source of protected hay.
The unit ships in two halves with simple build instructions and takes approximately 30 minutes to bolt together. They are very easy to move, manage, load and maintain
This feeder is a robust, durable, and UV stabilized covered hay feeder made of polyethylene and hence it cannot rust and does not require any maintenance unlike the majority of metal feeders.
The feeder measures a full 84 inches in depth so that it can accommodate the largest of round rolls now being produced in the USA and up to twenty conventional square bales! There’s also enough room for the majority of big square bales.
This large size and depth allows it to be easily pushed back over very large bales, even if they have been placed on a pallet, without catching the top lip of the feeder on the bale itself.
The 84 inches height allows for plenty of headroom for the use of a pallet while still allowing for good airflow and cooling over the top of the bale.
When un-assembled, it will fit in the back of pickup. The overall width of 72 inches allows up to three units (in six halves) to be transported easily in a standard bed pick-up truck (see photo). This configuration also helps reduce shipping costs.
A half unit can be mounted against a wall or hard structure for use with conventional square bales. It can also be mounted against a fence with a locally purchased plywood back attached for weather protection
The half unit measures 42″ x 72″ x 84″ and has four feeding windows.
It comes with simple build instructions and takes approximately 30 minutes to bolt together. They are very easy to move, manage, load and maintain and we have many testimonials to that effect. Supplied with all assembly hardware and a lifting eye for relocation purposes, it can be relocated by carrying or by simply carrying. Just see our video to see how easy it is to move.
Similar units of identical material from the same manufacturer that has been outdoors for 6 years in Missouri and are warrantied for an entire year. The feeder should provide at least 10 years of good service which is an outstanding return on investment.They are designed and manufactured to accommodate all sizes of round rolls up to 1600 lbs. We have incorporated bigger windows for larger horses and anchor points for windy conditions.
Here’s a great demonstration video:
Customer Testimonials
Below are just some of the happy customers: Please contact us for more information or if you wish to provide a testimonial about how these covered hay feeders work for you.
Gottado Ranch, Ocala – April 2011 We purchased 2 Hay Huts at an equine event in Ocala, FL. They are easy to set up and use. As soon as we had them in the field the horses came over to check it out. They were eating out of it before we left. We had a really bad rainstorm about 3 days after we started using our Hay Huts. I went out after the storm to check the hay inside the huts. The hay was bone dry! The wind did not even blow rain in the windows. The horses love it and none of them fight. There is no manure or urine in the hay because the Hay Hut prevents this. This results in almost all of the hay in the Hay Hut is being used as food rather than bedding. Thank you Hay Hut for a great product that saves time and money. We plan on purchasing another Hay Hut before next winter.
January 2011 Thank you so much for your courtesy and help as I decided whether or not to buy your Hayhuts product, for Potomac Glen Riding School . Since we have four paddocks at Potomac Glen, each containing 5 to 7 horses, we needed at least four Hayhuts, and I was initially very concerned about what I thought might be an expensive investment.
