Numpty questions re: hay

nikicb

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Ok, so I've had horses for years but always on someone else's yard or as they currently are on fully livery. Just about to start keeping them at home so trying to get things organised.

How many regular sized bales could I fit in a space of about 8 ft by 8ft. I worked out about 40 odd if they were stacked about 4 to 5 high. Does that seem about right?

Also, should I put them on pallets to allow circulation of air or straight onto the ground.

Anything else I need to think of?

Sorry for daft questions, but I'm the only horsey person in the house and as such have to work everything out for myself!

Jaffa cakes for any helpful answers! :)
 
well i manged to fit 35 bales in a shed of 8x6 last year so i would say about 40 possibly more if you stack the correctly ,i always stack mine on pellets and leave room around out side make sure you do leave spaces to allow air other wise there sweat
 
I had the same thing when I bought my first hay off the field. I would say definately put the hay on pallets. Do not ram it into the sides of the stable, allow some air to circulate round. I also made a mistake the first year, of shutting the doors to the stable and I had problems with the hay getting a bit mouldy/dusty, even though it was made very well. Now I make sure the stable door is left wide open and there is plenty of air flowing around the stored hay. I can get about 100 in my 12 x 12 stable, it really does depend on the bale size though.
 
I would definitely stack on pallets and let the air circulate round the sides. I have my horses at home and have found it much cheaper to get the large bales of hay rather than buying small ones.

Last year I paid for 10 in advance and just phoned up when I wanted one dropped off as I don't have room to store that many.
 
Thanks - all very helpful information.

I had wondered about the bigger bales but I have to do all the lugging around myself as hubby really doesn't want much to do with 'my' animals!! Don't get me wrong, he is tolerant, but will certainly not be seen very often on the yard! So I just thought that the smaller bales would be more manageable.
 
Don't know if your hay supplier is as helpful as mine but he delivers the large bale in the back of a large pickup truck and pushes it off himself and then uses the truck to push it to where it needs to be (in my case, undercover but not in s stable/shed). As I only have on delivered at a time I don't store it on pallets.
 
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