Getting Started: Farm Animals
Handy Hay Nets work great with small and large flocks of animals. With our slow feeder hay nets you can easily keep animals together, saving you time.
Your animals will settle into a calm routine grazing from our hay nets. You will have the best success if you provide many nets around the animals' enclosures. This way, many different animals can eat at the same time without competition.
Another useful set-up is to hang a Bale Bag off a pulley system so that many animals can eat around it. People with goats have great success with this set-up.
Our nets simulate grazing on pasture, allowing your animals to trickle feed. This constant supply of forage means you don't need to rush home to feed because there are no hungry or stressed animals!
With Handy Hay Nets™ your animals will also be able to regulate their body temperature better during cold weather, as they will have access to constant forage.
Handy Hay Nets - Getting started guide.
Download the pdf of this guide here and keep a copy out at the barn.
When you first introduce animals to slow feeder hay nets, make sure there is loose hay available as well. During the transition never feed only with a hay net if your animal is hungry as this will cause stress and frustration. We recommend you feed 3/4 of what you would normally feed in addition to the hay bag to start.
It can take anywhere from a week to a month for animals to really get the hang of eating from our hay nets, but most people find that when they do, they prefer their bags to the loose hay!
Hungry animals will often paw or bite through the netting. As they adjust, they use their teeth and lips to pull the hay through the holes.
Don’t pack the bag too tight or they won't be able to get the hay out. Pull some hay through the netting to help them get the idea.
Quick drops in temperature and very cold weather can require your animals to need additional loose hay. The loose hay can help them maintain their body temperature during cold snaps.
Don’t let your Handy Hay Net run out. Hay becomes harder to get out as the bag empties due to all the broken bits. Empty them out on the ground so your animals can clean up the last of it.
Trickle Feeding means having a constant supply of forage available at all times. Trust that your animals will adjust over time and settle into a balanced weight.
Ensure your slow feeder for farm animals is consistently filled to avoid frustration and maximize its effectiveness. Trickle feeding with a slow feeder ensures your farm companions have a steady supply of forage, promoting natural foraging behaviours and supporting their overall well-being.
*CAUTION* do not use hay nets with horned animals.