I am very pleased to report that the four Hayhuts I purchased have exceeded my wildest hopes of better hay usage & economy. Without a doubt, the Hayhuts have halved my round bale usage in just the last few months, thereby cutting my hay costs substantially. The Hayhuts have eliminated hay waste by keeping the horses from sleeping & defecating on the round bale hay. They also keep the ice, snow and rain off the round bales so I no longer lose a lot of hay. The Hayhuts have also eliminated the typical wasted mound of unusable hay, and the horses eat all of the round bale hay and leave only dust. My quality if life has improved because, in addition to saving on my round bale hay costs, I have also cut my work load substantially by feeding the bales to my horses only once a week, instead of two times a week, and the paddock clean up is virtually non-existent! Thank you again for your Hayhuts. When finances permit, I will be adding two more Hayhuts to the riding school. I will be happy to talk to anyone who is interested in Hayhuts. They can contact me at (301) 601-0622, and I will be happy to tell them about my experiences and to heartily recommend Hayhuts! Susan Hansen Potomac Glen Riding School
January 2011 Eliminates almost all waste! Just a note to tell you I don’t think you were totally truthful with me when we talked about the hay hut: you said I could probably reduce hay waste by about 30%… well I have now fed two round bales out of the hut and am COMPLETELY CONVINCED waste is almost totally non existent! I watch the horses eat every day at some time or other and it seems when they do drag a mouthful out of the hut and drop it, that before they stick their heads back in they almost always pick up what they have dropped and eat it first. If there is a mouthful laying on the ground when they first walk up to the hut they usually pick it up and eat it first! They have developed really good “table” manners. I would bet out of the two bales fed so far, not even three (YES 3!) pounds of hay has been wasted and when it has snowed it was totally protected. The price initially, did seem high but with the price of hay it will pay for itself in very short order, well worth the investment for sure! Thanks for delivering and helping me get started assembling it and Thanks for a GREAT product!
AUGUST 21st 2010 Working out well! The horses love it. Little to no waste on the hay. The hay stays dry, and no fussing. We did learn to set the hay on end instead of the side, as on the side they were able to peal layers off and out. Not so when it’s sitting on end. Carole (Missouri)
MAY 1st 2010 I just wanted to tell you that I put up 2 huts in my fields for my 5 horses and the 2 round bales lasted 3 weeks! I was feeding 4 bales of hay/day and at $4-$5/bale/day, that was about $16-$20/day. With the Hayhuts I am only spending about $4/day! I love them! Thanks, Kelly Melberg Winlock, Wa
A letter from Pennsylvania
We wanted to drop you a note and let you know how satisfied we are with your product. We purchased three units from you in July ’09. The units were assembled and put in the pastures once we received them. We started feeding hay on and off from October until December. Starting in December we began feeding full-time from the feeders.
Our hay usage has shown a dramatic decrease. We do not see the large hay/manure piles that we routinely had using conventional round bale feeders. By this time each winter I am usually looking for sources of hay; our barn still has enough to last us for another two months. We have the largest number of horses that we ever have had on the farm, we have used less hay than we used to with fewer animals. We have fed small square bales, large round bales and large square bales in the feeders: they handle all of these varieties without any problems at all.
We are feeding animals in a variety of sizes and breeds. They all readily use the feeders without any problems. We are feeding our foals, yearlings, broodmares, miniature donkeys and a large Thoroughbred and Irish Sport horse on these feeders. We have three pastures running at the present time, one feeder has five horses on it, one has ten broodmares and the other has six geldings and two donkeys.
Assembly of the units was easy and took only around 20 minutes per hut. The green color blends in well with our fields and makes the huts easy to find in snow drifts, lol. Ordering and delivery were easy and I believe we will easily recover the cost of the units by the end of this year or the beginning of next. The amount of hay saved and a decrease in wasted hay/manure mixed is unbelievable.
We would highly recommend your product to anyone feeding horses round bales of hay or even small bales. The quality of the huts, the cost, the performance and your customer service have made purchasing and using these units a pleasure.
