How is everyone feeding hay this year !!

Daisy11

Daisy11

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How is everyone feeding hay ,
I'm looking at the possibility of another bad time for hay
Last year we was ok because we managed to get cheap hay of field and farmer no longer doing it
But I've got to look at the possiblitys of expensive hay this year
I heard some people are mixing with straw to bulk
So if this is the case how much straw
Do you use to how much hay ??
And what type are you using ??
 
Ischa, I'm in Kent and my farmer has taken a good crop off the fields in the last couple of weeks. Do you have a shortage in your area? I don't know where you are, but it might be worth ringing round to see if you can find some hay. I paid £4 per bale, delivered.

I think barley straw is the best to feed, and it depends on the horses, you can feed 50/50 mixed. Some ponies will be OK eating the straw. I've decided that the best plan is to be economical with the hay, so have set up some big heavy tubs to use as hay feeders, with hay nets tied inside them. I won't be throwing any hay out on the field or using big round bales as I've done in the past, because of the waste.
 
I'm in Sittingbourne area
Bales here I've contacted about
Are £6 a bale and 50.00 for rounds
Last year I was lucky I paid 22 each for 50 rounds so covered me
I have 4 horses to feed this year
 
I fed my ponies 50/50 hay/straw last year and it worked so well that I shall be doing it again this year. I fed really good quality barley straw. I also feed the straw out in the field, rather than hay. It isn't quite as painful having them spoil a bit of straw in comparison to hay.
 
Yes I'm feeding a bit to one of mine.

The livery yard produces their own hay but year we had a bad crop, as in not as much, so prices go up and I'm hoping there will be plenty to last the winter out and through till and spring and then until the next cut.
 
Someone else suggested to me that I feed barley straw to the fatties, the only trouble, is that the decent barley straw I found was £3 per bale!

The hay from my YO is not going to great quality this year, and is £3.50 a bale. The fatties will have this, and the tb will have it mixed with haylage.

I will not be giving the fatties any unnecessary hay!
 
See brandy I'm in same boat with you regards to fatties
I have one very good doer
Who this will be her first winter with me
So I think straw will be the way to go regards to her
 
I would feed straw if it were significantly cheaper, but its not.

I usually give excessive amounts of hay in the winter (so I am told) to the fatties, as they go in with the TB who needs ad lib. They will be in seperate paddocks this year!
 
Luckly my fatty is out with 2 others that really don't need alot
So hopefully I get away with some straw for her
Luckly straw round here is actually cheaper then hay
It 2.25 a bale
 
Do you collect your hay? I have the number of a good farmer the other side of Maidstone who will porbably have plenty of hay at a reasonable price. I haven't rung him because it looks as if I'm sorted.
 
I dont see much point in feeding straw, yes it bulks it out but its of no nutritional value. I'll simply be feeding hay this winter in haylage nets - makes it last longer and reduces waste. Wont be feeding in my haybars anymore as they simply pull it out and wee on it!
 
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