Hay this years

[helencharlie]

How soon after baling can you feed this years hay? Does it need a period of rest before feeding?

 

[abbieandfiona]

Ive always left it at least a month before i use, normally i dont start my new hay until Oct time as i have always had old hay left.

 

[martlin]

I feed straight from the field.

 

[Doris68]

I always keep at least 15 bales back "just in case", so have never had to the need to feed new hay immediately after cutting. However, I believe that they do this as a matter of course in "Europe".

I think new hay could prove a little "rich" if not left for a couple of months, but I'm not sure if it would cause any harm, as others have had no probs.

PS My old mare has had a lovely 5 mins today being hand "grazed" on the (ex) hay field, picking up the gleanings!!

 

[Mike007]

There is no intrinsic problem with feeding new hay,however you must give the gut flora(bugs in tummy)time to adapt and adjust. !0 to 15 days of gradual introduction will do. Incidentaly it is a lot easier if they are transfering from fresh grass to new hay than from old hay.

 

[Magicmadge]

I have had to start feeding new hay as my grazing is terrible with having had no rain for weeks here. Although the hay is less green with the very hot weather it turned quickly on the ground before being baled. Mine are fine on it.