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  Discussion on Foal Feeder
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Member:
theresab

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2010 - 4:10 pm:

My 5 week old colt has taken more and more interest in eating grain and forage which I would like to encourage to make the eventual weaning process easier. He has no trouble with my slow hay feeders, probably because his little muzzle fits nicely in the grid.

Where I'm running into trouble is feeding him grain. I only have pasture turnout so feeding him separately in the barn isn't an option. He has his own feed bucket but he eats pretty slow and my other mare (Paris) pushes him off his bucket, even when he's right next to his momma. Generally, Lexy (momma and alpha) will then barge in and eat the rest of his feed before Paris gets it all but that's not getting the feed in him. I can tie Paris in the evenings most of the time but not always, and in the morning before I go to work really isn't an option. I can tie Paris and Lexy but I don't want to stuff him with feed and would rather have a more eat at his own pace option.

That brings me around to my question. I have devised a foal creep feeder utilizing my bucket but before I start drilling holes in things I wanted to look for feedback and suggestions on creating it.

I plan to use his existing 14qt "Hook & Feed" feeder and 1/2" x 12" heavy duty CPVC pipe. I'm going to measure Paris's muzzle and put the CPVC pipe bars just slightly smaller than that width. I'll drill holes just large enough to run the bars through and cap the ends of the CPVC pipe so there are no sharp ends poking out and to make them removable for washing. The CPVC is threaded on the ends so the caps will be easily removed. I also plan on placing the bars about 1/2 way down the depth of the feed bucket to make sure he doesn't have his eyes around the bars. Additionally I plan on clamping the bucket to the gate at his height. I bought hose clamps that I can tighten yet remove when needed for cleaning or removing rain water. I also bought wood clamps that I can try but Paris loves pulling the buckets off the gate so I don't think they'll be strong enough. I need it to be secure yet removable.

Any thoughts or comments? I thought about inserting a metal rod through the CPVC incase they do manage to break it so there wouldn't be any sharp fragments but I'm not sure if that would be overkill. The CPVC is about 1/8" thick but has a hollow center.

Now if I could just come up with a way to prevent Lexy from flipping over her feed pail. I've tried a tire but she just paws at it until she gets it flipped. I've considered concrete on the underside of a trough style bucket but I need to be able to maneuver it as well.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2010 - 6:24 pm:

Hello TheresaB,
There are materials used here that I really don't know if they will work, for instance you mention the horse breaking the plastic pipe. Commercial foal creep feeders that I have seen are well designed and not that expensive...
DrO
Member:
juliem

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2010 - 8:58 pm:

Do a google search on creep feeders, or foal feeders. I know Valley Vet has one, I'm sure Country Supply does too. Here's one on Amazon. Most hang over a fence and have adjustable bars so as the foal grows you can enlarge the space and still keep big horses out of it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D1J2YA/ref=asc_df_B001D1J2YA1139886?smid=A2YLYLTN75 J8LR&tag=shopzilla_mp_1227-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B001D1J2 YA
Member:
aletao

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2010 - 9:13 pm:

I never had luck with the foal feeders, but I may have given up too quickly. I found that the alpha mare(s) would stand over them, protecting them if you will, and would even try to stick out their tongues to pick up any morsels. Pretty comical, but baby was just getting chased off or bitten.

My best luck has been a "safe place" type of feeder where the foal can eat in an area away from the bigger horses. In the place where I am now, there's a hay storage area that's not in use during the creep feeding season. I put up a board to keep big horses out and allow little horses in. Within a day or two, the babies have it figured out.
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2010 - 10:15 pm:

I also have never had any luck with any type of foal feeder bucket. I had a very talented mare that, as big as she was had a scooper upper lip and could get into any feeder no matter how the bars on it were arranged, and if she didn't scoop it up with her lip, she used to bang the feeder with her knee and then scoop it with her lips.

You can make a safe place ( as Aleta says) anywhere by sinking some fence posts and making a square with just the top board, high enough for baby to get under it and low enough so the mares can't get in. Use two posts in the middle where the mares can't reach and hang your feed tub there( doesn't have to be a foal feeder). Or you can put it on the ground in a tire. You can put a rubber mat under the tub in case you are not on grass.
Rachelle
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2010 - 10:41 pm:

Things change I guess, I never crept fed my foals, they got what they could with the mare, when they were halter broke and led well, (about 2months) I would take them out give them some grain and groom them. Gave them time away from mother and to bond with me getting ready for the weaning process. I didn't think if they were getting mares's milk and good pasture grain was necessary?
Member:
theresab

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2010 - 12:57 am:

I gave it a go when I got home and I'm glad I only spent $5 in materials trying it out. The mares for the most part crowded him out. Version 1 the bars were too far apart and the mares got their noses in there. Version 2 the spacing was too small for his head to get in there. Version 3 his nose fits and not the others but he needs the mares to get bored with it before they'll let him near it. Paris figured out if she puts the bar in her mouth like a bit, she can scoop the feed up around it and then lift up with a little grain. She also bangs on it, working the feed down into small mounds so she can use her lip technique. I had to raise it up because Lexy tried to put her foot in the bucket and pull it down. Now his feeder looks a bit like swiss cheese but I'm calling them sight holes and ventilation.

I thought about trying the creep feeder area but I'm afraid Paris will figure that one out and crawl underneath it. She already picked the lock on the back gate and let everyone out into the back 6 acres. I decided then if I can open the gate with one hand, Paris will probably be able to get it open. Everything requires two thumbs at the minimum now.

I guess I'll stick with the old method of just giving him a little until I have to separate them. I'm still working on getting a halter on him. Right now I'm getting him to consistently respond to pressure...but that's a whole other post.
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2010 - 10:40 am:

Just wanted to mention a serious problem we had years ago with a commercial foal feeder. We have not used one since. An Andalusian filly got her head, including her eyes, caught between the bars. Her eyes were completely filled with sweet feed, which caused numerous corneal abrasions. She required intensive vet care, including pain killers to make her comfortable enough to even nurse. Fortunately she recovered and retained her sight. Just absolutely unbelievable situation. Goes to show you that horses can get injured on a "feather". Although the risk of this happening may be one in a million, it did happen to us and cost us a tremendous amount financially, in worry, and in pain for the filly. Just as a side note, she was a normal size filly.
Good luck with your little one!
Blessings,
Judy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 10, 2010 - 12:45 am:

When mares aggressively protect the creep feeder we have put up a board across the stall at a height the foal can get under but the mare could not.
DrO
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