Keeping round bale hay outside

[Equi]

most of it round my way is £5 per small bale-I have manage to get good hay from a relative for £3 a bale

My dad literally wouldn't let me buy hay over £3 lol my neighbour does huge small bales of really good stuff for £3 and no delivery charges cause I just get it as I need it.

 

[crabbymare]

I got a hay knife which does a great job of slicing the bales lengthways, then the "leaves" cam be lifted off with a fork and fed to the horses. It needs to be kept razor sharp with a whet stone or it is hard work! Pulling round bales apart by hand is a pain in the butt!

I could do with one of those. looks like a very good tool

 

[Honey08]

Yes I was thinking that. Although I don't find big hay bales difficult to work with if I can get all the way round them and use them like a loo roll.

 

[Dry Rot]

I could do with one of those. looks like a very good tool

I was feeding round bale haylage out of the trailer and it's very difficult to break the bales up. You will need someone to grind the blade down as they arrive fairly blunt. A standard 4 inch grinder will do the job. Then just use the whet stone. Or maybe ask them to put a decent edge on it? But do put some sort of guard on it as they are lethal!

Here you go:

http://www.handtoolssheffield.co.uk/shop/agriculture-range/hay-knife/

 

[HighFive]

It will be fine if you leave it on it's side. Obviously the faster you can use it, the better. The outside layers will act a bit like a thatch, and keep the hay underneath in good condition. There will be a bit of wastage this way, as you have to pull the not so nice bits off.

 

[bakewell]

ooooh hay knife!
I use a bilhook right now but that looks much more efficient.