Suspendable feed block system for animals and method for making same

Abstract

A suspendable feed block system for animals has a feed block formed of a hardened mass of feed supplement material in block form, wherein the feed supplement material provides a source of magnesium. The feed block is molded around and encases a feed block support. The support has an elongated flexible element including, a plurality of protuberances located intermittently along a length of the element. At least one end of the elongated flexible element protrudes from the feed block and is fastenable to a separate suspending component. A method of manufacturing the suspendable feed block system for animals is also provided. A mold can be used for forming the feed block with the support suspended or encased therein, and the mold can be biodegradable, edible, or both.

1 . A suspendable feed block system for animals, comprising:
 a) a feed block comprising a hardened mass of feed supplement material in block form, wherein the feed supplement material comprises a source of magnesium;   b) a feed block support around which the feed block is formed and hardened, wherein the support comprises an elongated flexible element having a plurality of links, protuberances, or both, located intermittently along a length thereof, and at least one end of the elongated flexible element protrudes from the feed block and is fastenable to a separate suspending component.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 c) a biodegradable mold in which the feed block is molded.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the biodegradable mold comprises a circular cross-section and tapers from one end to an opposite end. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible element comprises an element selected from the group consisting of a chain, a cable, and a rope. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible element comprises links and protuberances, and a length of chain extending into the hardened mass of feed supplement material, wherein the protuberances extend transversely or substantially transversely from links of the length of chain and into the hardened mass of feed supplement material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible element comprises protuberances, and the protuberances comprise planar or substantially planar geometrical configuration portions selected from the group consisting of circular portions, oval portions, polygonal portions, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible element comprises links and protuberances, and a length of metal chain, wherein the protuberances are disc-shaped and comprise polymeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feed block has been molded in a container that comprises an inner sidewall comprising multiple sides, wherein adjacent sides thereof meet at corners. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feed block has been molded in a container that comprises an inner sidewall comprising 3 to 12 sides, and the feed block has external sides which are complementary in geometry to the inner sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feed block has been molded in a container that comprises a cardboard construction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a chain connected to the end of the elongated flexible element via a connector, wherein the chain is mountable to a fence or post for suspending the system above ground. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feed block has a mass of from about 10 pounds to about 50 pounds (from about 4.5 kg to about 23 kg). 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feed supplement material comprises the source of magnesium in bioavailable form and edible amounts accessible to animals from the feed block in an effective amount to calm the behavior of an animal consuming such amounts compared to the animal without consuming the feed supplement material. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mass of feed supplement material has a composition comprising:
 1) molasses;   2) calcium salt;   3) magnesium oxide;   4) distillers grains;   5) mold inhibitor; and   6) flavored nutritive mix.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mass of feed supplement material comprises 35-85 wt % molasses, 10-30 wt % limestone, 6-20 wt % reactive magnesium oxide, 2-15 wt % distillers grains (DDGS, DDG, and/or WDG), 0.01 wt % to 0.5 wt % mold inhibitor, and 1-8 wt % flavored nutritive mix, wherein the flavored nutritive mix comprises one or more of yeast or yeast products, aluminosilicate, processed grain by-product, grain, soy product, crop residue or stover, artificial sweetener, natural sweetener, other natural flavorant, and/or other artificial flavorant. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a suspendable feed block system for animals, comprising:
 (a) loading a solidifiable moldable mass comprising feed supplement ingredients m a container, wherein the feed supplement ingredients comprise a source of magnesium;   (b) suspending a support in the solidifiable moldable mass, wherein the support comprises an elongated flexible element having a plurality of links, protuberances, or both, located intermittently along a length of the element;   (c) hardening the solidifiable moldable mass after the suspending of step (b) to provide a suspendable rigid block having a block shape defined by the container, and wherein at least one end of the elongated flexible element protrudes from the rigid block and is fastenable to a separate suspending component.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: (d) removing the suspendable rigid block from the container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the suspending in step (b) comprises i) immersing the elongated flexible element into the solidifiable moldable mass or ii) pouring the solidifiable moldable mass around the elongated flexible element as pre-suspended within the container when empty. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, before step (a), formulating the solidifiable moldable mass with a composition comprising molasses, calcium salt, magnesium oxide, distillers grains, mold inhibitor, and flavored nutritive mix. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, before step (a), formulating the solidifiable moldable mass with a composition comprising 35-85 wt % molasses, 10-30 wt % limestone, 6-20 wt % reactive magnesium oxide, 2-15 wt % distillers grains, 0.01 wt % to 0.5 wt % mold inhibitor, and 1-8 wt % flavored nutritive mix, wherein the flavored nutritive mix comprises one or more of yeast or yeast products, aluminosilicate, processed grain by-product, grain, soy product, crop residue or stover, artificial sweetener, natural sweetener, other natural flavorant, and/or other artificial flavorant.