How much space does 100 bales of hay take up?

How much space does 100 bales of hay take up?

An 1,100-pound horse eating 1.5 percent to 2.0 percent of its body weight per day in hay would eat 16.5 to 22.0 pounds per day, or in one year about 3 to 4 tons (100-120 bales of hay). Four tons of hay require 1,000 cubic feet of space or a storage area roughly 9 feet high and 11 feet x 11 feet (9′ x 11′ x 11′).

How long do hay bales last outside?

You can store hay indefinitely if the stack is managed correctly; although, in humid climates, using hay within three years of harvest is ideal. Hay growers need to bale it at correct moisture levels because if it's baled too damp the hay will generate heat, which leads to molding.

How big of a hay barn do I need?

As a general rule, she suggested that square bales will need a footprint of 10 to 15 square feet for every ton of hay, and for round bales, 16 to 24 square feet will be required for every ton stored.

What is the best way to store hay outside?

The best option for storage is covering hay bales with tarps, which will help to prevent losses on hay stored outside." is key, says Hernandez. "Good ventilation is needed during the first 1-3 weeks after baling to eliminate moisture quickly as it exits the stack," she says.

What do I do if my hay bales get wet?

The wet bales may be carted in last if reasonably dry, but should be stacked to allow air to move through, around, and over the top of the stack to allow any heat generated by wet bales to escape and prevent needless heat build up.

How do you protect hay from rain?

Use net wrap or plastic twine spaced no more than 4 in. apart on round bales to maintain bale shape and provide a smooth surface that encourages water runoff.” Anderson recommends storing hay on elevated, well-drained spots that will prevent the bales from soaking up moisture from wet soil or standing water.

How many square bales are in a 5×5 round bale?

For example, if the round bale weighs 1,000 pounds, then it equals 20 of your 50-pound small square bales. If the large round-bale weighs 1,200 pounds and the small square bales weigh 40 pounds, then one large round hay bale would be equal to 30 small square bales.

Can you leave hay outside?

“Uncovered hay bales stored outside on the ground can result in high hay dry matter (DM) losses that could range from 5-20%," Hernandez says. The best option for storage is covering hay bales with tarps, which will help to prevent losses on hay stored outside."

Does hay need to be covered?

Hay producers across the country are increasingly aware of the need to protect their alfalfa production from weather damage. The main goals when covering your hay piles are to dry the hay and prevent dry matter losses. A hay barn or commodity shed is considered to be a consistent highly effective method of storing hay.

What size hay tarp do I need?

Standard hay tarp lengths are 48 or 52 feet, but with the custom fabrication capabilities at BTL, hay tarp sizes can be created to the exact specifications you need. When measuring for the length of your hay tarps allow at least four feet (two feet on each side) of overhang to protect each end of your stacks.

Do round bales need to be covered?

If possible, cover bales to protect the top and sides. In this case, it's better to stack bales. A single bale can require as much as 63 square feet to cover its top. In university studies, round bales that were both covered and elevated suffered about the same amount of dry matter loss as bales stored “under roof.”

Can round bales be left outside?

Storing round bales outside in long rows with ends butted against each other is still a common storage method, says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension forage specialist. “It's better than just a row of bales, but it's not good,” Buckmaster says.

How do you store hay?

Use a minimum of three feet between bale rows for air circulation, and always place bale rows going north to south. Avoid storing bales under trees and in the shade of buildings. If space is available, store some bales inside, especially higher quality hay that should be used near the end of the feeding period.

Can round bales get wet?

Although the outer edges of the stack will get wet, their internals should remain relatively dry, unless the rain is gentle and persistent. Round bales, if tightly baled and netwrapped, will shed much of the rain. They shed rain more effectively than string tied bales, reducing dry matter losses by about 10 per cent.

How do you keep round bales from molding?

Stack the bottom layer of bales on their sides, with the strings facing sideways instead of up. The uneven surface allows better air circulation and helps prevent mold from growing. Stack the second layer with the strings facing up, all pointing in the same direction.

How long does it take for a horse to eat a round bale?

It would be best to place the large round bale in a covered feeder or inside a lean‐to to reduce waste from the environment when feeding only a few horses from a round bale. Ideally a large round bale would be consumed within seven days.

How do you stack round bales in a barn?

Keep bales out of shaded areas so the bales get full sun, and leave a space between rows so that water has a place to go. Always place round bales end-to-end, and never let the sides of the bales touch.

How do you feed round bales?

Round bales are described as bale width by bale diameter, or bale height. For example, a 5 x 6 bale would be 5 feet wide and 6 feet in diameter, and a 4 x 5 bale would be 4 feet wide and 5 feet in diameter. Density matters.