Haylage differences

H

Hokuspokus

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 April 2014
Messages
62
Visit site
I'm fairly new to using haylage , I've had my gelding for 10years but have always used hay. For a few reasons , mainly hay being bad quality , I decided to change to haylage. Yard bought large round bales in and we all used that. I used to fill two nets each of about 5kg in them to do him overnight(turned out during the day) The haylage was very strong smelling and sometimes 'damp' as such. I then moved yards and they cut and bale their own hay and small bales of haylage. I've stuck with haylage , but I've noticed their haylage seems very dry . It smells lovely when you open it , and it is compressed into small sections. The thing I can't work out it this - I have being giving him one Haynet of 5kgs to do him overnight and it feels heavier than the 10kgs of nets he was getting at the other yard?! Would it maybe be due to the compaction of this lot and the wetness of the last lot? He's certainly not losing any weight which is great, however I do feel a bit bad given him effectively what is half of what he was used to! Can anyone shed any light ? Also , does anyone feed a haylage and hay mix? Thank you
 
It sounds as if you are guessing at the weight based on the size the nets can hold rather than weighing them, 10kgs is 10kgs so 5kgs cannot be heavier just less bulky, I don't weigh my nets but I do try and give the horses enough to last them through the night, if they eat it all I give more unless I am trying to get weight off.
Haylage should smell pleasant, a bit sweet not strong or sour, it will vary as to how wet or dry it is depending on how it was made, I prefer it to be fairly dry as I think it is less likely to go off or upset their tummies, I mix hay and haylage for some and also when I introduce it for the first time.
 
be positive said:
It sounds as if you are guessing at the weight based on the size the nets can hold rather than weighing them, 10kgs is 10kgs so 5kgs cannot be heavier just less bulky, I don't weigh my nets but I do try and give the horses enough to last them through the night, if they eat it all I give more unless I am trying to get weight off.
Haylage should smell pleasant, a bit sweet not strong or sour, it will vary as to how wet or dry it is depending on how it was made, I prefer it to be fairly dry as I think it is less likely to go off or upset their tummies, I mix hay and haylage for some and also when I introduce it for the first time.
Click to expand...

Thanks, it's weighed religiously- which is why I knew both nets had 5kg, and now he has 5kg on its own. He always has a little but left over in the morning so that's a good thing. I just couldn't understand why he had more at last yard but it didn't seem as much, the only thing I can think is that's it was wet which made it heavier. It was a rather sickly smell, I only noticed once I had came home and had the smell of it on my clothes. These small bales smell lush, I would eat them myself !
 
As above 5kgs is 5 kgs BUT before he was eating part grass part water he is now getting much more dry matter. It will take longer to chew and will be much better for him though he will drink more water. Also yes you can feed a bit of both hay and haylage again it is good for them to have a variety.
 
Thanks for your replies. I think I'll try a mix and see how that goes too. Luckily we have automatic waterers at this yard, otherwise I'd be worrying about that too!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top