GRAIN FEEDING SYSTEMS
Stacy Shetler
Feeding Methods at Penn
State:
 Figure
1 A single stall grain feeder, mounted to the stall
wall for stability, is found at the new horse barns. The locations of the stall feeders are
positioned at opposite corners of adjacent stalls to reduce aggression
between horses during feeding.
Figure 2
Another
stall grain feeder at the new horse barns remains on the floor and it is not
attached to any walls or to the floor.
This may be a problem for the horse in eating efficiently if the tub
is easily movable with chances of tipping over. In addition, the low position on the ground could increase
inhalation of settled dust, bedding, or dirt and stall waste can contaminate
feed.
Figures 3,4 Here is a group tire feeder, which is used out in
the paddocks and pastures. As shown,
there is a wooden bottom secured between the two tires to hold the grain as
an easy reach for the horses. A
concern with the tires is that the horses may ingest the tire strings that
fray from increased usage. An idea is
being tested to invert the tires in order to reduce the amount of tire
strings.
Figure 5
Grain
feeder in conjunction with a hay manger, found at the old horse barns.
Figure 6 Here is a creep feeder found in the Penn
State pastures for group
feeding unweaned foals.
Current Research at PSU
Differences in feeding
duration due to aggressive competition:
In a study done by
graduate student Susan Kress a quantitative comparison of behaviors in
different feeding systems was made. A
common problem when feeding horses in groups is the introduction of
competition, which is relevant to feed intakes and feed conversion efficiency
of growing yearlings. Her overall
goal of completing this research project is to provide equine feeding system
recommendations to the public.
Therefore, for the objectives in her study, Susan recorded data that
compared agonistic behaviors displayed during group grain feedings on three
grain feeding systems: tire feeders, individual tubs on the ground, and
manger feeders. (Kress)
Photo courtesy of Susan
Kress
Figure 7 Manger grain feeders used for group feedings found out at
pasture in a research setting. Each
grain opening is separated by a wooden divider. This allows individual feeding within a group setting. People can use similar setups by tying
buckets along a fence or by bringing horses into straight stalls.
Time spent eating during a
feeding session in 3 feeder types (2 different groups of yearlings in 2 years):
Year 1: Tire feeders:
19.7637 min
Individual
tubs: 14.9272 min
Manger
feeders: 15.3742
Year 2: Tire feeders:
18.3336 min
Individual
tubs: 11.5675 min
Manger
feeders: 15.4188 min
Tire feeders both years
had the longest eating duration. The
presumption is that longer eating is better because it appeared that the
horses were less “hurried” and had fewer antagonistic interactions. With the tire feeders a horse responding
to an antagonism by another horse could simply move around the feeder rather
than have to leave and find a new feeding location. While horses using the manger feeder would initially settle at
a feeder location, certain individuals would soon begin to show aggression
toward others and displace them away from their location. With individual tubs on the ground horses
would frequently be displaced away from their tub and feed was often spilled
on to the ground.
Technology
A new type of feeder on
the market is an automatic feeder.
There are many different models where the feeder can be made of
plastic or stainless steel. No matter
the product design, they have the same desired outcome. The automatic feeder becomes a convenience
for the horse owner because it is programmed to dispense the correct amount
of food at the correct times of day.
Having smaller amounts of food dispensed during many times throughout
the day might help decrease the incidents of digestive problems, such as
colic. The feeder ensures safety to
both the owner and the horse because it is mounted on the outside of the
stall to reduce horse and feeder contact when feeding, as well as the removal
of sharp edges on the feeder itself.
When comparing three companies, there were differences in size and
design, battery or electric powered, and price. Prices can range anywhere from $225-$385. Not only can these feeders be used for
horses, but many can be used for other pets as well, indoor or outdoor. (iFeed, Nolan Engineering, Agpro)
References:
1. iFeed www.ifeed.com
2. Nolan Engineering, Inc http://gallery.bcentral.com/Gallery/ProductListing.aspx?GID=4389951&Dept=17843
3. Agpro Feed
right day and night www.profeeder.com/index.shtml
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