Thank you, The Hillards Pat and Kathy Hillard
City of Houston Mounted Patrol They are everything they say they are and more. We’ve had 4 for over 5 months now and have already recognized a savings with less waste. All 38 Police Horses love the them as there is always fresh clean hay available to them when they are turned out. There is no fighting over the hay and no injuries. We have all sizes and breeds of horses at the Houston Mounted Patrol and all of them love them. They prove the simplest designs are usually the best. Our horses thank you for making such a great product!” – Sgt. Leslie Wills, Houston Mounted Patrol
Road to the Horse Chris Cox uses these feeders to save and preserve the hay. They keep the hay weather protected and are horse friendly.” – Chris Cox
Nebraska Blizzard Hay Feeders for Horses Hi Denis, Just thought I’d let you know the Hayhuts made it through their first Nebraska blizzard just fine! I thought I may find them either full of snow or blown across my feeding area, but, neither was the case. They stayed in place, no snow was inside and the horses had plenty to eat all through the storm! – Mary Anne G. – Nebraska From using one round bale every 3-3 1/2 days to every 5-5 1/2 days I have been using the feeders for not quite a year now. I was about done with round bales before I found these. The horses would waste so much. We had one paddock where we were feeding 1 round bale every 3 to 3 1/2 days. When we started using them, it went to 5, 5 1/2 days sometimes even 6 days. I am now using 1/2 a feeder (one section) in a shed and another on the fence line. We throw small square bales or flakes of hay. There is no waste doing that. When you feed alfalfa to the babies they do not stand on it any more. They love their hay hut. If you ever use one you will not let it go. What a great invention. – Karen Bruce, Irish Oaks Farm
The mini can eat there too “Well it’s been a week and I LOVE it. Loads of rain and all the hay dry. The mini can eat there too, if I put hay high or just put bale under opening. Another satisfied customer. Thanks!” – Vicki – Florida
Be sure to feed smart this summer and receive the economical benefits and ease of use the Horse Hut Hay Feeder offers.
Also visit Barn World today for all of your livestock supplies needs. We also carry a large selection of cattle guards, hay feeders, grain bins and even 5 Star saddle pads.
Stock Tanks and Livestock Waterers – Weathering the Drought
This summer has already seen the worst drought conditions since 1988. More than 1,000 counties in 26 states are classified as natural disaster areas. Since July 10th, 60 per cent of the lower 48 states were in drought conditions. This includes states from South Carolina to Nevada and is the most land affected since the US Drought Monitor began keeping records 12 years ago.
These conditions require that your livestock, horses, hogs and other animals have a fresh supply of water constantly. The high temperatures will dehydrate and negatively affect your animals health.
Barn World carries a large selection and supply of galvanized stock tanks and livestock waterers to ensure you have healthy animals.
Hog Waterer
Our hog waterer is built to provide a constant supply of water for your animals and is made in a large 80 gallon size.
Hog Waterer Features
Made of 100% non-porous polyethylene will not rust, rot or corrode.
Confinement pen acids have no effect waterers last and last.
Quick and easy cleaning no pans or shields to remove from drinker trough.
Big hogs drink with ease from 18 inches wide x 17 inches high x 9 inch deep drinkers.
Trough height from floor is 6″, so little pigs drink easily.
No cracks, corners or crevices to collect sediment or bacteria.
Each drinker has a drain plug, so washing and flushing is fast, simple and complete.
One dependable float and valve handles both drinkers.
Heavy steel-plated chew guard protects trough lip.
Gallon capacity calibrations molded into tank wall.
Float and valve completely protected from hogs.
Manual fill
41 lbs.
We also carry waterers for livestock and horses as well.
Here’s a great little corner stall waterer for horses:
Easy valve access; one-screw, quick water level adjustment.
Minimum intrusion on stall space.
Four-bolt installation.
Plumb from above or below.
Ample drinking space; plentiful water supply with minimal waste.
Large easy drain; no disassembly required.
Attractive design; five color options.
Stainless steel anchor bolts included.
Poly Stock Tanks
Barn World also carries poly stock tanks, great for livestock, hogs and even kids swimming pools! These tanks come in as large 9′ diameter and are great for cooling off from the summer sun.
Our weather resistant, multipurpose wading pool lasts year after year. Features:
The ultimate wading pool – perfect for summer afternoon wading, splashing, and cool relaxing fun.
Sidewall are only 24″ high, so kids (of all ages) just step in.
Tough pools made for heavy use.
6′ diameter pool holds 335 gallons of water.
Both are big pools for big family fun.
Bottomless Stock Tanks
And for the herds, we carry the bottomless stock tanks, from 2,668 gallons up to 11,486 gallons. These large livestock tanks are a great addition for keeping a large herd of animals hydrated throughout the summer.
