Large bale haynet

[HorseyTee]

Has anybody ever made their own big bale haynet or found somewhere a bit cheaper that sells them?

My rabid beasts are going through bales alarmingly fast and wasting some on the floor so wanted to net it to make it last a bit longer and slow the greedy fatties down a bit.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I bought a decent one when my rabble were young and living out. It paid for itself within a couple of months. Not a scrap of waste once the bale was netted, it saved me at least 3 bales a month.

 

[Winters100]

I bought one for about 35 pounds on ebay. I used to use about 2 round bales a month in the paddock. Since putting a new bale in on Dec 2nd it is still only about half eaten. I use it inside a hay bell for safety.

 

[PurBee]

I bought a very large cargo net for a trailer:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Strong-C...516394&hash=item42229dc1e6:g:yP0AAOSw2ARfixRm

look at other listings for different sizings. Much cheaper than hay nets and small holed too...about 1.5 inches. It has elasticated edges for you to tie it up and secure it tight. If you’re a diy type person to retrofit it to your bales youll find this a quick, cheap option.
just make sure its tightly bound to the bale and all loose tie-up string is knotted up or cut, if you have same size bales all the time.

I ended up making lots of small holed haynets from it than use it for round bales.

The only complaint i have is that the acidity of haylage eventually weakens the polypropylene netting and it rots. For hay, it would last longer. So would not suit haylage round bales, but ok for hay. Haylage even rots standard baler twine i used to ‘sew’ edges. Something im amazed at as I use baler twine for gardening and have it outside getting drenched 24/7 and it lasts easily2-3yrs. So ive concluded its the haylage ive used mainly in the nets, being acidic, rotting the material faster than usual.
For haylage you’d want a very thick plasticy-feel polypropylene net, that is standard use in smaller hay nets.
The cargo nets listed are a thinner weave Than standard hay nets.

I’ve seen some ‘small holed’ large haynets for sale at 60-100 quid each that are made of this exact cargo-netting material. Im not sure they realise its no good for haylage long-term.

 

[ponynutz]

never made my own but bought some fabulous ones at badminton once from a company just opening up

http://www.haygrazer.co.uk/

Fabulous and attached them to a lead rope tied to a beam in the ceiling so they couldn’t push it against a wall and dig their teeth in. Still going strong had them since 2018

 

[ponynutz]

never made my own but bought some fabulous ones at badminton once from a company just opening up

http://www.haygrazer.co.uk/

Fabulous and attached them to a lead rope tied to a beam in the ceiling so they couldn’t push it against a wall and dig their teeth in. Still going strong had them since 2018

oh crikey I am not talking about the right thing her, apologies please ignore me been a long day ?

 

[HorseyTee]

oh crikey I am not talking about the right thing her, apologies please ignore me been a long day ?

? but helpful nonetheless.

Thanks for replies.
Will look at the cargo net. Only use big round hay so should be ok.

 

[PurBee]

I settled on the cargo net because purpose made small holed round bale nets received mixed reviews with some saying too small for their 4’ rounds and others saying too big. I didnt want to risk getting one and it being a complete git to fit.

I used to get all different sized rounds so really wanted something huge. They tend to be made for specific size round bales. Thats ok if you buy from same supplier and their bales are all the same size.
If you end up buying for a various sizes, get the biggest you can, as the excess can always be drawn-in and tucked into the middle of the bale underneath, creating a tight fit on smaller bales.

I like the weave on the cargo net - there’s no knots, so is kinder on their lips, considering its small holed, thats more comfortable for them.

The only thing to watch with any large round net, if you dont have a round feeder to put it in, and its sitting in the field, is to keep an eye for when the bale gets eaten way down. There’s a chance of them moving the whole hay net, getting shoes caught in string/net if shod, so best to remove net at that point and put it on a new bale.

 

[HorseyTee]

Ye that would be the only thing when it gets loose as the hay gets eaten.
Luckily all are barefoot so no worry re shoes.
We have occasionally ended up with the big rectangle bales so this would even work for them.