Is it safe to store hay in a hay loft?
Hay is highly flammable, and if a bale of hay molds internally, it can build up enough heat to self combust. When that happens, fire will spread from the hayloft to the rest of the barn. It’s far safer to store your hay in a separate building away from your barn.
What is hay and how is it stored?
Hay is, simply put, grass that is cut, dried to less than twenty percent (20%) moisture, and then stored in order to keep a sustainable feed for livestock. Hay is best stored in a barn loft. Haylofts are dark, dry, and airy. This environment keeps the hay from becoming damp or bleached by the sun.
Are you “stuck with” upper level hay storage?
Property limitations may force you to have upper level hay storage in a new barn, or in an existing barn you may feel you are “stuck with it.” There are ways to help make these arrangements less of a hazard.
Do I need A Separate hay storage building?
A separate hay storage building should be constructed if at all possible, but of course, that’s the ideal situation. Property limitations may force you to have upper level hay storage in a new barn, or in an existing barn you may feel you are “stuck with it.” There are ways to help make these arrangements less of a hazard.
Why does hay go in a loft?
A hayloft is used for more permanent storage of hay. It is sheltered from the weather and where a modern-day attic would be. A struggle in any type of keeping hay is that it must be totally dry. Otherwise, when piled up in a hayloft, it will start to compost.
How do you store hay in a loft?
If your barn loft or storage area is a floor of old hay: clean it out. Do not store your hay directly on a dirt, gravel or a concrete floor. Moisture will travel up the stack and ruin the bottom layer. Lay a tarp on the ground, place pallets on top and stack the bales on the pallets.
Where is the best place to store hay?
Your hay does best in the dark, where sun can't damage it. It also does best in dry places, with lots of ventilation. That means basements are not a good place to store hay – they are dark, but typically the air flow is next to nothing. And dampness is usually a problem down there in the cellar.
How does a hay loft work?
3:075:16Farming Simulator 17 - How to Use the Hay Loft?-- Tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou put it into the loading wagon. And that makes it hay. And then. You can put that into theMoreYou put it into the loading wagon. And that makes it hay. And then. You can put that into the hayloft let me show you how that works. All right I found a little patch of grass here.
Are hay lofts safe?
Throwing hay down from a loft is going to produce a lot airborne dust just where you don't want it — floating at eye and nose level, where it can become an irritant or worse to your horse's mucous membranes. It's a real concern to consider before adding a hay loft to your barn plans. Hay loft con: Fire risk.
What is the proper way to store hay?
Keep Hay Protected The ideal solution is to keep your hay in a hay barn that has proper ventilation and does not suffer from issues such as a leaking roof. If this isn't an option, you can store your hay outside, but it is important that you keep the hay dry.
How do you keep hay dry without a barn?
The cheapest and most effective way to protect your hay without a barn is by using a simple system of a tarpaulin and pallets. Stack wooden pallets on the ground to keep the hay off the damp floor, then stack the hay on top of the pallets and cover the whole thing with a solid, heavy-duty tarpaulin.
Is it okay to store hay outside?
Store hay inside While this isn't always possible, it is the best way to keep your hay intact. “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.
Can hay be stored outside?
If hay is to be stored outside, it is desirable to locate the storage site close to the feeding area because bales become more difficult to handle as they weather. It is easier to move them a greater distance when they are new and tightly wrapped. Well-drained upland storage sites are best.
What's a hay loft?
Definition of hayloft : a loft especially for storing hay.
What is a mow in a barn?
Definition of mow (Entry 1 of 4) 1 : a piled-up stack (as of hay or fodder) also : a pile of hay or grain in a barn. 2 : the part of a barn where hay or straw is stored. mow.
What is the hayloft door called?
A hay hood extends from the very tip of the barn gable. Its purpose is to facilitate loading hay into the loft, usually via a pulley system, and to protect the hay door from exposure to the elements. A large opening in an upper gable is usually called a hay door.
Where is hay stored?
Hay is best stored in a barn loft. Haylofts are dark, dry, and airy. This environment keeps the hay from becoming damp or bleached by the sun. The design of a hayloft allows for plenty of air circulation so that the hay will not become moldy or dusty.
What are the three criteria for storing hay?
The three criteria for storing hay is that the storage place must be dark, dry and airy.
Can you store hay at home?
With any luck, you can find a creative solution to your hay storage needs. Properly storing your hay will keep your feed costs down, and if you have just a few feet of space, storing several bales at once will keep you at home with your pets instread of running to the feed store!
Can you buy more than one bale of hay?
