Hay Storage

How to Get the Best Hay Storage Results Keywords: hay storage The use of hay bales has grown to become an effective way of providing nutrition for farm livestock or horses. Harvested hay bales are generally stored indoors in a haymow. Animals are then fed from this. Once hay has been harvested, it is important that they be stored carefully. Poor hay storage will encourage the growth of mildew and mold which can in turn negatively affect the health of animals Storing hay improperly will also leave it exposed to unpleasant elements such as the weather and pests. A few of the things which you therefore need to be careful about includes o Good Ventilation: If you are using a barn for your hay storage then it is important to ensure that the barn receives sufficient air flow. This will prevent the hay from heating up too much and then decomposing. For good measure, hay bales should be separated into rows with enough space between for air flow.

Keep them dry: Exposing stored hay to water will not keep it fresh and safe. In order to secure the best hay storage conditions, it is important that you take steps towards keeping them away from water. To this end you should always keep an eye out for possible leaks in the roof of your barn. You will need to also ensure that condensation does not build up within the walls of the barn. Finally, hay bales should be elevated from the ground so that they are protected from ground moisture. Using wooden pallets is a simple but effective way of achieving this.

o Protect them from Pests: It's not only horses that enjoy a lazy nibble on hay. Rodents such as rats and mice do as well. Your hay storage facility should therefore be equipped to properly handle this threat. Aside from elevating your hay bales from the ground, keep an eye out for possible holes through which rodents might enter your barn. Alternatively, you could invest in pets like cats as a deterrent option.

o Use effective hay storage techniques: A common mistake most people make is leaving older hay bales for too long. In order to avoid this, older bales should always be moved to the front or kept within easily accessible range at all times. Using up the older bales before fresher supplies is a simple way of preventing unnecessary wastage. Hay bales should also be left untouched for as long as they are not in use. Exposing broken bales to air will cause them to lose their quality very quickly. For the best results in safety and long term preservation, hay bales will need to be stored carefully. The use of a barn offers an effective solution to this need. Today, there are a number of contractors who can be approached for barn construction. A particularly skilled contractor to consider is FCP building. The construction company has been building barns for more than thirty years and possesses a stellar record for quality service. For more information on the type of barns available to you, visit http://www.fcpbuildings.com.