Haygain users - haynets

[Beachball]

I have a haygain 600 - old shape. I’ve recently got large bales of hay and find I can do one section per steam but need to really loosen the section by shaking the hay to get it to steam all the way through which makes it messy to get out of the steamer so I’m considering getting a haynet just to transport hay from my barn to the stable as my horses eat from the floor. Looking on haygains website the nets are over £20 for a large one. Does anybody steam hay in a normal net or will they melt/shrink?

 

[TPO]

I just used normal nets and didn't have any issues.

Just be careful if the nets have metal rings because they get very hot!

 

[Beachball]

I just used normal nets and didn't have any issues.

Just be careful if the nets have metal rings because they get very hot!

Ah thank you! I will try that. I hate having to constantly sweep up the dropped hay around it but loathed the thought of having to pay a lot for a haynet!

 

[poiuytrewq]

This is really interesting, I’ve never known anyone who didn’t use small bales in a steamer. We have big bales and I wanted to get a steamer but was worried about how much loose hay I’d be able to fit in, and was it worth the hassle.
When you say you can fit a slice in is that a 4 or 6 string bale?
If it’s not shaken up a bit does it still steam through or not really?

 

[hobo]

I have the older style haygain and manage just fine with large bales. If I wanted I could probably get nearly two slices of a 4 string bale. there is no need to fluff it up it all gets steamed through. I do it loose as I find hay nets start to shrivel after a short while. I was lucky when I got mine you could choose a free gift they recommended the large haybag that they have for after the hay is steamed which is great if you just want to take it out of the steamer to put loose in the stable . It can be used to take some steamed hay to a show it is huge and could be used to get rid of an unwanted body if you needed to!!

 

[Beachball]

This is really interesting, I’ve never known anyone who didn’t use small bales in a steamer. We have big bales and I wanted to get a steamer but was worried about how much loose hay I’d be able to fit in, and was it worth the hassle.
When you say you can fit a slice in is that a 4 or 6 string bale?
If it’s not shaken up a bit does it still steam through or not really?

A 4 string. Tbh it’s so much easier with the smaller bales.
I do really dampen it down with a watering can with the sprinkler attachment on it. I purchased 2 big bales and they are a bit dustier anyway but it works well enough.
When you see the colour of the water that comes out of the drip tray underneath it makes you realise it’s a good buy!
I’ve always preferred feeding haylage but I only have 2 and it’s just not cost effective buying tiny bales of haylage so the hay steamer is worth it.

 

[pistolpete]

Ugh hot damp hay! Don’t use a steamer anymore but remember it well! Netting first is genius! We used to do a whole small bale and then just spread on the floor.

 

[Beachball]

Ugh hot damp hay! Don’t use a steamer anymore but remember it well! Netting first is genius! We used to do a whole small bale and then just spread on the floor.

You’ve got to love the smell though! It’s so lovely. Yeah hot hay in hot weather isn’t great but hot hay in winter is lovely.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

A fellow livery uses a net, but they appear to be the ones from Haygain. We have large round bales here and she has to fluff up the hay a bit prior to putting it in the net. Seems to work well though.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

You’ve got to love the smell though! It’s so lovely. Yeah hot hay in hot weather isn’t great but hot hay in winter is lovely.

The smell has grown on me and I do stand near the steamer in the winter to warm my hands a bit ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think it smells amazing! Used to remind me of Christmas for some reason.

 

[pistolpete]

You’ve got to love the smell though! It’s so lovely. Yeah hot hay in hot weather isn’t great but hot hay in winter is lovely.

Does smell gorgeous but prefer haylage!