Keep cool this summer with our large selection of livestock tanks and wading pools. Visit Barn World today or call (720) 238.2190 for all your watereing needs around your ranch!
Handling Equipment Powder River cattle guards are designed to meet the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications. The strongest models are built to handle up to 30 tons per axle. Opening and closing a gate from time to time is no sweat off any rancher’s back. It’s when the same gate has to be gone through over and over that it becomes more trouble than it’s worth. With this in mind, every rancher has a cow or two that seems to be able to smell an open gate and won’t let anyone slide by without closing the gate each and every time. To ease the aggravation and time loss with these high usage areas, ranchers are relying more and more on these simple and effective livestock barriers. Matt Johnson with Powder River Livestock Handling Equipment in Provo, UT points out, “Cattle guards are the ultimate gate replacement for high traffic areas, but placing a guard in an area that you access only occasionally or that is less critical for gate control is probably a waste of resources.” To help with the selection and installation of a cattle guard, Working Ranch went out and gathered some pointers from a few different manufacturers. This is what we found:
Picking the right one:
When making a selection there are a number of things to scratch the old noggin over. For starters, ranchers must determine what is the heaviest and the widest pieces of equipment that will ever cross their fence-line. They then have to look for the cattle guard that will meet those standards.
Quality materials and craftsmanship obviously influence the price of a cattle guard, but also determine its longevity as long as the proper load rating is not abused. “The higher the (load) rating, the higher the cost. The U-rated guards that are designed for extremely heavy loads are the most expensive. Anytime the distance across a road exceeds 16’, shipping rates can rise dramatically. In terms of cost, it sometimes makes more sense to order two small grids to bolt together in either direction than it does to order one large custom size,” says Robert Moore withBarn World, LLC in Parker, CO. Ranchers must decide if a flat or box type works better in their environment and whether they prefer square or round rails. Flat-style cattle guards are placed over a dug-out cement vault, whereas box-style design will have a built-in vault and sit close to the top of the ground.
Installation:
This varies because of different soil conditions, climates, drainage, and intended uses. Barn World suggests ranchers have a local contractor, who is familiar with the area, set the more permanent types of cattle guards. Installation for these foundation-attached grids typically involves digging a one-foot deep trench that is one foot wider than the cattle guard. Six-inch wide walls should then be poured around all four sides to prevent dirt from collapsing in. At the bottom of the trench, a 12” wide and 18” deep footer is needed under each beam of the crossing. It is critical that it sits on footers that are sufficient in strength to support a full load of crossing traffic. Ranchers must keep in mind that the vault does not offer any load-carrying support. While setting it in place, installing large PVC pipe through the forms or digging out and adding gravel will help with drainage issues. Box guards do not need a vault. Their box formation keeps dirt from working into the guard. “One of the biggest mistakes folks make is setting their (box style) grid at ground level.
Cows don’t like to jump on a grade where their front-ends are higher than their back-ends,” explains Tom Jones, with JE Hill Precast in Leesburg, FL. When placing two of these barriers next to each other, both gaps and edges must be avoided. If there is a solid edge, cattle can master walking it. Some ranchers find it beneficial to purchase or build a set of wings. “Various styles of wings can be used. They should be able to be secured to the guard grid or the base it is built on. Any type of wing should remove the risk that livestock can circumvent the guard,” notes Johnson. Jones points out another added benefit of wings, “Wings are a way of exaggerating the opening of a barrier. For example, if you have a 16’ cattle guard and a 16’ mower, you can lay the wings back and fit through.”
A peek at what these boys have to offer:
Barn World offers a few different designs including square cross rails, available in either powder-coated green or painted yellow. These rails with a flat top area allow for higher speed traffic and offer a smoother crossing for vehicles. They meet the various American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications for public roadway projects as well as heavier-duty engineer crossings designed to handle up to 30 tons per axle. They’re available in 8’, 10’, 12’ and 14’ road lengths and 7’5’’ and 8’ widths. One of the popular options is a hinged, three-rail clean-out section in the center that allows easy access for cleaning. It’s available on all of their models except the heaviest duty U-80s. Wings, steel posts, and pre-cast concrete bases are also available.
