Livestock feeder and manufacturing method

A method of fabricating a feeder, which comprises the steps of:

• a) extruding a continuous length of plastic tubing;
• b) passing said tubing through a forming shoe;
• c) curving said tubing in said forming shoe;
• d) passing said tubing through a cooler for cooling same;
• e) cutting said tubing into multiple ring segments with predetermined lengths and opposed ring segment ends;
• f) assembling multiple feeder sidewall sections from said ring segments, each said sidewall section having rim, base, and medial ring segments positioned in generally parallel, spaced relation;
• g) providing each said sidewall section with a plurality of upper tier support bars extending between and connected to said rim and medial ring segments;
• h) providing each said sidewall section with a plurality of lower tier support bars extending between and connected to said base and medial ring segments;
• and
• i) connecting said sections at said ring segment ends whereby said sections form a sidewall for said feeder, said sidewall defining a feeder enclosure adapted for receiving and retaining feed therein.

A livestock feeder having a sidewall including a top and a bottom and forming a feed-receiving enclosure, said sidewall comprising:

• a) a plurality of rings, including a rim ring located at said sidewall top, a base ring located at said sidewall bottom and a medial ring located intermediate said rim and base rings;
• each said ring comprising a plurality of generally horizontal ring segments, each said ring segment having opposite ends with one of said ends forming a receiver and the other of said ends having a reduced diameter male member extending outwardly therefrom, each said receiver telescopically receiving the male member of an adjacent one of said ring segments;
• b) an upper tier including said rim and medial rings and a plurality of upper tier support bars extending therebetween, each said upper tier support bar including upper and lower ends connected to said rim and medial rings respectively;
• and
• c) a lower tier including said base and medial rings and a plurality of lower tier support bars, each said lower tier support bar including upper and lower ends connected to said medial and base rings respectively.