Portable animal feed bunk and method of feeding stacked or baled hay

Abstract

Three tubular rings are spaced apart by tubular vertical members. Animal-head openings are defined by the top and middle rings and the opposite vertical members. The space from the middle ring to the bottom ring is covered with woven-wire fencing material. The circular structure may be disassembled into three arcuate sections having angle-iron members at opposite ends with legs which overlap and are bolted together. An alternate embodiment is of a unitary construction. The method of using the circular feed bunk includes placing the hay on the ground and placing the feed bunk on its side adjacent the hay and then tipping the feed bunk onto and over the hay whereby the animals may feed on the hay through the animal-head openings. The bunk may be rolled between feeding stations when positioned on its side.

I claim: 
     
       1. A portable animal feed bunk comprising, a plurality of arcuate frame sections having interconnected .[.overlapping.]. end portions forming a cylindrical feed bunk of substantially large diameter, open at opposite ends and along its length for free formed substantially large baled hay, said frame sections having a grid formed by vertical and horizontal members in spaced apart relationship with the substantial top half of said grid having large animal feeding grid openings and the substantial bottom half of said grid having hay retaining relatively smaller grid openings, and said feed bunk being light weight for rolling between use locations and tipping onto said large bales of hay.   
     
     
       2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said bottom half of said grid includes woven wire on said frame sections. 
     
     
       3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said horizontal members of said bottom half of said grid form a plurality of horizontally disposed ring members. 
     
     
       4. The structure of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.6 .Iaddend.wherein said interconnected overlapping end portions are further defined as being L-shaped with legs of adjacent members being in overlapping relationship, and fasteners being provided for detachably interconnecting said overlapping legs. 
     
     
       5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said vertical and horizontal members are formed of tubular material. .Iadd. 6. The structure of claim 1 wherein said interconnected end portions are overlapping..Iaddend.