Barn World
Barn World offers rated standard, basic boxed and flat style crossings.
Their rated guards are intended for highways or for heavy off-road equipment. They are available with certified load ratings of H-15, H-20, U-54, and U-80. They also carry an HS20 rating to meet State and Federal public roadway construction requirements.
A very interesting and convenient design new to the market is their ATV guards.. The ATV cattle guardis made of 1.5 x 11 gauge square tubing and is 72” wide by 91” long. The overall width, including their wings, is 87”. A 14” ramp on each side allows them to be set on top of the ground and eliminates the need for a vault. You simply cut your fence line, set this guard on top of the ground, and reconnect the fencing the side. Boom! You’re done!
Take a look at their entire selection online and make crossing your pasture fence-line as easy as, well, just driving across!
BarnWorld.com, the online mega-store for livestock supplies like cattle guards and hay feeders, has expanded its already extensive selection to include a line of polyethylene plastic products.
The new large selection expands the wide range of farm and ranch supplies including bulk grain bins, lick feeders, mineral feeders, calf nurseries, and feeders.
The calf nursery line is designed with superior ventilation to separate calves, promote healthy lung growth, prevent disease and allow the calf to develop to its fullest potential.
“BarnWorld.com is always looking for better, animal-friendly products and suppliers to increase the selection available to customers,” said Rob Moore, owner of Barn World. “Environmentally friendly, polyethylene products are the future of livestock supplies.”
“Greater selection helps customers get exactly what they need at a fair price. We are always available by phone to help customers choose the right size bulk grain bins, hay feeders, mineral feeders, and cattle guards for the type of livestock they are working with.”
Polyethylene plastic is a great choice for livestock items. The material is impact resistant and can withstand both temperature extremes and corrosive chemicals. Polyethylene has an easy-to-clean, slippery surface and can be recycled. Products are mostly one piece with no sharp edges or seams to injure livestock. Polyethylene is also lightweight, making products easier to move and less expensive to ship.
The polyurethane bulk grain bins are particularly well-suited to high moisture materials like corn and soybeans.
Barn World, your online livestock supply and cattle guard headquarters. Call (720) 238-2190 or visit www.barnworld.com today!
Barn World, your best source for equine tack, is proud to offer the best quality saddle pads and cinches available. 5 Star saddle pads and cinches are hand made to order and offer French Contouring to ensure a proper fit for your horse or mule. The unique saddle pad design allows it to conform to your horse’s back and provide the best fit for equine performance and comfort.
We are so impressed with the 100% wool saddle pads and simplicity of design, that we believe everyone could benefit from using them.
“A lot of gimmicks can be strapped under a saddle to get one benefit or another, but man has yet to create a product that outperforms virgin wool, and over the long haul, virgin wool content felt pads will outperform any other type of pad or blanket hands down. 5 stars 100% percent wool contoured saddle pads conform immediately to your horse’s back for perfect fit. Our F-11 wool felt has the highest virgin wool content available and offers 3 times more compression protection and wicking ability than any other pad on the market. While the importance of compression protection is pretty clear given the dominance of rubber, bubble wrap and space age jelly saddle pads today, only high quality wool felt offers great compression protection while simultaneously wicking away moisture. That wicking action is the means by which heat is dissipated under the pressure of the saddle. The best compression protection, coupled with the best wicking ability, translates to the best performance from your equine partner. When you consider the amount of money one might spend on feed, tack, vet bills and entry fees to pursue your equine passion, a saddle pad with all the ingredients for maximum performance is essential. While the big ships full of cheap goods leave a toxic trail all the way from Los Angeles to China and back, 5 Star is producing the highest quality products right here in the USA.”
