Haylage questions

CanteringCarrot

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I have a few questions about haylage that I think I know the answer to, but would like some input.

The yard has recently begun using haylage again for a few horses (hay is always available) and I could use it too for my horse with a dust allergy. Sometimes he's alright with some dry hay and some wet hay (doesn't have to be soaked, just spayed with the hose). He's had haylage on and off over the years.

This haylage looks good, there's no bad smells or strange colors. It's quite dry for haylage, but still just a bit damp. When a bale is opened it can sometimes take 7 to 10 days before it's finished. Is this too long? Should I not feed it after 1 week or so?

They generally pick up 2 bales from a local farmer, and often use a tractor attachment with spears (cannot recall the name in English), so then two holes are poked through the plastic. The bale that is not opened right away then sits for almost 2 weeks like this, and then is fed. Still looks and smells fine, a bit dry, but I think that was just a result of the harvest/baling. So, should I feed of of this bale?

I always thought you had to open haylage and use it in less than a week. However, no horses at the yard have had any illness from this haylage when fed beyond a week and when the bale has been opened for awhile.

It would be more convenient to grab a wheelbarrow full of haylage instead of this watering nonsense, but I would think it's not worth the risk, right?

Am I missing something, or is this not ok?
 
I've always found 10 days fine but I would be very concerned about using the one which has been spiked if the hole wasn't covered over immediately, and maybe not even then. I'm not precious about feeding mouldy white or blue haylage, but spiking dirt right into the heart of a bale and maybe using that bit up to 20 days later would be a no for me.
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Depends how much like hay it is when baled and wrapped. I am happy feeding it if it looks and smells ok. If dry and hay like using a bale spike will not affect it the same as if it was wetter and more silage like. The wetter it is the quicker it goes off.
 
A lot depends on the weather, warm spring days can turn haylage a lot quicker than temps below 10 degrees. I feed eurobale size haylage (125-150kg) to one horse, as long as the bale is stripped completely of plastic it lasts until I get to the bottom which is usually a fortnight.

I think it's a bit silly for your yard to use bale spikes on haylage though, these are for hay or straw bales. The horses will know what's not edible.
 
I feed small bale haylage, but only a small slice a day while the main haynet drains and a bale lasts me 7 days. I've never had an issue with it spoiling in that time, even in summer. I'd be wary of the spiked bale though.
 
I use the big square bales of haylage, the four string type, for one 14hh cob. I open one end, cut the strings, and work through it making sure it is wrapped and tied up again every day. It is like a giant hay bale when opened, packed in slices. It lasts around 17 days. Cannot feed hay in any shape or form without heaves and much coughing.
 
A lot depends on the weather, warm spring days can turn haylage a lot quicker than temps below 10 degrees. I feed eurobale size haylage (125-150kg) to one horse, as long as the bale is stripped completely of plastic it lasts until I get to the bottom which is usually a fortnight.

I think it's a bit silly for your yard to use bale spikes on haylage though, these are for hay or straw bales. The horses will know what's not edible.

I actually think this happened when they picked them up, because they were still on the trailer when I noticed the holes. I can run over with some duct tape next time I suppose. I did notice they did this once before, and the 2 before these ones arrived with no holes so I have no idea. Horses (not mine) have been eating it for a few days now with no issues.

It's still been quite cold at night here, not so warm yet.
 
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