Square Bale Hay Feeder

Square Bale Hay Feeder HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Bale Handling (5) 19-2-25 "My new square bale hay feeder for hogs limits feed waste and doesn't take up much room. Works great for hogs of all ages," says John Murphy, Lena, Wis. Made from galvanized steel, the hay feeder is equipped with a 4-ft. long, 20-in. wide, 16-in. high bale chamber mounted on two steel legs anchored to a base made from 2 1/2-in. angle iron. The chamber is tipped up at a 45 degree angle, with the top end open. The bottom end is covered by a bolt-on grille. After putting a bale in the feeder, you cut the twine at the end of the bale and remove it. When the chamber is about 3/4 empty you put in another bale in order to keep downward pressure on the first bale. "It takes the work out of feeding hay to sows and is weatherproof. I put a flanged sheet metal end cap on it whenever I use it outside," says Murphy, who has a hog finishing operation. "Hogs really like it. It's kind of comical to watch them sit on their rear end and pull hay out of the grille. There's less waste than throwing bales on the ground because hogs have to work at pulling the hay out. I think you could keep sows on pasture all winter by feeding them good alfalfa because there's no waste. Sells for $225. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John Murphy, Murphy Products, 6757 Hwy. 141 So., Lena, Wis. 54139 (ph 414 829-5129).

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