Teen Designed Triple Calf Feeder

Teen Designed Triple Calf Feeder DAIRY EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Samuel Thompson 20 feeds three calves in the same amount of time it takes to feed one with his triple calf feeder His design also ensures that each calf gets an equal share and that the feeder can be easily and thoroughly cleaned Thompson of Rushville N Y came up with the idea when he was 18 and had a full time job and calves to feed before and after work He didn’t like commercially-available multiple feeding units because they could clog easily Using the basic idea he decided to use pvc sewer pipe – a T two 45-degree sections and three ends He also cut the edges off two caps that fit inside the pvc to create half walls to hold a quart of milk in each of the 45-degree sections He also cut out the ends to insert Peach Teats calf nipples that have threads “They are threaded so they reseal each time ” Thompson says “I wanted to be able to unscrew the ends to wash them out ” For easy filling he added a funnel by drilling a hole in the pvc T for a screw-in fitting The funnel is plastic welded to the inside of the fitting He also added a couple of vents for good airflow Thompson secured the feeder on a wooden shelf with iron strapping Three calves sucking at once make it difficult to hold by hand He runs water through the unit after every feeding and takes it apart a couple times a week to clean it thoroughly in water with bleach The feeder works well on the calves right up to weaning says Thompson who buys calves in groups of three to raise and sell Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Samuel Thompson 451 West Swamp Rd Rushville N Y 14544 ph 585 554-3555; boomboy13@gmail com

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