Haylage bales having holes in...

[JackDaniels1]

I had some haylage delivered last night (they were 2.5 hours late delivering so it was dark by the time they got here). Having looked at the bales in day light today, most have holes in them. One has a bigish hole and the others have small holes. Should I just try and tape the holes up or will it of already started going off? Also, the bale I have opened today I had too because it did have a massive hole in but they told me that when they arrived but it is mouldy in places (as in white!) and very wet.

I haven't had haylage before so if anyone could shed some light that would be great!!

Cheers.

 

[LadyRascasse]

right the white mould is fine that is what makes it haylage. if its black mould don't use it. being wet is also fine as long as it doesn't have black mould. however i wouldn't accept bales that had massive holes in them as there is no way i would be able to use x amount of bales in a week. and they should be used within 7 days of being open.

 

[JackDaniels1]

Thank you, wasn't sure re the white mould. Will tape the holes up on others - they're not massive. Cheers.

 

[wizbit]

if ours get holes in the farmer patches them up with stickers with really cool smiley faces on! sorry! not much help, but i find them cute!

 

[Shay]

It you can return them then do. Haylage ferments when exposed to air. You have no way to know how the holes were made or when. By the time you come to open the bales you may find they've gone off inside the wrapping and it is too late to return them.

Don't feed anything with black mold on, slimy or smelly. If the bale is hot when you push your hand in thats a fair indication that all is not right. (or its been standing in the sun!). Ideally it should smell sweet and very slightly alcholic. But haylage the has lost its sweet smell is starting to turn.

Persoanlly I don't like to take chances with my haylage. The bag is sealed or it goes back!

 

[Puppy]

It you can return them then do. Haylage ferments when exposed to air. You have no way to know how the holes were made or when. By the time you come to open the bales you may find they've gone off inside the wrapping and it is too late to return them.

Ditto this. I would be very unimpressed with being delivered a load of haylage that could potentially all be ruined.

 

[LaurenM]

Ditto this. I would be very unimpressed with being delivered a load of haylage that could potentially all be ruined.

I agree with the above. Who knows how long they've had holes in them?

 

[breezing]

Having nursed a pony through botulism last year I will only use absolutely perfect haylege it only takes a small amount to make them ill and is an awful thing to see ,I was very lucky my pony survived ,many dont .

 

[JackDaniels1]

Would you phone them up and say they've got holes in?

 

[JamesEarwaker]

Most probably used a bale spike for loading instead of a bale grab, when they get holes in they get tapped up straight away as the hole process is keeping the bale air tight, no good with holes in!!!

 

[only_me]

I would never feed my horse haylege that is covered in white mould.

Botulism is deadly, and never risk it - open the bale, if it is mouldy send it back if it is fine then tape the holes!

 

[JackDaniels1]

Yes they did use a bale spike (they told me that when they came) but they have taped them up at the end where they were spiked. These holes I am talking about are different holes.

 

[MrsElle]

Where did you get them from L? I am looking for some, a couple of bales should do me. If you don't want to bother sending the ones you have back but won't be able to use them before they go off let me know, I'll buy them off you and send OH down with the van!