The feeding barrier is a central element of loose housing, since it shapes how comfortably and safely animals feed every single day. The system only works if you match the barrier to the type and age of the animal and mount it at the correct height. PATURA has compiled recommended installation dimensions and answers to the most common questions on this, and Kancler Sistem Pro, as its Slovenian partner, turns them into concrete cattle farming solutions for local barns.
Why the feed table must be higher than the standing area
Farmers often ask why the feed table cannot be level with the standing area, since on pasture the animal is grazing at the same height it is standing on. The reason is simple: on pasture, an animal shifts one leg forward while eating, which it cannot do in a barn, giving it a shorter reach to the feed. The feed table is raised precisely to compensate for that difference.
The same logic applies to the manger: it has to reach all the way to the feeding barrier, otherwise feed falls onto the feed table instead of into the manger. If you set the posts directly in concrete inside the manger, the manger should be 5-10 cm wider than the post itself, otherwise installation becomes difficult.
What happens when the height is wrong
An incorrect mounting height is not just a cosmetic flaw, it affects both animal health and how the barrier functions:
- A barrier mounted too low can cause neck abrasions, and the locking mechanism in self-locking feeding barriers stops working properly.
- A barrier mounted too high prevents smaller animals from reaching the feed, and animals have trouble entering and leaving the barrier.
That is why the mounting height of the neck rail, the feeding barrier and the manger needs to be worked out at the basic barn planning stage, not only once you buy the equipment.
The self-locking feeding barrier: three positions
A self-locking feeding barrier lets an animal that lies down and slips with its head lowered free itself without the farmer's help. The system has three positions: free access, capture, and a safety "emergency" position. The barrier frame is made from tube with a diameter of 60 mm (2"), while the intermediate tubes and locking frame have a diameter of 42.4 mm. Each feeding place opens individually, and slanted mounting is also possible. Standard lengths range from 1.0 to 6.0 m, with a feed place width between 60 and 100 cm.
Two PATURA versions stand out:
- Type SSV has an adjustable neck width and suits all cattle breeds and barn types, with emergency release through a lower opening. Quiet closing is achieved through rubber dampers and plastic caps, and the barrier can be opened up (use a support wheel from 3.00 m onward). It also suits calves wearing collars, provided the arch is shaped appropriately.
- Type SV likewise has an adjustable neck width, but is designed primarily for fattening cattle and young stock. The feed place is triple-reinforced for high stability even with fattening animals, while for young cattle, adjusting to smaller feed place widths allows better use of space.
Both types carry the same safety notice: never leave the barn while the barrier is set to the "captured" position, and animals should only be fixed in place under supervision.
Modular and diagonal versions
The modular SV self-locking feeding barrier allows nearly any length by shortening and adjusting the number of feeding places, with a minimum feed place width of 52 cm. The locking frame is fixed to the support tube with T-clamps, and from 4.00 m onward a standard intermediate support is needed, set in concrete in the manger. A barrier of this kind stands roughly 95 cm high.
A diagonal feeding barrier is another option, suited to groups where the animal needs more freedom of head movement. The adult version is intended for cattle from 18 months of age onward, and a separate version is made for young cattle from 6 to 18 months. For both, from 4.00 m onward, a central support set in concrete in the manger is likewise required.
Checklist for choosing a feeding barrier
- The barrier type (SSV, SV, diagonal) matches the type and age of the animals
- The mounting heights of the manger, feed table and standing area are coordinated with each other
- The manger is 5-10 cm wider than the posts set in concrete inside it
- An intermediate or support post is planned from lengths of 3.00-4.00 m onward
- Staff know the safety rules: supervision when fixing animals, never leaving the barn with the barrier in the "captured" position
Need advice?
We are happy to help you choose the barrier type and feed table height, so simply send us an enquiry.