Hayrack Feeder

Nondescript and quite basic, these feeders work very well in my rabbitry.
I used materials that were readily available and c-h-e-a-p!!

I used 7/16" OSB for the side pieces. Dunnage lumber strips for the frame.
And Double-thick cardboard for the backs.

When I made these, I cut out enough stock for 30 feeders.
Total time per feeder, "start-to-finish" about 7 or 8 minutes.
Total cost per feeder, Less than 25 cents a piece.

It doesn't have to look good, nor fancy.
As long as it serves the purpose intended.
And these do the job quite well.

Along the bottom, I've used two 4penny-finish nails
driven partially in, then bent over.


No, you're not mistaken, that's cardboard! It's double strength.
10" wide and 7" tall. Looks 'bad'.....works 'good'. I used glue
and a 1/4" crown-staple air gun to attach it to the frame.


Here's a side profile. I bent a small "U"
on the end of a short length of baling wire
and stapled it to the side body. The body's 3" wide
at the top and 1" wide at the bottom. 7" tall.


A view of the top opening.
It doesn't hold a "large" amount of hay.
But enough for a good daily portion.
I find that the rabbits won't waste quite as much,
if I limit the time it's available for them.


The hay-feeder is attached and in use.
The small nails 'hook' onto the wire at the bottom.
The baling wire is bent over the wire at the top
and pulled slightly tight with needle-nose pliers.


Hope this helps,
thanks for looking.
Grumpy

that is awesome grumpy... thanks for sharing ..

Mary Ann's Rabbitry":1u6xow8e said:

that is awesome grumpy... thanks for sharing ..

Click to expand...

Thanks Mary Ann:

I know they aren't real "pretty". But, when I look at an item
that's needed in my operation, the first thing that runs through my
mind is.....what's it gonna cost? :x

Like I said above....I made 30 of these at the same time.
I wanted to see how they'd do and make sure they worked.

"Before" I made the other 40!! Yeah, that's the problem!!
I've always got to consider the costs versus the benefits.
There's no way I could justify buying 70 pre-fabbed hay racks.

Shucks...at five-bucks a piece...that's over $350.00 w/shipping.

These little suckers are cheap! Now, all I have to do
is wait on the grocery store to throw away some more cardboard.
Then I can go dumpster-diving again.

Grumpy.

I love that idea, Grumpy. It goes great with my two principles- keep it cheap and make it simple.

Going to show this to my hubby...I am sure he'll thank you for yet another project.

Good idea Grumpy!

Thanks Grumpy. These look like something I could make.

Thanks for sharing grumpy. How well does the baleing wire last?

Randy":3v09gisw said:

Thanks for sharing grumpy. How well does the baleing wire last?

Click to expand...

Oh...I don't know yet...
These are new and semi-permanent.
Each cage will have their own.

I'd imagine they'll last several years
with normal usage. If ya go easy with them.

grumpy.

Those are awesome! And so inexpensive. I can make them with leftovers from building my hutch. When I get groceries, I can take them home in a free thick cardboard box, and I already have the nails and wire...Reduces waste because the cardboard keeps the hay in instead of falling on the ground as they pull at it, like my wire hay racks. Thanks so much for sharing!

I was just wondering how well baling wire is compared to the wire hooks you can buy at stores. I know that soft bend wire doesn't last at all.

Thanks for posting this, it is perfect for my breeding cage stacks.

Randy":zmk4ilqe said:

I was just wondering how well baling wire is compared to the wire hooks you can buy at stores. I know that soft bend wire doesn't last at all.

Click to expand...

It's all relative, really.
Once in place...what's the need to move them?
And...if you do move them....how often?

I would imagine it will take a long time
for the wire to stress-harden from over bending.
You need only to bend the wire a miniscule amount
to clear it from the cage-wire.
Why bend it anymore than absolutely necessary?

I use baling wire in many varied applications all over my farm.
Over the course of time, if used in severe circumstances,
the wire will, without question.....fail.

Again, we need to look at the situation and consider
the fact that, once in a suitable place, they become
more or less a permanent fixture of the cage itself.


Your biggest concern should be absentmindedly laying
it down on the top of the cage with the cardboard
side nearest the rabbits.

I guarantee you.....they'll do a number on it in short order.
They'll quickly reduce a double-thickness to a "single-thickness"
pretty darned quick.

I've already got one of those... :x :x

Grumpy.<br /><br />__________ Tue Sep 17, 2013 2:29 pm __________<br /><br />

Marinea":zmk4ilqe said:

I love that idea, Grumpy. It goes great with my two principles- keep it cheap and make it simple.

Going to show this to my hubby...I am sure he'll thank you for yet another project.

Click to expand...

