Tire Feeders Hold Up To Cows, Weather

Tire Feeders Hold Up To Cows, Weather LIVESTOCK Feeding Equipment 33-1-30 Instead of buying $130 metal feeders that rust out in a year, Larry Kiehne makes feeders out of old tractor and backhoe tires and treated wood for $25. Up to 10 beef cattle can easily reach the 5 gal. of ground feed he dumps in the center of each tire feeder, says the Jackson, Mo., farmer. The feeders are sturdy, and the cows don't climb on them and wreck them as they did with metal feeders. "I work for an equipment dealer that removes tires," Kiehne says. "They're happy to get rid of them." He makes the feed tray out of 1/2-in. plywood and 2 by 4's for the base and sides. The trays are 4 by 4-ft. or 5 by 5-ft., depending on the size of the tire. He bolts the tray to the tire. Kiehne drills holes in the side of the tire that is on the ground so water doesn't collect inside. He also drills a hole through the tread part of the tire for a chain so he can pull the tire feeders around with a 4-wheeler. After experimenting with one tire feeder, Kiehne built eight more, and he says his neighbors are building them, too. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Larry Kiehne, 1213 Co. Rd. 346, Jackson, Mo. 65755 (ph 573 243-8535).

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