How Do You Store Round Bales For Horses?

Round bales stored outside should be protected from ground moisture and runoff by being placed on a bed of gravel, old tires, poles or pallets and covered with a waterproof layer. Be aware that stacking round bales generally traps moisture and limits drying, increasing storage losses and the likelihood of fire.

How do you store round bale?

Bales should be stored in rows, buffed end-to-end, and oriented in a north/south direction. The combination of the north/south orientation and at least three feet between rows will provide for good sunlight penetration and air flow, which will allow the area to dry faster after a rain.

What is the best floor to store hay on?

Most barns designed for storing large round bales simply use a dirt floor that is elevated and well drained to minimize moisture intrusion. Some barns that store valuable hay (typically small square bales for the horse market) do use a concrete floor.

Should I cover my round bales?

Round bales stored outside and covered with either plastic or canvas experience less deterioration than unprotected bales. Weathering can reduce quality, particularly digestibility. Plastic wrap, net wrap or tarps can be used to prevent loss from weathering.

How do you store round bales without a barn?

Store hay bales off of the ground – Ground moisture and run-off will soak up into hay bales stored directly on the ground causing mold from the bottom layer up. Storing hay off the ground prevents storage losses. If you don’t have a barn, store hay on wooden pallets and cover them with a tarp.

How long can round bales be left outside?

One round bale lasts about 8-10 days using our regular round bale hay net with 1.75″ holes. Without a net, a bale lasts approximately 5-6 days and half of it is wasted. Once the hay hits the ground, it gets urinated and defecated on or they use it as a bed and refuse to eat it.

Should you stack hay bales on pallets or directly on floor?

Never store hay directly on the floor or the ground. Doing this restricts air from circulating beneath the hay. Moisture will seep up from the damp ground and ruin the entire bale. By using pallets, you allow ventilation beneath the hay and prevent excess moisture.

Should hay be covered with a tarp?

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Bales can be protected even further by covering them with a plastic tarp. This choice is more economical when bales can be stacked several layers high. Uncovered bales should not be stacked, however, as this prevents water from running away from them and keeps them from drying out.

Where do you store hay for horses?

Store hay in a dry place. Before placing hay in a barn or shed, check the roof for leaks. Don’t stack hay directly on the ground. If hay must be stored outside, prepare a pad of gravel several inches thick and raised slightly above ground level.

Why use plastic wrap on round bales?

The last few decades have brought increased interest in the use of plastic wrapped bales for forage. The advantages are clear: reduction in drying time, better leaf retention compared to dry hay, no storage structures needed, and reduction in weather risk.

How do you make round bales last longer?

Tight bales keep their shape longer, are less susceptible to moisture damage, and have less surface area in contact with the ground. Store round bales indoors or on an elevated surface covered with tarps. Look for tarps designed specifically to store hay.

What happens if round bales get wet?

However, if hay bales are too wet, mold can grow and give off heat, creating a fire hazard. You can reduce this risk by not stacking the bales. “That’s why some people make bales and let them sit out individually until they have “cured”.

How many times do you wrap a round bale?

Plastic wrap thickness
At least 6 mils – and preferably 8 mils – of plastic wrap will cover the bale. To achieve this thickness, wrap the bale six times with 1 mil plastic or four times with 1.5 mils plastic.

How long are round bales good for?

In those, bales are easier to spoil. That is why in humid climates, it is best to use them within three years since harvest time.

How do you store round bales for the winter?

Other options for hay stored outside – The most effective way to store dry round bales is in covered storage with proper management. If bales must be stored outside, net wrapped bales tend to be wound tighter and held together more firmly than twine wrapped bales.

Can you leave round bales in the rain?

Combustion. The far more dire consequence of leaving your round hay bales out in the rain is the possibility of combustion. The increase in moisture raises the risk of combustion, as can the presence of mould. As you’ll recall, mould produces heat, and heat plus moisture could cause the hay bale to catch on fire.

How do you protect a round bale in the rain?

Tarps and plastic covers have reduced storage losses by half. For round bales stored outdoors, using net wrap or B-wrap reduces storage losses compared to twine. Water and animal proof the storage site. Don’t stack hay under a leaky roof as it will grow moldier with each rainfall event.

Should hay be stored off the ground?

It’s also important to keep bales directly off the ground, so they don’t wick moisture, and selecting an open area away from trees for stacking bales; this will help drying following wet periods. Arrange bales in a single layer with 3-4 ft. of space between rows to help improve air circulation around the bales.

How many round bales does a horse eat per month?

Q: How many bales of hay does a horse eat per month? A horse can eat anywhere from 15-25 pounds of hay a day, which generally equates to a half of a 45/50-pound square bale of hay per day (~15-30 bales per month).

Can horses eat 2 year old hay?

If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.

How many horses does a round bale feed?

Because of the inevitable losses of nutrients, round bales exposed to the elements should be consumed in four to seven days. Depending a bit on the size of the bale (they can vary greatly in weight), four horses can usually consume a bale in this time frame.