Some hay customers will buy one bale of hay at a time for their bunnies. Many of those one-at-a-time customers have told me that they won't buy more than one bale at a time because the hay will "go bad." In truth, properly stored hay will stay fresh and nutritious for nearly a year. Those that come to the farm in January to buy "fresh" hay are surprised to learn that the hay has been in the storage barn or hayloft since July!
Can you wrap hay in plastic?
DO NOT wrap the hay tightly in a tarp. While this is dark and dry, there is no air circulation. Wrapping hay in plastic will also cause mold. One particularly good place to put hay is up on a wooden pallet in the garage or garden shed, away from the windows.
Can bunnies eat hay?
Many of our bunny friends know that feeding hay to bunnies is good for them. A lot of our bunny friends don't have a place to put those huge, horse-sized bales of hay though! Hay storage can be a huge, messy problem for the average bunny owner, so they in turn go out and buy those little bags of "Rabbit Hay" at the feed store. This gets expensive very quickly! This is also the primary reason we started making mini-bales.
Where to store hay for horses?
One precaution many horse owners take is to store hay in a building other than the main barn where horses are kept . No one wants to envision a worst-case scenario, but should hay catch fire in an exterior building, it will buy you some time to move your horses to safety.
How to keep hay from deteriorating?
Hay quality deteriorates over time, so fill your loft to make it easiest to feed older bales first before moving onto this year’s crop. Protect it from moisture, and also from rodents , whose droppings can contaminate hay. Storing hay on pallets or boards can help increase ventilation, but avoiding packing your loft to the rafters, as this will merely inhibit peak ventilation, affecting your entire barn.
Why is cured hay good for a fire?
Dry, cured hay discourages the multiplication of the microorganisms responsible for creating the heat and fermentation cycle that can lead to combustion — which is an extremely compelling reason to make hay while the sun shines.
How to make a safe hayloft?
Making sure that your hay was baled dry and cured properly is the first step in creating a safe hayloft. Proper storage can also help ensure that hay retains the most possible nutrition content, and that dry hay stays dry for ongoing fire protection.
How to test hay temperature without thermometer?
To test temperature without a thermometer, push or drive a 3/8-inch to 1-inch diameter metal rod into the hay and leave it for 10-15 minutes. If you can hold the rod in your bare hand comfortably when you remove it, the temperature is approximately below 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s uncomfortable to hold, the temperature is probably between 130-160 degrees; if it’s too hot to hold, a fire is imminent and must be addressed immediately. Call the fire department and never move overheated or smoldering hay, as this will expose it to the oxygen it needs to continue burning. Hay that has been damaged by heat, smoke or water must be removed to a safe place and disposed of.
Why do we make hay while the sun shines?
We use the expression to “make hay while the sun shines” because the sun is a key component in “curing” or “sweating” hay for safe longer-term storage.
Why stack round bales?
Be aware that stacking round bales generally traps moisture and limits drying, increasing storage losses and the likelihood of fire. Square bales should be stored inside in a place that is not susceptible to roof leaks or storm runoff (that’s why it’s usually stored off the ground in a lofted area).
How to keep hay dry?
Keep hay dry by making sure no roof leaks or water drainage problems exist and that any condensation that accumulates on the inside of the roof is minimized or channeled away from stored hay
What happens to hay when it is warm?
Molds and bacteria, which thrive under warm, moist conditions, consume many of the nutrients contained in hay, and the longer these conditions exist, the more damage is caused. In addition, weather conditions and rodents can wreak havoc on stored hay.
Why keep bales in compacted state?
Keep bales in compacted state so open hay is not exposed to air that will cause it to lose quality
How to reduce fire risk from hay?
Reduce fire risk by storing hay at proper moisture levels, which should be no more than 18%, and by stacking bales so adequate air movement and ventilation can occur
What is the best moisture content for baling alfalfa?
Timing of baling of hay is critical for maximizing its feed value Most experts maintain that the optimum moisture content for baling is in the range of 15% to 20%, especially for alfalfa because leaf loss increases as moisture decreases. If hay contains more than 20% moisture, the chances of mold increase. Also, dry matter and nutrient loss are increased and more discoloration occurs.
What temperature should bales of hay be?
If the temperature is below 140 degrees F, little danger exists. If the temperature is between 140 to 150 degrees , check bales daily. If the temperature rises above 160 degrees, move the hay from the building and spread it out to cool.
How to stack bales?
Stack bales in closely butted rows with a gap between rows. The space between rows allows for air circulation and sunlight penetration
Why is upper level hay storage preferred over stall level storage?
