hay hutch?

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noodle_

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or ideally a cheaper similar version!

need something to put hay in over winter for my horses (they live out)


I dont want to just dump the h fiel as the field will be a mess in 0.2 seconds! and the will eat it wayyy to quickily


no-where to attatch things hencewhy im thinkinghay hutch?


suggestions please?

im NOT creative..so anything to make please keep it simple!! :D
 
I really want a couple but as you say, the price is pretty high.

I wondered about the tall round compost bins - could they be adapted to work? Although I'm guessing they would need to be strapped to something to stay upright (well, they would for my lot anyway :D)
 
yeah same - i havea youngster who loves puttting her hoofes in her feed bucket... :D so wary bout what i put in the field!!


Iveseen wheelie bins - but again they need attatching to something.... dont want todo that tbh.... or could very easily!
 
Solway recycling do their own version the Hay Saver but I am not sure how the sizes and costs compare

I saw a post on here a while back where someone made one out of a wheelie bin which looked brilliant. I dare say a compost bin would work if put on a solid base (plywood maybe?)
 
I bought two of these last winter for the sand turnout. I used to tie haynets up but due to a couple of the horses chewing the fencing, had to electrify it. The hay hutches are good and solid and so far have not blown over. You still get quite a bit of mess as the horses can pull large mouthfuls out of the holes, but over all I am pleased with them.
 
I am sure that I have seen a photo on here where someone has cut a hole at the base of a wheely bin and, presumably, just puts the hay ration in the bin. Ties the bin to a post or something and there you go.

The only thing it requires is a wheely bin and a tool to cut the hole. :)
 
I have two and find them useful especially in that you can easily move them so the one area is not getting poached. My welshie can get the lids off though. We put some wood in the bottom to stop them blowing away as we live in a very windy spot. Overall they are probably worth it if you have nowhere to hang haynets and lot quicker to fill than haynets as well.
 
thanks for the replies^


i cant tie (and wont even if i could) tie things to fences etc.... etc and would prefer a grund feeder




i was going to use a big green box (think b andq type) and put a bale of hay in etc... (minus lid ofc...)


but is not restrictive enough for my two - one incredibly greedy!! :D
 
Wagtail said:
I bought two of these last winter for the sand turnout. I used to tie haynets up but due to a couple of the horses chewing the fencing, had to electrify it. The hay hutches are good and solid and so far have not blown over. You still get quite a bit of mess as the horses can pull large mouthfuls out of the holes, but over all I am pleased with them.
Click to expand...

Agree with the above. I have two and while not perfect, on balance they make winter life much easier and are well made and strong enough to do the job - I think you could spend quite a lot of money trying to do a cheaper version and find that it has major design flaws! I have the large version which works for us.
 
thanks

how much hay do you need to put in the large one and how long does it last (no how many horses?)!

im looking at the medium one..........they said they need to be assembled which worries me :o
 
noodle_ said:
thanks

how much hay do you need to put in the large one and how long does it last (no how many horses?)!

im looking at the medium one..........they said they need to be assembled which worries me :o
Click to expand...

They sent me two medium ones. One was all in one piece and the other needed the bottom bolting on but it was easy peasy. :)

I use large bale haylage and you get enough in one to last three horses the day if you pack it in well. However, my fatties are rationed and so I put just the amount they need in it otherwise they would gobble the lot and start to look pregnant.
 
My hubby made a box from old pallets, one for the bottom, two cut in half making the four sides. OK when its dry but hay spoiled in wet so bought a large compost bin, removed the bottom door and fill from the top. Archie eats from the bottom. FAB.
 
Thanks all

thinking about investing in one - im too thick to make anything!!


I have two horses to feed , one who needs a constant trickle because of ulcers - other us a youngster...

they get as much hay as they need (both seemingly good do-ers however)!, which woul you all reccomend? medium or large?

they are out 24.7 and sometimes i can only get to the yard once a day (normally twice) - so have to account for this!

they also get hard feed/snack balls and some likits/hay blocks too from simple systems!

thanks :)
 
I use very large, round water tanks. They don't have lids, but I can put enough hay for 24 hours for two horses in them. If I need to slow down eating then I just tip a very large Shires haynet into them, otherwise just loose hay. Wastage is minimal and the best bit is I bought 3 tanks for the cost of a hay hutch. A few house bricks in the bottom to stop them blowing in our very windy site and no other modification needed. They are now coming into their 3rd winter and have used year round. Try building and plumbing suppliers.
 
^^ any pics please?

i have a bath like tub from b and q....i was going to use that or get a green b and q box (minus lid) and use that??


i just need to slow them both down eating hay - thats the main thing! :D
 
What I use won't slow down the horses eating,but was free!
My farmer neighbour delivered some big,old tractor tyres. They are brilliant,as the hay largely stays put,and as they are so big,the horses can't really bully each other,as there is room to manoevre all round. They also hold loads of hay,say the biggest part of a small bale. You do need to clean the rims out,as the horses can't reach right in them,but that aside,they are maintenence free too.
 
thanks ^ they sound fab (spesh the free bit!) but i definately need something to stop gorging - as my mare is a total PITA when it comes to hay - she loves it more than grass!! :D
 
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