Feeding hay in the field

[lauren123]

I am wanting to feed hay out in the field this winter. But without the hay blowing away or ending up trashing the field. Our fields are very open, no shelter what you se is what they get , type thing.

Now I was thinking of the Hay Hutch which sounded fab and right up my street ( I am unable to tie anything to the fence for example) So this would be perfect! That was, however until I saw the price of one of them!!!

So I am looking at other ways, ideally something that I can move around to prevent land getting trashed and that wont cost me £170!

Does anyone have any ideas? Wheelie bins are meant to be good, but I cant really it to a fence. Then I thought about making a little box from pallets (Well my friend is handy with a saw) But I aren't sure if the hay would still blow away?

 

[Jessey]

Hay net balls on the floor, a wooden box, a dolav, an IBC cage, even a big tub trug will work and all be cheaper than a hay hutch.

 

[Gimp]

tie hay nets up in varying places

 

[domane]

We have used wooden boxes in the past. It needs to be heavy and sturdy enough to tolerate being rubbed against, but also light enough that two of you can move it because the ground around it will get very poached. Plus big enough for every horse to stand around it or there will be fighting. We ended up having to put a cross of timber across the top of ours because one of them would plunge their nose in and nudge the rest of the hay up and out the other side, which would then get trodden on and wasted. If they have a smaller space for their nose they can't do that so much. It's just more of a pain getting the hay in as you can't just tip

Hay balls for unshod horses work well too, as long as they can't get under fencing and you have a decent covering of grass. I like those because the horses tend to move with them so they're moving a bit, which simulates natural grazing to an extent. But the haynets get filthy and you have to spot them all around the field.

I have seen people make their own hay hutches using wheelie bins and cutting out a hole in the bottom of them. Apparently you can just about fit a whole small bale in. I haven't tried this as my lot are waaaaaay too boisterous and would just knock one over!

We are fully electric fenced so I think I am going to get Dom to build me a wooden box and knock a couple of sturdy posts into the ground from which I can hang some haynets.

 

[Trewsers]

Didn't @Flipo's Mum make her own wood one???

 

[chunky monkey]

I've seen some people use those 1000 litre water containers. Take out the plastic part and use the metal framework as a hay rack. You can then flip them over to move round the field.
Personally I would not want to use a box that's is made of lots of nails. My one horse would respect but the other would rub, demolish and get a nail stuck in him.
I just put my hay on the floor. Allows me to move around, so no field carved up. I also never put just inside the field by gate, I carry it a little way into field. I never put out more than a days worth other wise it can be wasted.

 

[Flipo's Mum]

Yep @Trewsers. We made our own and they are fab and still going strong two years later. I originally wanted it to be a slow feeder with a grate on top but I've never actually used the grate! So much tidier in the field with hay. Flipo does like to stick his nose under and toss all the hay up but because the box is quite big he doesn't tend to lose it out the side that much. Stops the wind problem - we used to stuff hay down two tyres piled on top of each other in the really bad weather as our field is quite exposed at the top where they get fed, worked fine and possibly a much cheaper option for you Lauren, but the boxes are great as well.

This was the original building thread......http://www.newrider.com/threads/project-slow-feeder-grazing-box-who-needs-a-man.243001/

 

[Jessey]

An IBC cage

Hayball

The wheelie bin

I like to change up where their hay is and how they get it, just to keep them engaged they also get ig loose on the floor a lot

 

[domane]

I'm liking the IBC cage idea. @Jessey - did you have to modify it at all? Just wondering about potential sharp edges. Didn't realise they can be bought so cheaply either.....

 

[lauren123]

Loving the photos Jessey! I did worry that he might get his feet stuck in the IBC cage but seeing it with yours. I don't think he will. We have loads around the yard!

 

[Jessey]

I'm liking the IBC cage idea. @Jessey - did you have to modify it at all? Just wondering about potential sharp edges. Didn't realise they can be bought so cheaply either.....

I paid £30 as the tank leaked (normally they are about £50 round here), just unscrewed the 2 securing bars on the top and removed the tank and good to go

@lauren if my horse is stupid enough to put a foot in there then
a) its their own stupid fault
b) the holes are loads big enough for them to get it back out and the bars are round so shouldn't cause too much damage.
I guess if you are really worried you could cover the outside with boards and just leave the odd hole for them to eat from.

I tie nets on mine too when they need slowing down a bit. I also just added a liftable roof to it to stop jess sticking her head in the top and scoffing

 

[MrC]

Tattie boxes are good as well, I made a hay feeder from five pallets screwed together. Lasted until Stella decided that after emptying it she would proceed to roll it around the field, scratch herself on it and sit in it I had five years out of it before she got her paws on it