Ad lib steamed hay Q

[poiuytrewq]

This week trying to soak hay has been a bit tough and I’m seriously considering a steamer instead.
Ive used a Haygain regularly, we had one at work. We only gave a slice of hay at a time though so it was always gone in an hour or so.
My own horses have a huge net to last all night or all day in the field.
My question is if I put it in at 5pm say, how long does it stay steamed and not revert to dry and cough inducing!
currently wet hay left overs are still wet and safe to eat by 6.30am when I give breakfasts.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If allowed to, steamed hay will dry out quite quickly, but IIRC the levels of contamination will still stay vastly reduced for 24 hours post steaming, even when dry.

I find compressing freshly steamed hay in a hay net, rather than feeding it loose, helps it to stay damp longer. Relevant atm in these freezing conditions as I want the neds to take in all the water that they can.

 

[doodle]

I had just started soaking Robins hay. I stopped due to the temp as I was worried the hay would just freeze which can’t be nice. Does steamed hay dry out or would it freeze also? Someone did still soak hay and the net froze so she couldn’t undo it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thank you. So in theory even dried out it shouldn’t make him cough all night. That’s perfect!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I had just started soaking Robins hay. I stopped due to the temp as I was worried the hay would just freeze which can’t be nice. Does steamed hay dry out or would it freeze also? Someone did still soak hay and the net froze so she couldn’t undo it.

? no my nets from last night are still hanging up as the knots are frozen solid! Such a faff

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sorry In response to the steamed hay freezing, it won’t be anywhere near as bad no. The water content is far less. I am currently soaking minimally and by the time it’s drained it’s going crispy. ? I can’t feed dry though so hay icicles it is

 

[Tiddlypom]

A haynet freshly filled with steamed hay will not freeze solid like soaked hay does. I used to soak hay before I got the steamer.

I’ve had to bring the steamer bin inside overnight, though, ‘cos it was freezing up overnight. Then it runs fine back outside when I take it out in the morning.

Makes the downstairs shower room a bit whiffy, though .

 

[poiuytrewq]

A haynet freshly filled with steamed hay will not freeze solid like soaked hay does. I used to soak hay before I got the steamer.

I’ve had to bring the steamer bin inside overnight, though, ‘cos it was freezing up overnight. Then it runs fine back outside when I take it out in the morning.

Maies the downstairs shower room a bit whiffy, though .

Can beat that. Last winter I tried (- and failed) to soak haynets in the downstairs shower! One of my very much stupider ideas.
Im looking at the 600 but have just seen a whole bale box minus the steamer locally for £80. I’ve messaged Haygain to get a price for the steam unit for it.

 

[wildandwoolly]

Can beat that. Last winter I tried (- and failed) to soak haynets in the downstairs shower! One of my very much stupider ideas.
Im looking at the 600 but have just seen a whole bale box minus the steamer locally for £80. I’ve messaged Haygain to get a price for the steam unit for it.

The steamer unit died on mine and I replaced it with a wall paper steamer from Wickes, about £34 from memory so vastly cheaper than a Haygain one. I do use a timer on it now as I think accidentally letting it boil dry is what killed my old one.

 

[hobo]

I have found that steamed hay is good for up to 48hrs and does not cause any coughing. It is not the wet that stops the spores the high temp steaming kills them.

 

[Meredith]

The steamer unit died on mine and I replaced it with a wall paper steamer from Wickes, about £34 from memory so vastly cheaper than a Haygain one. I do use a timer on it now as I think accidentally letting it boil dry is what killed my old one.

Use one similar to this. They last much longer and if they break you can get parts to repair them.
It is very important to use a timer in case the cut out doesn’t work, or there isn’t one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40199334...EsqvlZLq7LEMhBM5gfAyN-zyUtmS0LpgaAkRaEALw_wcB

 

[Sealine]

I've heard you can make a hay steamer from a wallpaper steamer and a wheelie bin but livery yard owner won't allow any liveries to use any sort of hay steamer I usually soak hay for 20 mins but when we have a really cold spell, as we did last week, I switch to haylage temporarily.