Hog Feeder Information

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Hog Feeder Information

Options in modern hog feeders

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There are two basic types of hog feeders - gravity feeders and ration feeders. Gravity feeders use a feed adjustment method that it maintains a certain level of feed in the trough and excess feed is always available. Ration feeders supply a limited amount of feed that is delivered as the hog presses on the feeder's agitator. Both styles regulate the amount of feed delivery to minimize wasted feed. As feed makes up 70-80 percent of the total cost of pork production, minimizing waste is of major importance in choosing a hog feeder.

Hog feeders for self-feeding hogs can also be divided into categories by size - nursery hog feeders, grower hog feeders, and finishing hog feeders that take hogs up to market weight. In addition, hog feeders are divided into indoor and outdoor constructions. They are all configured with a hopper assembly and a multi-compartment base. The bases are usually very heavy to prevent the hog feeder from tipping over.

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What to look for in a hog feeder

A self-feeding hog feeder should stand up to hard use and be easy to clean to avoid microbial contamination leading to spoilage. Hog feeders should be cleaned regularly.

Hog lot and confinement pen acids should have no effect on the feeder. Polyethylene and galvanized steel are good choices for hog feeders. Other materials will disintegrate rapidly.

Feed distribution system that will keep a steady amount of feed flowing freely. Combined with smooth interior walls, the feed distributions system should be able to feed high moisture grain without build-up or bridging.

Individual compartments that allow for a pig's natural rooting action to keep the feed agitated and reduce bridging. The compartments should also be shaped to keep the animal over or inside the feeder to reduce waste.

Hog feeders should have an adjustment system that regulates the amount of feed in the trough at any given time to minimize waste.

Indoor hog feeders

The Duralife polyethylene hog feeder is a typical example of a ration style indoor hog feeder. It is made from tough polyethylene so acids from hog waste have no effect. As an indoor hog feeder, it comes without a lid. This is an oscillating feeder. Oscillating feeders are animal activated and keep feed distributed evenly around the trough. The feeder adjustment assembly combined with the feed distribution system and grill work together to minimize waste. The grill keeps the hog right over the trough while eating so excess can fall back into the trough and not on the ground.

This indoor hog feeder also has fence-line adapters so you can feed two adjacent pens with a single feeder. Heavy steel dividers bolt to the feeder on one side and the dividing fence panel on the other giving hogs access from both pens.

Polyethylene Oscillating Indoor Hog Feeder

These indoor hog feeders come in nursery, grower and finishing sizes. Nursery feeders feed piglets from weaning size up to 90 lbs and have smaller feed pans with smaller openings for nursery pigs. Each 2-3 bushel nursery hog feeder can feed 35-40 pigs. Grower hog feeders and finish hog feeders feed pigs from 40 lbs up to market weight. Each 6 bushel hog feeder can feed 50-55 pigs. Finish hog feeders typically have a larger feed pan than grower hog feeders.

Click here to see sizes and prices for indoor pig feeders.

Outdoor hog feeders

Outdoor hog feeders come in a range from 40 to 90 bushel capacities. The SUPREME hog feeder is a typical gravity style outdoor hog feeder. It is made from galvanized 12 guage steel and has polyethylene skid runners so the feeder will not rust and is resistant to acids from hog waste. The feed flow rate is adjustable to keep a pre-set level of feed in the trough for self-feeding hogs.

80 Bushel SUPREME Hog Feeder

This particular feeder has a modern trough design with many practical features. A scalloped trough design saves feed by providing large openings that are "natural" to a hog's jowls to help keep the hog over the feeder and keep the feed in the feeding zone where hogs can get to it. The trough also had a feed-saving flange to help keep the feed in the trough.

Newer hog feeders also feature plastic doors. Plastic doors keep noise levels down as they do not bang down like older metal trough lids. Less noise equals less stress for the pig. Plastic is also safer - they cannot cut the hogs. In addition, a wet hog mouth's won't stick to them in cold weather causing tearing as they pull away from frozen metal.

The BIG 'O' oscillating pig feeder is a more modern design in outdoor hog feeders. It has a polyethylene base and poly skids so acids from hog waste will have no effect. In addition, this hog feeder will not rust, rot or corrode. The polyethylene base will fit most sizes of feeders on the market. An adapter ring is used to fit other models. Instead of throwing away an old feeder with a rusted-out bottom, a new polyethylene base can be bolted to the top half of an older feeder to save money on replacement feeders.

This is a ration type feeder. The principle behind ration feeding is that the animal is required to work the agitator to dispense feed. This insures that wasted feed is kept to a minimum.

65 Bushel Big O Oscillating Outdoor Hog Feeder

Click here to see sizes and prices for outdoor hog feeders and bases.