OUR BARN
March 11, 2006
HOME MADE FEEDERS
[click on picture for larger view]
FANTASTIC MINERAL FEEDER
The mineral feeder is PVC sewer pipe. The completed feeder can be attached to a barn wall, a post, or a fence using plumbers strap or wire.
The goats stick their muzzle in the open end of the "Y" to get to the minerals. They would really have to work at it if they wanted to foul the minerals with urine or poop pellets.
(1) 3 or 4 inch PVC pipe 24 inches long
(1) 3 or 4 inch PVC "Y"
(2) 3 or 4 inch PVC caps.
The pipe is cemented to the "Y" with PVC cement.
The caps, both top and bottom, are not glued on - The top must be removed periodically to fill the feeder and the bottom must be removable to clean it out. To make the caps removable yet held in place you can first place the caps in position then drill a 1/8 inch hole through each cap and continue on through the pipe underneath. Then place a cotter pin in the hole. It's best to do this in an inconspicuous place (way around the side or at the back) - goats are very curious and will pull the pin out and might swallow it. This feeder can also be used for soda, or grain. It makes a great creep feeder.
MEGA GRAIN FEEDER
Our favorite grain feeder is make of 8 inch PVC water pipe. Notice most of the goats put their feet on the foot rest instead of in the feeder. We position them on an inside half wall so we can feed without going into the pen. And they are easy to clean out.
MATERIALS: 8 inch PVC water pipe
scrap 3/4 or 1 inch Plywood
3 inch deck screws & 1 or 1 1/2 inch sheetrock screws
2 X 4
CUT:
Cut the bell off. Cut the pipe in half length ways. Jim uses a chalk line and skill saw.
END PIECES: Using the inside of the pipe as a pattern, draw a half circle on a piece of 3/4 inch plywood. Cut two. One for each end.
BRACES: Using the outside of the pipe this time. Draw another half circle on a piece of 3/4 inch plywood. Cut two or three, depending on the length of the feeder..
FOOT REST: Cut a 2 X 4 the same length as the water pipe.
ASSEMBLY:
END PIECES Put the wood inside the end of the pipe.
Pre-drill screw holes in pipe. Insert 3 small screws through the pipe into the edge of the wood. Repeat on the other end.
BRACES: Make an L shape by attaching the brace to a 6" - 2 X 4. Keeping the
brace high enough to cradle the pipe, and yet letting the pipe touch the wall. Attach the braces to the wall
using. long screws. Screwing into studs is preferable. Now lay the pipe into position
pre-drill and place small screws through the inside of the pipe and into the braces.
Now pre-drill holes and put screws thru the back of the pipe and into the wall.
FOOT REST: Attach the 2 X 4, 22 inches below the top of the feeder
(depending on the size of your goats)
with 3 inch deck screws.
You can adjust the height of the feeder for the size of the goats. Just above their backs is a good height.
Fill it with feed and ring the dinner bell and the goats will line up to eat. Seriously!!! We ring a cow bell and the herd comes running. It is a riot to watch. Ears flopping and udders swinging.