Homemade Cow Hay Feeders

A hay feeder is a device designed to hold hay and prevent animals from scattering it on the ground. Hay feeders keep hay contained in such a way that animals such as cows can only pull out the hay they latch onto with their mouth and cannot drag additional hay with it. This feature prevents the hay from spoiling on the ground and decreases the expense of buying more hay. A simple hay feeder is easy to create.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 2 wooden pallets
  • 2 landscaping timbers
  • Posthole digger
  • 4 metal chains
  • 16 wood screws
  • 8 washers
  • Cordless drill
  • Screwdriver bit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the width of two wooden pallets and the length of two landscaping timbers with measuring tape.

    • 2

      Dig postholes in the ground one-third as deep as the length of the landscaping timbers and spaced as far apart as the width of the pallets.

    • 3

      Insert a wooden timber into each hole. Fill the space between the timber and the sides of the hole with dirt.

    • 4

      Place the two pallets so they face one another between the two upright landscaping timbers. Attach a metal chain to both top corners of each pallet by inserting a wood screw into a washer and then into the end link of a chain. Drive the wood screw into the wood in each upper corner of a pallet using a drill and screwdriver bit. Lift the pallet, and attach the other end of the chain to the top of the post nearest the chain. The two pallets should now hang from the two posts.

    • 5

      Lift each pallet and tilt it outward so the bottom of the pallet touches the post and a chain holds the top outward at a 45 degree angle from the post. Attach the bottom of each pallet at each corner to the post with wood screws.