If I'm ever lucky enough to meet your hubby in person,
I'm gonna.....DUCK!....when I shake his hand.
He'll put a knot on my noggin!

Hey Grumpy, I think your hay racks are great so I made some of your hay racks and I have a few questions.

Some of my cage doors are made with 1"X 1" wire, do you think my rabbits can pull the hay through the wire? Also since most of my rabbits are potential show rabbits do you think they will wear any of the fur off around their nose. If there is any doubt I can change the doors.

I have included a few pics.

Ni-i-ce setup, Beekeeper!

Your hayracks couldn't have come a moment too soon! You could feed an army of rabbits with what is on the ground! :lol:

When I had goats, I gave all the waste hay to them. I think you need some goats... :twisted:

Love your setup, Beekeeper! And I love the recycling of the election signs.

There's a good possibility with that one by one.
I'd keep a close eye on 'em just in case.

Excellent set-up. I really like it.

grumpy.

Thanks Grumpy. I copied your watering system and now your hay feeders. Now I am waiting on your next project, any ideas yet. :mrgreen:

MSD, I don't know about goats. I came close to getting some Katahdin sheep once but having to build fence and running water lines changed my mind. I think having bees, chickens, quail, rabbits and cats is enough to keep feed for. :roll:

Marinea it is time for another election, I am running short on campaign signs. I don't have enough to finish my feeders.

Beekeeper10":1qwfi866 said:

Thanks Grumpy. I copied your watering system and now your hay feeders. Now I am waiting on your next project, any ideas yet. :mrgreen:

MSD, I don't know about goats. I came close to getting some Katahdin sheep once but having to build fence and running water lines changed my mind. I think having bees, chickens, quail, rabbits and cats is enough to keep feed for. :roll:

Marinea it is time for another election, I am running short on campaign signs. I don't have enough to finish my feeders.

Click to expand...

I really like that campaign sign usage.
Too bad they can't be made for drop boards.
"Poetic Justice" if you know what I mean.

LMAO:
Ya shoulda seen my water cabinet and barrels yesterday evening.
I had them scattered from hell to howdy.
Had my water vacuum out cleaning debris accumulated
in the water reservoirs over the past couple of months.

While I was at it, I sanitized the barrels and water-lines as well.
My feed-room looked like a cyclone had hit it.
I'm getting ready for a big push into my fall breeding
and I like to have everything spic and span beforehand.

The sons got part of the grow-out room cleaned and shoveled
a couple of days ago. I had to laugh at a buddy of my oldest son.
He's 6'6" tall....I've got a 7' ceiling. He kept bumpin' his head
on the light sockets. CUSSIN' ALL THE TIME.
He had some really 'descriptive' remarks about my fly-strips as well.
He never stopped shoveling though. He's a good kid.

Still workin' on those poop-trays.
My next project/s (actually, I have two) are the solar drier
and a larger grow-out area separate from the main rabbitry.
I'll take before, during, and after pics of both projects.

My missus keeps telling me I need to write
a book about 'Rabbit-Keeping'.

Maybe someday I will.

Grumpy

Grumpy, it sounds like you are busy.

I am having trouble with using the plastic signs. The staples keep punching all the way through and I didn't have any glue that I thought would stick to the plastic. I think part of the problem was that I used strand board for the sides. I think it is to soft to be able to get the air pressure adjusted right. The staples went in fine from the side but when I stapled from the end, the strand board just opened up and and the staple went through the plastic.

I woke up at 4 o'clock this morning thinking about it. I have some pieces of 1/2" AC fur that I am going to try for the sides and if the staples still go through I have some 1/4" plywood that I am going to use instead of the plastic.

I also think I am going to build some more doors with 1"X 2" wire.

I like the Rabbit-Keeper part. I think it should be part of the title of your book. :mrgreen:

I think you should write that book soon or I am going to have to come up there and see your setup and pick your brain.

grumpy":1e1prnbk said:

Marinea":1e1prnbk said:

I love that idea, Grumpy. It goes great with my two principles- keep it cheap and make it simple.

Going to show this to my hubby...I am sure he'll thank you for yet another project.

Click to expand...

If I'm ever lucky enough to meet your hubby in person,
I'm gonna.....DUCK!....when I shake his hand.
He'll put a knot on my noggin!

Click to expand...

You're safe, Grumpy. Hubby looked at your pics, nodded and said, "We have the materials. Shouldn't take too long. It looks good."

*waiting patiently for Grumpy's NEXT project*

Oh, Beekeeper, I think we're going to use scrap pieces of T-111 instead of cardboard. We get the scraps from our local Amish shed builders for $1.00 for a piece 4'x2'. We use those scraps in a LOT of ways.