Smelly Haylage

[TicTac]

I am using some Marksway high fibre haylage and it has a really strong smell, not particularly sweet but almost sour, sort off. It's certainly not mouldy and it doesn;t have any white
' powder' on it, however the horses seem to be eating it with no ill effects.

I was just wondering if any of you know why this particular batch might be sooo smelly? I have quite a few bales of this brand to get through and hope that it's not faulty in any way!

 

[kirstyl]

I would ring them as soon as you can and ask for it to be changed. Haylage shouldn't be smelly and you are paying good money for it!!

 

[NicoleS_007]

I used to use the Rye grass one and it smelt like wine or something!! Was really strong smelling around September time then when i used it again in about April there was hardly any smell.

 

[Cuppatea]

some of our real basic meadow hayledge has a strong oudor to it - stays on your skin and clothes for ages too. No mould, rot etc just as you describe. we know there is nothing nasty in it and that it isnt off its just strongly smelling! The horses love it and have done for years with no ill affects. Obviously the pointers dont have it - they get the seriously good stuff but everything else does. I cant speak for your hayledge - id have to see it to know if its ok or not, maybe get someone to have a look?

 

[melbiswas]

I have just had a new batch from Polo forage and I have the same problem. It looks fine but has a much stronger, sour smell. Previous orders have had a much sweeter smell.
I'm going to contact them today . The horses dont seem to mind it but they are hungry as we have very poor grazing!

 

[Shay]

Haylage should smell sweet, sometimes alcholic. I can be strong smelling - I love it - but it should always be sweet. If it smells yeasty, sour or like vomit then it is going off. You may also find if you push your hand into the middle of it it may feel hot - because it is fermenting. (Hard to do with small bales - they're packed too tight!) Horses will still eat it as it is souring but it can increase colic risk. In extreme cases haylage can harbour botulism which makes both humans and horses very sick. Personally I have always returned bales which smell wrong on opening to my supplier. He has always just swapped them out with a new bale.

The white powder mildew is fine to feed. When it goes black or slimy chuck it!