From Mike: “In the last 20 years the industry has come up with using every conceivable kind of thing out of the auto industry and space industry that was never intended for use in horses. Everything from gels to foams to freezer linings all of these have zero or next to nothing as far as good quality and compression protection and absolutely zero in wicking ability and the agents that are needed for wicking sweat and heat away from the horses back. Pressed industrial felt is the only thing that has really been proven over time to have the high quality wicking ability and high compression ratio for horses. 5 Star has 3 times the compression ratio of any other pad on the market and has 2 times the wicking ability of any close competitor in the felt industry as far as pads are concerned. So why is 5 Star so good? 5 Star uses the highest quality virgin wool content in their felt. Only through the use of high-quality virgin wool, can you have a high-quality compression ratios and the high wicking quality you can get. Add to that,5 Stars established French curve that will fit any horse backline that settles in to create high-quality performance. 5 Star is a pad that will last forever, kind of like an old sweater that you snag and you throw away so that you have a chance to get a new one. Nothing makes it simpler for performance and making 5 Star the best pad in your tack room.”
How to select a saddle pad:
If the saddles don’t fit they can push pads out the back.
A saddle tree may be warped if it pushes pad out the back and to the side.
If you wouldn’t wear that stuff for underpants or socks why put it on the animal!
Synthetic pads have the highest profit margin for makers.
Sweat pouring off a back is like you standing on ice with tennis shoes on a hill!
Do you like having bandages pulled off your hairy arms? So how do you think tacky material feels to an animal?
Wool felt pads are easily cleaned!
Synthetic fleeced saddle skirting is slick and will present problems with most pads.
Don’t be fooled by Patent Pending in advertising.
Synthetic foams are not UV light resistant and break down,
Synthetic foams break down from heat and salts of the animal.
Fire or strong acids are the only thing that will harm wool.
All pads will contract and spread disease when not cleaned if infection exists.
Pinch pads with thumb and fingers. If you can feel the other digit it likely has bad compression protection.
Buy for function first, then looks.
Don’t be fooled by gimmick terms and pictures.
Ask construction specifications of retailer and manufacturer.
For all of your equine tack needs, please visit BarnWorld.com today or call 720.238.2190.
A creep feeder provides a physical barrier that only allows smaller animals access. They typically have a pen with narrow vertical bars and adjustable horizontal bars protecting entry to the feeder. This allows smaller animals to enter and feed on precious and expensive minerals while keeping adults out.
They provide an essential sorting technique to ensure the young animals have access to the necessary nutrients they need without having to compete with adults. Below are some examples of feeders for different types of animals.
Types of Creep Feeders
Below are a few different creep feeder designs that all provide a safe, non-competitive eating environment away from hungry adults. Creating a stress-free eating area is key to allowing the little ones to get fed without having to push and fight their way in against larger animals.
Goat Creep, FEEDERS,
This feeder can also be used for sheep and will separate the smaller kids from the adults and protect your precious (and expensive) supplements. It is an essential component of an accelerated kidding and/or early weaning management program. It increases pre-weaning weight gains, especially for kids reared as a twin or triplet. They’ll reach a target market weight and can be marketed at a younger age. They all have a covered shelter to help keep the feeder dry and protect it from being blown around in windy areas.
Creep feeding will have your calves ready for market sooner in high-quality condition. Creep feeding also assures less strain on your brood stock. Healthy brood stock means better quality calves year after year.
Nutrition is the key to successful wildlife and game management. And nothing is more important than protein. Protein is essential to the health of your entire herd and the potential for trophy bucks. Whitetail deer need protein all year round, especially after the rut and during the critical 200-day antler-growing period. Protein feeding is the ideal complement to natural forage.
Pictures of Deer Creep Feeders
Barn World carries a large selection of creep feeders, both large and small. To see the full lineup of feeders, please visit Barn World today or call (720) 238-2190.
