kitcat0601
Outhouse Monitor
Smooth Flyin' Jet AKA: "Rocky"
Posts: 249
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Post by kitcat0601 on May 18, 2007 6:51:50 GMT -5
Just curious, how to you get a foal to eat out of the creep feeder? My colt seems like he is afraid of the bars. Any ideas on how to help him figure out how to eat out of it and that it isnt going to swallow him whole?? He gets his nose in there and then gets scared.
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Post by coloredarab on May 18, 2007 20:49:14 GMT -5
My babies had the same reaction to the bunk feeder with the hay rack attached to the top of it. They were afraid they would get their heads stuck, I think. It took them a day or two, but they caught on pretty quickly. I imagine your colt will, too. ;D
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Post by glitterless on May 19, 2007 0:25:37 GMT -5
Has your colt eaten any grain out of a regular bucket or have you hand fed him yet? If not, try that so that he knows just what he's missing by not getting into his creep feeder!
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kitcat0601
Outhouse Monitor
Smooth Flyin' Jet AKA: "Rocky"
Posts: 249
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Post by kitcat0601 on May 19, 2007 5:58:30 GMT -5
He eats out of his mom's bucket with her, but he isnt getting enough because she pushes his head out. I tried to show him the feed in the creep feeder. I was thinking last night, that maybe I will take the bars off it so he might start eating out of it, then when he gets the idea put the bars back on.
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patty dukes
Hoof Picker
April and Baby 4/28/07
Posts: 294
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Post by patty dukes on May 19, 2007 9:48:07 GMT -5
that all sounds like great advise I was wondering the same thing.
I also was thinking about getting one of those but my mare will share with her baby. My filly is only 3 weeks old today and she likes feed but when her mom is eating she is more interested in nursing OR me and the kids!!!
I feed a mixture of sweet feed, whole oats and corn..........they love it!!!!
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Post by risingrainbow on May 19, 2007 12:27:22 GMT -5
I have found that taking out the bars at first and then putting just part of them in for the second step so the bars aren't right next to the foal's face to start, really helps get a foal that is worried about being trapped over that. Once the foal is comfortable with a couple of bars and has learned to bump them etc, then I add in the rest. Sometimes I even will put feed in my hand just beneath the bars a little so the foal has to stick just a little of it's nose in to get that reward helps build their confidence as well.
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judmor
Outhouse Monitor
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Post by judmor on May 19, 2007 12:38:49 GMT -5
Non horseperson here. What is a creep feeder?
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kitcat0601
Outhouse Monitor
Smooth Flyin' Jet AKA: "Rocky"
Posts: 249
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Post by kitcat0601 on May 19, 2007 13:26:49 GMT -5
Judmore, its a feeder for the foal with narrow bars so only he can get his muzzle in it and eat out of it. You put feed in it and the foal is supposed to nibble when he wants and mom cant eat it.
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judmor
Outhouse Monitor
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Post by judmor on May 19, 2007 13:36:03 GMT -5
Thank you.
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kitcat0601
Outhouse Monitor
Smooth Flyin' Jet AKA: "Rocky"
Posts: 249
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Post by kitcat0601 on Jun 5, 2007 9:47:51 GMT -5
Well, I put a couple of the bars on the feeder, then I put them spaced just so the colt could eat out of it. He doesnt want to.. So, I put a few of them on there. Then his piggy mom tries to shove her nose in there and is knocking the thing off the wall. So, I took the bars off again and put feed in each feed bucket. Mama takes a bite out of her bucket, then his bucket, etc.. Basically she shoves him out or keeps him from getting very much grain untill he gives up. He probably gets a total of 1/2 a scoop a day. His ribs show a little, but he isnt thin. He is growing very tall, very quick. He is 12hh at the butt at 2 months old. Any suggestions on how to keep her big schnozz out of his food? Do foals only eat what they need? He really digs into it.
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bndranch
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Sleep tight my sweet Larkin.....02/08/07-02/11/07
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Post by bndranch on Jun 5, 2007 10:50:05 GMT -5
Can you rig a creepe feeder up like in the corner of the stall that only he can get through. Like the Kruger ranch takes and makes a wall with pipes per say and they space the pipes that only the foal can get back there. The mare can see the foal the entire time but it will go back there by itself. Starlight Ranch also has one. They bed the babies side down really heavy and keep his own hay, water, and grain in there. Sometimes you see these little portable creepe stations for cows too. Might help good luck!!
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patty dukes
Hoof Picker
April and Baby 4/28/07
Posts: 294
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Post by patty dukes on Jun 5, 2007 18:18:26 GMT -5
is the reason it is called a CREEP feeder is because it creeps the foals out???
Just joking I know better than that but I was wondering why it is called that
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