How to Make a Sheep Feeder

Sheep are reared for their fleece or mutton. But the way a sheep is fed determines how much hay is wasted in the process or how much wool is ruined due to large amounts of vegetable matter. A good feeder should also be able to hold the hay in place and not drop it all over the pen until it is all eaten. The idea is to build a sheep feeder on the outside of the fence so that the sheep stick their head through the fence to feed.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-by-4 wood planks
  • Table saw
  • Hammer
  • Wood nails
  • 1/2-inch plywood
  • Tape measure
  • 4-foot cedar posts
  • Shovel
  • Cement
  • Sand
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut one piece measuring three feet in length from the 2-by-4 plank and another six pieces measuring two feet long using a table saw.

    • 2

      Build the feeder trough frame. Cut the ends of the 2-foot planks at a 45-degree angle using a table saw. Set the table saw angle to a 45-degree angle. The 2-foot plank looks like a trapezoid. The top edge of the plank is shorter than the bottom edge of the plank. Continue until four 45-degree angle, 2-foot planks are made.

    • 3

      Place the 3-foot, 2-by-4 plank horizontally. Place the edge of 45-degree angle, 2-foot plank on side of the 3-foot plank. Place the 2-foot plank at the left end of the 3-foot plank. Nail it to the side using a hammer and wood nails.

    • 4

      Place the 3-foot, 2-by-4 plank horizontally. Place the edge of a 45-degree angle, 2-foot plank on the opposite side of the 3-foot plank. Place the 2-foot plank at the left end of the 3-foot plank. Nail it to the side using a hammer and wood nails. This makes a V-shaped base.

    • 5

      Place the 3-foot, 2-by-4 plank horizontally. Place the edge of 45-degree angle, 2-foot plank on side of the 3-foot plank. Place the 2-foot plank at the right end of the 3-foot plank. Nail it to the side using a hammer and wood nails.

    • 6

      Place the 3-foot, 2-by-4 plank horizontally. Place the edge of 45-degree angle, 2-foot plank on the opposite side of the 3-foot plank. Place the 2-foot plank at the right end of the 3-foot plank. Nail it to the side using a hammer and wood nails. This makes a V-shape base. After both of the bases are nailed, invert the structure. The V-shape legs touch the ground in four places. The 3-foot plank is suspended in air. This is the frame of the sheep feeder.

    • 7

      Nail the 2-foot plank to the inside of the V-shape legs on the left side of the frame. The 2-foot plank is six inches above the ground. Measure the distance using at tape measure. The 2-foot plank will hold the plywood for the feeder.

    • 8

      Nail the 2-foot plank to the inside of the V-shaped legs on the right side of the frame. The 2-foot plank is six inches above the ground. Measure the distance using a tape measure. The 2-foot plank will hold the plywood for the feeder.

    • 9

      Line the inside of the V-shaped frame with plywood. Cut plywood 2-feet-8-inches in length and 2-feet in width. Place the plywood over the 2-foot planks located on the inside of the V-shape legs. You can also use metal sheet though plywood is easier to cut into shape with an ordinary table saw.

    • 10

      Cut two 2-by-4 wood planks to the length of 2-feet-8-inches using a table saw. Cut two 2-by-4 wood planks to the length of 2-feet using a table saw.

    • 11

      Place these pieces on top of the plywood in a rectangular pattern. Nail the 2-feet-8-inches planks on the top and bottom edge of the plywood using a hammer and nails. Nail the 2-feet planks on the sides of the plywood. This makes the sheep feeder.

    • 12

      Place the sheep feeder on the outside of the sheep pen's fence line. Dig two holes five inches in depth and sink cedar posts into them using a shovel. The holes are dug on the sides of the sheep feeder. The cedar posts should be at least four feet in height with a diameter of four inches. Cover the holes with a mixture of sand, cement and ballast and wait for it to dry. This may take a day or two.

    • 13

      Make a cover for the feeder. A single rectangular wooden frame that fits onto the feeder and lined with plywood will do just fine. The cover will help protect the sheep feed from rain and other natural elements.