Hay feeder

[benson21]

has anyone used a hay feeder in the field over winter? I dont really like tying haynet to the fence, and was thinking about a hay hutch. What are your experiences?

 

[YasandCrystal]

This recent thread may help

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=567252&highlight=feeders

 

[zenasman]

I've used a hay hutch for several winters now and I think it's brilliant. The lid means the hay doesn't get wet from rain or snow, the multiple feeding holes mean that two (or more) horses can happily share it, the hay doesn't get blown away in the wind, horses feed from it in a natural position unlike with haynets, it's much quicker to fill (from a builders' sack) than stuffing and hanging several haynets, and you can easily move it about if the ground is getting poached. A hayhutch isn't cheap but I think it's well worth it.

 

[Linz29]

What kind of price are we talking for a hay hutch? Does it hold a big round bale?

 

[SmartieBean09]

Hay hutch are currently running a comp to win a hutch on their website. I've just entered as would love one!

 

[zenasman]

The hay hutch costs about £200 thereabouts - best to buy the heavy duty plastic even though a bit dearer. Check out their website for exact price. I wouldn't put a round bale into it because a bale would be too heavy to lift into it and it would supply too much hay in one go; not sure if your bale would fit inside the hutch.