Anyone feeding big bale haylage yet?

[meesha]

If this weather continues they will be shut in at night soon (2 on adlib haylage when in) Small bale is easier but soo much more expensive and I have to go to collect but I am worried it's still too warm for big bale (stored in barn, fed in shelter).

Will order 2 big bales in soon but has anyone unwrapped and started using one yet and if so how long did it last? Ie did it heat up?

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

I had a medium sized bale (around 130kgs) I opened early Oct and it took me nearly 2 weeks to get through and remained fine till the end. I did open it all up to the air about 3/4 of the way through though. In the spring (April) the same size bale was heating after 5/6 days.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I've had one big bale recently and most of it was burnt. You really need lower temperatures than we have at present unless you are feeding several horses.

 

[nutjob]

I've had one last week, on my second this week. They,ve been OK but only last a few days as I've got 3 large horses to feed.

 

[St Nicnaclaus]

Been using it for over a month. Slice a day in field and hay nets when out which is 3-4 times a week. It's going a good week without issues.

 

[meesha]

Thanks all, confirms what I thought, probably depends on how wet the haylage is and how quick you can get through it.

I will try and hold out another week if not a couple of weeks

 

[kathantoinette]

Yes, I’m on my 4th bale. I open it fully to let the air around the bale. I’ve got two 15hh horses and one small Welsh eating 3 flaps (East Yorkshire no slices here!) a day with very minimal grass in the paddock for them to eat.
Eta a bale lasts me approx 7 days.