Big Bale Feeder
Great way to feed round and square bales while reducing wasted hay. It pays for itself in 1 year!
Note: We are now selling Big Bale panels, hinges and snap clips individually. This way you can design according to your situation or need.
How many panels, hinges and clips you will need? See "Customization" below.
Instructions/Diagrams:
Big Bale Feeder Instructions 
Common Uses
Customization
Specs
- 48" tall x 40" long
- 4 - 8" x 12" eating holes
- 3/8" dia support rods (outer rods & 4 vertical internal rods)
- 1/4" dia rods (other rods)
- Hot-dip galvanized
Benefits
- 4 head-holes per panel.
- Folds flat—easy to store and move.
- Adult sheep can’t get inside it.
- Average of 40 ewes per 6 panel feeder is advised. (Too many ewes will cause fighting for access.) 1200 lb hay bale should last about 5 days.
- More durable than feeders made with farm-store wire panels.
- Adapts to most round or square bale sizes.
- Not for use with cattle, horses or horned animals.
- Ships to you by UPS™/Spee-Dee™.
- Most need 5–7 panels.
Cost
Big Bale Feeder— 10% wastage, $231 wasted hay.
Other Feeders— 25% wastage, $577 wasted hay.
So, the $346 difference pays for a Premier feeder—in only 1 year!
Installation
See downloadable instructions above.
Precautions
- Don’t use them for cattle or horses. Horned sheep or goats won’t damage the feeder but they may get their heads caught.
- Don’t lift the feeder with the tractor loader. This puts unnecessary stress on the welds.
- Don’t let panels freeze to the ground.
- Don’t feed more than 40-50 ewes per feeder. Too many ewes per feeder may cause them to fight for access—which can result in poor-doing (or even dead) sheep.
Listed below are recommended optional components or related items. Your particular situation may require alternative recommendations. Please call and talk to our consultants if there are any questions at 800-282-6631.
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Wire Panels and Accessories
Wire Panel Hinge, 48" tall
Item #965401 -Provides a strong, reliable connection that is also a 360º hinge. Surprisingly easy and fast to use.
$4.50 -
Handling Equipment
Snap Clip, Zinc Plated
Item #965405 -Use to connect wire panels and hang poultry waterers and feeders.
$2.70 -
Handling Equipment
Snap Clip, Stainless Steel
Item #965406 -Use to connect wire panels and hang poultry waterers and feeders.
$7.60
Write a Review
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D&B T from Michigan
I love it and the sheep love it! Plan on ordering another one.
Melissa S from Montana
Just set this up and with 30+ wind gusts today I can already appreciate how much easier it will make feeding round bales this winter. The panels are a lot heavier than I thought they would be- a plus. Delivery was super fast. Wish I’d started out with this feeder four years ago.
Jeff G from Missouri
Do not use with goats that can get inside the feeder. We have had this feeder for 2 seasons now and it works fine with our adult goats, but we have had 2 broken legs and another 2 dead goats. Kids as young as 2 weeks can easily crawl into the feeder and if they try to jump up and over the side their hind legs can easily get caught in the panels. It is very disheartening to walk out and find dead goats hanging from the side of the hay feeder.
If young lambs and goat kids are climbing into the feeders, block off the lower access points. (This may restrict sheep and polled goat access.) To satisfy goats climbing desire, provide alternative climb friendly devices (such as spools).
David M from New York
The hay panels are very rugged and work very well. Well worth the price.
Gary J from Kansas
This is a very poorly constructed big bale feeder. This is my third review on this specific product, and as impressed as I thought I was at first, I am totally disappointed now. I've had big bale feeders that are blue, red, and three Premier galvanized feeders. The Premier feeders don't hold up, welds break, rods bend, sheep get into bale. Premier sells some good ear tags and that's good because you'll be needing ear tags replaced also with this feeder. We don't have large sheep, but this is the weakest, most poorly constructed feeder I've purchased. So, I've just purchased two new red feeders to replace these Premier feeders. My first "red" big bale feeder is now nearly six years old and used every single day, and not a single problem, broken weld, or bent rod. Premier claims that it pays for itself in one year and it's a good thing. .... because by year two you're either buying replacement panels or paying someone to weld them. Absolute junk. If you want a feeder to last, don't waste your hard earned money on these Premier feeders!!!!! Just saying. You get what you pay for. Buy quality!
