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Hay Boxes
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We just build the boxes to be 1 to 2 inches larger, length and width, than the bale of hay. The grate is perhaps 1" smaller, length and width, than the interior dimension so it's a good fit inside the box. We added cords with spring clips on the inside coming from the bottom of the feeder to clip to the grate, since on a few occasions, we had found an alpaca wearing the grate around the neck! Also, we attach the grate to the 2x2" lumber frame with 1/4" cable clamps and screws since the small fencing staples that we used to use to attach them can come out and can make for a dangerous situation.

We cut down cattle panels for the grates, but in the future, I will purchase 4x4" galvanized panels rather than the graduated cattle panels. The cattle panels have openings large enough for an adult alpaca to fit its head through which has also resulted in animals wearing the grate around their neck or caught in the feeder. With the 4" x 4" galvanized panels, the spaces are large enough for the alpacas to get to the hay, but not large enough to fit the whole head through.

Our hay boxes are built to accomodate 100 lb., 2 string bales. Off-hand, I think the rough dimensions of the hay bales are 4' x 18" x 16". We use CDX grade plywood which runs about $11 a sheet around these parts, plus some dimensional lumber for structural parts. We have also been known to use whatever scrap plywood, 2x4s and 2x2s we have sitting around. Also, scrounge construction sites! I'm sure they're happy to save money on going to to dump! There might be $25-30, even up to $50 including the grate, of materials in these feeders, and they are very sturdy. We've never had to make any repairs on them. We're now also making them with 2x2s and plywood only, instead of 2x4s. They are lighter for us to move when necessary and we've found they are every bit as sturdy. However if you require the weight to keep them in place, do use 2x4s.

In my opinion, those expensive and very heavy steel feeders that cost hundreds of dollars are a terrible waste of money! And they're potentially dangerous if one falls over on an animal, as someone posted did happen on their farm.