Hay Hutch alternatives...ideas most welcome

[bumper]

I'm looking for inventive ideas as to how to feed hay in a field please! Awaiting construction of a field shelter, I'm wasting a lot of hay in these winds, and don't particularly fancy paying a lot of money for one of those "Hay Hutch" things, as they would only be needed short-term. It's to feed one horse, so doesn't need to be big...enough for a small bale would be fine. There is currently nowhere to hang nets (leccy fencing with wooden posts/leccy fencing posts), and the available trees are cordoned off as the hardcore for the field shelter has been put down near them.
Anyone constructed a useful device? Could I do something with a plastic bin?? (I can't work out how to fix one sturdily)

Ideas welcome

 

[zangels]

We use a compost bin, it works well as the lid keeps the haylage dry and the horses can pull it out the bottom. We tie it to a fence post to stop it falling over.

 

[Spottyappy]

Big tractor tyres. You need several and land can get abit poached as they're nor easy to move, but bar any hay the horses pull out it stays put in the highest of winds.

 

[bumper]

Ooh both great ideas! I cannot tie a bin to a fencepost as they are all running leccy wires, but we COULD bang one in I guess. Tractor tyre also a good option!!
Thanks xx

ETA Spottyappy...it's for a spotty appy!!

 

[lelly]

Buy a wheelie bin and cut a hole at the bottom front. I also fasten the lid down after filling. You will need to knock two fence posts in the ground to fasten it to. Works a treat you can nearly fit a whole bale in the medium sized bins.

 

[bumper]

That sounds good also. I did find this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/300-LITRE-C..._sbs_lp_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=03WCV6VPPX8FD0K3PQBH
....but not big enough.

 

[lelly]

I bought a composter the same but it was too flimsy for my wrecker of a horse.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Beware using tractor tyres as horses do get stuck in them and small ponies and foals have died due to this.

 

[Spottyappy]

ETA Spottyappy...it's for a spotty appy!![/QUOTE]
Yep, only I lost the homebred Appy 2 years ago.sadly.
We haven't got *****lands now! but had 2 and had no issues with them and the tyres. They were standards not minis.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

The grey was rescued, but sadly the other two had died.

 

[bumper]

OMG!!! Thanks Faracat for the advice...won't be using that idea then!

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

We've used tile crates and converted them to make them safe for equine use.

 

[bumper]

Buy a wheelie bin and cut a hole at the bottom front. I also fasten the lid down after filling. You will need to knock two fence posts in the ground to fasten it to. Works a treat you can nearly fit a whole bale in the medium sized bins.

lelly I was wondering how you fasten the bin to the posts: we have now bought a wheelie bin, but not sure how to fix it!
Thanks

 

[katherine1975]

We use big blue plastic barrels and saw the tops off. Make a hole near the top and tie them to the fence. There is still some wasteage where they pull the hay out but it's not too bad.

 

[lelly]

lelly I was wondering how you fasten the bin to the posts: we have now bought a wheelie bin, but not sure how to fix it!
Thanks

We use rope from the handles and some from the wheels. Make sure your horse can't get his feet in it anywhere.

 

[bumper]

We use big blue plastic barrels and saw the tops off. Make a hole near the top and tie them to the fence. There is still some wasteage where they pull the hay out but it's not too bad.

I've been trying to source some of those, but can't find ANY locally (Cornwall)

 

[bumper]

We use rope from the handles and some from the wheels. Make sure your horse can't get his feet in it anywhere.

Ah ok thanks!

 

[Leo Walker]

Elastic cable things with hooks on the end, think they are used to strap things down on bikes?! I bought mine in Asda, got 3 for about £2

 

[katherine1975]

Hi Bumper. I asked for the barrels on facebook and someone locally had them. Try local farmers and they are on eBay sometimes, ours came from a goat milking farm.