How to choose the right feeder for your animals?

There is a lot of reward in raising farm animals, but it"s not always a walk in the...field. For anyone with experience raising livestock, you"ll know it presents its challenges. Feeding time can be one of those challenges, especially with younger animals. It"s imperative that baby and juvenile animals are getting adequate food and nutrition during the first year of their life, otherwise their overall health and growth may be negatively affected or stunted long term.

It"s likely that at some point in every farmer's journey, they will need to implement some sort of feeding aid to ensure their stock has access to the food and drink they require. It"s so important to choose the right product to suit your requirements, otherwise you risk wasting a lot of food, which can be costly and ineffective for the animal.
A couple of things to consider before purchasing feeding aids or drinkers for your livestock:

The animal

Take into consideration the age, type and size of the animals the feeder or drinker is needed for. It"s important the product you invest in is intended specifically for the animals requiring it. Feeders and drinkers are not always generic, so one type will not necessarily be suitable for cattle and sheep for example.

The material

When choosing feed bins or drinkers for equine or other farm stock, it"s important to consider the material it is made from. Traditional metal feeders have a tendency to rust, and can develop sharp edges which can potentially injure your stock. At Orion, all our feeders and drinks are made from industrial, food-grade polyethylene with an extra UV package, making them safe and durable for many years to come.

The feed

Make sure the feeder or drinker you choose is fit for the intended purpose, whether it be feeding grain, milk, water, hay or something else. Depending on the feed type, you may need a trough, drum, bucket, mobile feeder or other. Our friendly team can talk you through the best product option to suit your needs.

Be sure to take these steps into consideration when shopping for a feeder or drinker for your livestock. Ensuring you purchase the right product for your needs will save you time, hassle and money in the long run. To learn more about the agricultural products we stock at Orion, visit this link, or call one of our friendly team members today on 1800 752 784.