Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will an EzeFeeder hold?

The capacity of an ezefeeder is around 2.8 cubic metres or in the old language, about 27 bags. This equates to approximately 1.4 tonnes of oats, 1.7 tonnes of barley, 2.2 tonnes of wheat or lupins and 1.6 tonnes of Milne Easy Lick pellets. Of course weights will vary slightly from sample  to sample.

What are the dimensions of the EzeFeeder?

Length:  2.4m
Width of the grain box: 1.2m
Overall Width including rain hoods: 1.7m
Height: 1.9m
Height to "easy reach" Handle:  1.7m

The Eze Feeder is designed to fit in the tray of a standard ute with the tailgate closed.

All measurements are approximate.

How many sheep can one feeder handle?

There is no specific number as other feed on offer will influence the number of sheep. For example, we have had a case where two feeders had 1300 sheep on them, however this was in a recently harvested oat paddock with substantial areas left unharvested. Therefore the sheep had a good choice of food from standing oats, 'flag' and spillage.

On a bare paddock at the end of summer, or in drought times as we have recently experienced, numbers should not exceed 150 head per feeder. This is because a problem occurs where more dominant sheep will return for a second feed before shy feeders have had an opportunity to feed.

How low can I adjust the feed rate?

Again there is no specific answer to this question,  due to the number of variable factors. The factors that can affect feed rates are:

1. Motivation - Hungry sheep will return more frequently and consume more food than will well fed stock.
2. Experience - Sheep that have had previous experience with a lick feeder develop a technique for extracting maximum feed.
3. Feed Type - will affect the rate at which feed flows. For example a clean sample of lupins will flow more easily than a header sample of bearded barley.

We had a situation where a client had two feeders set identically. A group of mature rams on one feeder were consuming over 1kg of lupins per day while another group of hogget ewes were consuming less than 500g.

Anyone who claims that a given setting will produce a constant feed rate is either naive or being deliberately misleading. Farmers need to use the skills that they have developed in visually monitoring sheep performance and adjust the feeder to suit. As one of our clients (Italian) has said: "If they're a little bit poor, give them a little bit more... If they're a little bit fat, cut them a little bit back!"

How do I stop the sheep digging holes while feeding from the lick feeder?

Where possible, feeders should be put on rocky ground or even a rock outcrop. Where this isn't possible, other methods have been used including shade cloth, steel mesh, concrete slabs and more commonly rubber belting.  This can be placed along either side and easily shifted when the feeder is relocated. The feeder can sit on the edge of the rubber matting however this is not necessary as belting  will not easily move.

Rubber Belting is available from many suppliers and we also have some in stock if required.

What’s the best way to shift my Eze Feeder?

The heavy duty HD with the full steel chassis can be easily dragged by fixing a tow rope through the foot hole. On the original Eze Feeder, tow rope must be attached to both legs and must not be attached through the foot hole.

Many farmers move their Eze Feeder on the hay forks of their tractor. The original Eze Feeder should be lifted with a timber pallet on the hay forks - preferably with no more than 400kgs of contents in the feeder. The new heavy duty model (HD) can be lifted directly, even when full.  

For moving greater distances, possibly from farm to farm, the Eze Feeder tilt back trailer with easy slide rails is ideal.