James D Cross

US Patent:

59470550, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

Feb 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/025811

Inventors:

James B. Cross - Leesburg VA

International Classification:

A01K 110

US Classification:

119 58

Abstract:

A livestock feeder has a trough having a downwardly sloping section of a feeding surface ending in a lowermost portion disposed below a suspended horizontal bottom hay bale stop bar. The horizontal bottom hay bale stop bar is positioned above and not in contact with the feeding surface of the trough. The animals may feed directly from the hay bale by reaching below the bottom stop bar or may feed through the inner frame, by reaching above the stop bar. The outer cage and inner frame define a livestock feeding region which functions such that when the livestock are feeding, loosened and dropped seed and hay flow down the downwardly sloping feeding surface, towards the front wall of the trough and into the lowermost portion where they are retained until they are consumed by the livestock without wastage. The feeder has access for feeding by the livestock limited to the front wall side of the feeder, resulting in easy, safe accessibility by vehicles used for loading the feeder or transporting the feeder. The feeder trough may be cast from concrete or cement to provide a highly durable, weather-resistant structure which is portable but not easily damaged by large livestock such as cattle.