Question about big bale haylage, unwrap or not?

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Crazydancer

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Feel a bit 'numpty' about this, can anyone help?
For the last 2 winters I've fed big-bale haylage, stored outside as we were a grazing yard. Bales were well wrapped, and only opened when needed, then kept in the wrapping during use to keep the worst of the weather off. Had the odd 'bad' bale which supplier always replaced.

I'm now on a 'proper' livery yard, and have barn storage. I had a bale delivered but they used prongs to move it into the barn, which obviously punctured the wrapping. I didn't open it for 2 days, and it's already wet next to the plastic, and warm in the middle. No mound or anything, and I have been splitting off a few slices which dries off and cools for the next feed, it smells ok, and horses seem to be eating it ok.

Those who store under cover, do you unwrap yours totally? I did unwrap it totally last night and will see how it looks tonight, but not too happy with it tbh. :confused:
 
Hi we have it delivered and stored outside then when we need to use one we open it totally and store in a spare stable and work our way through it :) so yes we unwrap it fully stright away
 
If just prongs and not using immediately I'd JAF tape it. If using, I'd unwrap. When colder and using within 2 days I unwrap in bits as I go.

We don't have this problem any more as the bales are a free for all in the fields.
 
You should use wrapping tape to reseal it once delivered.
For what it's worth, inside, and out, I take all the wrapping off. It's always fine.
If its heating up the best thing you can do is take the wrapping off.
 
I get two at a time and only unwrap the one I am feeding, then the other when it is needed. never had a punctured one though and my bales are pretty dry- more hay like than haylage so that probably makes a difference... but yes, unwrapping totally is the best way to cool them down...
 
Thanks guys. I do want to stick with this supplier as his bales are half the cost and bigger than the alternative one!!! :eek: He does weekly deliveries to the yard, so I can have one at a time and unwrap straight away. I thought I had read at some time that unwrapping once opened was the right thing to do, but wasn't sure. Feeling happier about it now.
 
The warm weather is not helping your cause either.

I feed mine too quickly to have to worry about spreading it out to prevent it heating up at the moment, so it is just unwrapped and left to stand on a pallet with just the bottom still on the wrap. It is then just forked into barned horses or netted for stables.

When I have had a warm one, I open the lot out by pushing it around on the barn floor, then I turn it with a pitchfork to let the air through it. That normally works unless the air temperature is heading above 15 degrees or so.
 
My two will go through a big bale of haylage in two-three weeks. I always unwrap it all and it stays fine. It is kept in my feed room so under cover though.
 
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