Upper-level hay storage with a solid floor, such as in a bank barn, is preferable to stall-level storage because heat, smoke, and flame move upward. Should a fire begin on the upper level, upward movement of the fire and its products may allow a few more minutes for evacuation of horses from the lower level.
Why is it important to protect hay from rain?
It’s important to protect the hay stack from water, either from rain entering through a barn or storage building roof or the side walls, since rain-dampened bales can allow the bacterial action to restart.
Why do you need air circulation under bales of hay?
Air circulation is needed under and around the bales to allow the hay to dry and the heat to escape. Wood floors with gaps between the boards, such as you would find on the upper level (or threshing floor) of a bank barn, usually provide adequate air circulation. If you are stacking hay outdoors, on the ground, stack the bales on wood pallets or old tires so air can circulate and the hay will not be in contact with ground moisture.
How long does it take for hay to burn?
The hay becomes damaged and can then readily combine with oxygen, resulting in a fire. This first six weeks after harvesting is the most common time for hay fires, but hay that has been stored for some time, even if it was baled at the proper moisture percentage, can become a fire hazard if it becomes wet.
How far apart should a hay barn be?
If you have the space, a 100-foot separation is ideal. This provides protection for other buildings from wind conditions and heat radiation in the event of a fire. With a 20 mph wind, sparks can be carried some distance, such as what happens in wildfires where the flames jump fire lines. Heat radiation is another way fires spread, and 50-100 feet is not a great distance where radiation is involved. The heat can be great enough to dry out adjacent structures and allow them to ignite. So, if you can afford a separate hay barn, don’t build it too close to your other buildings because if it’s too close you risk losing your other buildings as well.
What temperature should hay be when harvested?
Ideally, when hay is harvested and baled, its moisture content should be 20% or less. If the moisture is greater than 20%, warm-temperature bacteria will grow and multiply, releasing more heat until the interior bale temperature reaches between 130-140°F.
How to check hay temperature?
You can make a simple temperature probe using a 10’ piece of 3/4” diameter pipe. Drill some holes in the pipe around three inches from one end and flatten the pipe to make a point for inserting between the bales. You want to check the temperature in the middle of the stack, and one of the easiest ways to do that is from the top, but you must not walk directly on the stacked hay because there may be burned-out pockets beneath you. Walk on boards or a ladder to spread your weight evenly so you don’t end up falling into a burned-out void. You should also be wearing a lifeline just in case.
How to store horse hay?
However, if you have no other option, it’s possible to keep hay stored like this as long as you’re careful how you stack it. Round bales should lie on their side so that rainwater will run off instead of soaking in, and should be stacked closely together to protect the ends. They should be placed in a flat, open area with easy access to the stables and fields, and a firebreak should be made all around them, either by burning a section of grass or by clearing it away to make a non-flammable area wide enough to stop a blaze from coming in – or out.
How to keep hay from getting damp?
The cheapest and most effective way to protect your hay without a barn is by using a simple system of a tarpaulin and pallets. Stack wooden pallets on the ground to keep the hay off the damp floor, then stack the hay on top of the pallets and cover the whole thing with a solid, heavy-duty tarpaulin. Finally, ensure that the hay storage area is secure and that horses and other animals can’t get in and raid it. Electric fencing, preferably specially designed horse tape, is your safest bet.
Why is hay bad for horses?
There’s a reason why many owners keep their hay safe and snug inside a barn. There are a variety of environmental factors that can have a negative impact on your hay, causing it to lose its nutritional value and palatability or even to become dangerous to your horse.
What are the dangers of hay?
fire extinguisher. Another risk when it comes to hay is the presence of snakes. Depending on your area, poisonous snakes may be common, and you’ll want to deter these from being near humans, dogs, and horses. Rodents love making their nests in stacks of hay, and where rodents go, snakes will go in search of them.
Is hay flammable in barns?
Hay is one of the most dramatically flammable substances present at a stableyard. It catches like kindling and burns hot and for long, which is why only very old barns now have hay stored in a loft. Many horses and people were injured and killed in barn fires that started in airless hay lofts. Any large storage area of stacked hay is still ...
Do horses eat hay?
All horses eat hay, but not all horse owners have the luxury of a spacious barn in which to keep said hay. Especially for owners of multiple horses, or owners who order large amounts of hay in advance, hay storage can become an expensive problem.
Can you buy hay in a barn?
Unless you have a barn, it’s best to buy hay as you need it, provided that you’re sure your supplier will have hay all winter long. There’s much to be said for the peace of mind of having your whole hay supply at your fingertips, but it’s not possible for everyone.
