Hay Feeder

Image Description

Almost any 12-18 inch tall by 4-8 foot long box would work for use as a hay feeder. The most important thing about selecting your hay feeder is that it should keep the hay off the ground, but low enough that even the smaller alpacas have access to the hay. Feeders mounted high on the wall are not as desirable as a lot of the chafe from the hay ends up on the backs of any alpaca sitting below the feeder. Not to mention, the smaller alpacas are not as able to compete with the other for access.

We use this10ft Bunk feeder from Tractor Supply. It is light enough to move around according to our needs. And its long length allows ample room for a number of alpacas to feed at the same time. To diminish the amount of hay wasted as the alpacas pull at the hay, we build inserts made from lattice mounted onto wooden frames that sit right on top of the hay. As the alpacas eat the hay, the inserts simply lower as the hay level does.

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