Does anyone know where I can get a...? - winter feeder with a roof/cover

carole · Post by **carole** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 1:58 pm

Hi during a short trip (booze cruise) to France recently we noticed that most of the feeders (mangers, square and big bale cradles etc) we saw in the fields had roofs on them, seemed a good idea as it will obviously help keep the hay drier as only outwintering our older boys. Can't seem to find a supplier here....please don't suggest a trip back France the last one cost a small fortune :laugh:

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:25 pm

I know one for sheep that might do for Dexters? Pass!

It's from IAE (www.iea.co.uk)

F035 2004 01 SHEEP FEED CRADLE GALV 1640mm x 1530mm (5’5” x 5’0”) x 1100mm high Sectional frame on skids c/w end gate, 40 x 40mm RHS frame 25 x 25mm RHS cradle 25mm dia tubular verticals RRP: £233.07

They do a corrugated semi-circular roof for it which is separate and about £100.

Or make something?

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 7:14 pm

The thing I've been trying to find for years is a heated water trough to put in the barns. I'm sure I heard they were available in America or Canada but I've failed to find them here and although I've tried to think of a way of safely heating it I've failed on that too.

carole · Post by **carole** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:37 pm

Thanks Clive didn't think to look at sheep feeders on that site looks just the job cheers

Rutherford · Post by **Rutherford** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:21 pm

Sylvia, I was intrigued enough to obtain a catalogue from the States for heated water troughs, a while ago. I don’t know why there do not appear to be any over here, it seems such a useful idea. I have spent many hours trying to thaw them out.

Beryl (Woodmagic)

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:01 pm

In Canada there are heated water troughs for every member of the animal family! Dogs to dairy cows. Can you imagine trying to keep a water trough ice free in 40 below weather? For a look at a really fancy one check out www.canarm.com . For the larger and more humble water trough, there are floating heaters which consist of a heated metal ring attached to a plastic disk to float it and is plugged in. We used it to keep an ice free area in our fish pond. Of course Canadian made electrical devises won't work with UK current (we are 120V) . I didn't think it got cold enough in the UK to need heated water troughs :laugh: However, I did very much envy your fabulous sheep feeders (I mean, covered, who'd a thought it? must rain in the UK :laugh: ) I made a covered manger for the sheep by building a rustic wooden one and throwing a piece of corrugated roofing metal over it . The rocks on top usually keep it on.......

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 9:24 am

I was thinking of something which kept the trough water at a warmish temperature all the time rather than just keeping it ice-free. The alpacas and goats so love warm water to drink. The Dexters would too I am certain but we can't keep filling buckets up for them.

groubearfarm · Post by **groubearfarm** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:13 pm

Hi Carol,
I peg a piece of plastic sheeting to the tope of my round bale feeders with the large metal pegs which are used on market stalls. I will often put a post through the middle to act like a ridge tent. It is a useful and inexpensive way of keeping the hay dry.

Fiona Miles

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:26 pm

Fish tank heaters to keep water from freezing? Where there's power. Wonder if you could run off a solar panel? I don't do electrics so no idea.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:25 pm

If you go to www.pedersonheating.co.uk they do an electrical heated tape that you can wrap around water pipes and valves to avoid freezing, you may be able to adapt it for troughs, I don't know.

Martin, Medway Valley Dexters.

Rutherford · Post by **Rutherford** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:08 am

I contacted an American firm; they have branches all over Europe but not in this country. However they say their Holland branch would be prepared to quote, if you let them know what you are looking for, it might be worth a try.
ipmiraco@euroagnz.com is the American address.

Beryl (Woodmagic)

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:34 am

I did see a solar-powered water tank heater in one of the American farm magazines. I wonder, though, if there is enough sunlight in the UK in the winter.

AlisonKirk · Post by **AlisonKirk** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:24 am

Carole - Hopefully, you have found something suitable for your hay now, but if not Stow Agricultural Supplies, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire (tel: 01451 830481) can supply these feeders. I don't think they have them in stock, but may be able to order from their supplier for delivery to you in Cornwall? Perhaps they would be able to give you details of their supplier?

The one I saw this morning in a field looked like a much bigger version of a sheep hay rack. It was being used for elderly hunters - the lid was tipped right back, so that the horses could feed from the top. It would have been suitable for Dexters for use with lid on.

Alison Kirk
Boram Dexters

carole · Post by **carole** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:40 am

Thanks Alison I will give them a ring, we are only planning to outwinter a few and a covered feeder just struck me as a good idea to avoid too much wastage.

Anna · Post by **Anna** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:01 pm

Sylvia, I hope you have found a suitable solution nearby..

At www.thermobar.se/ (information in English is available) you can see a Swedish vinter water bar. Some day, when I have a little pile of money laying around, I think I will buy one of these.