Hay Storage for Optimal Animal Health
If you own livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, or goats, you know how important their nutrition can be to overall health. The first step in ensuring your animals receive the nutrients they need is by providing hay that is free from mold, debris, and other contaminants that can occur without proper hay storage. Keeping horse feed in hay barns is a simple way to both keep your livestock healthy as well as tidy up your property.
The Benefits of High-Quality Hay Barns
Proper hay storage is crucial to the health of your horses and other livestock. You should not store any horse feed without a shelter, as it will become susceptible to rain, wind, snow, and extreme sunlight that can wreak havoc on your horse feed. Here are important factors to remember when deciding where and how to store your hay.
- Preventing moldy hay: If a bale seems overly heavy, it may have been subjected to additional moisture which can lead to mold within the horse feed. Discard the hay as it can cause serious health issues for your livestock, and at the very least, colic for your horse. Moldy feed can also cause respiratory illnesses for your horse, which can be easily avoided by ensuring proper hay storage year-round.
- Proper nutrient retention: Keeping your hay in an outdoor shelter helps promote nutrient retention, keeping the bales fresher which results in healthier horse food. Nutrition is one of the biggest factors in horse health, and storing hay in a dry, well-ventilated area is key.
- Increased safety: When hay bales take on too much moisture, there is an increased risk of fire. According to North Dakota State University’s Agriculture Extension, when hay’s internal temperature rises above 130 degrees Fahrenheit, a chemical reaction can cause combustion that can not only result in lost profit, but also injuries to livestock. This is another reason why you should always store hay in a structure separate from livestock to ensure their safety.
Storing Horse Feed Properly for Ultimate Health Benefits
Storing horse feed in a fabric shelter is a simple and cost-effective way to protect your money as well as the health of your livestock. Here are tips for optimal hay storage that will keep it in the best shape possible for our animals.
- Store hay off the ground: Keep hay bales on pallets if possible. This provides increased airflow underneath the hay which will help prevent moisture and contribute to better feed for your animal. This also combats mold from forming, which can have negative consequences for your horse.
- Do not pack tightly: Just as you should avoid from storing bales on the ground, you should also refrain from keeping hay too close together. You can also alternate how you lay them down in order to increase airflow.
- Avoid stacking too tall: A large bale of hay can weigh hundreds of pounds. While it may seem like a way to save space by stacking them as high as possible, you don’t want to create an unsafe situation if they were to fall. It could cause serious injuries to livestock and people within any shelter.
- Use a ventilation kit: These fabric shelters already provide protection from extreme temperatures. You can add increased ventilation with an automatic vent kit that opens and closes based on the temperature outside. This reduces moisture and also filters out bugs and other debris thanks to its built-in screen.
- Store hay by age: If possible, try to store hay within your shelter by how long you’ve had it on hand. This will keep you from providing your animal older hay that may not be fresh. The longer it has been exposed to the elements, the better chance it has to develop bacteria and other problems that can health issues for your animal. You can also use an electronic moisture meter to make sure bales aren’t too hot, which can actually lead to spontaneous combustion. While rare, it is a possibility that can be easily avoided by checking the hay’s temperature.
- Find the right location: It’s important to scope out the perfect spot on your property to place your hay barn. Like any shelter, you want to place hay barns on a flat surface that is elevated and allows for proper draining. If water pooling occurs, this will have a negative impact on your bales and livestock.
Reliable Hay Barns for Any Size Farm
ShelterLogic provides multiple hay barns ideal for sheltering not only feed, but even your horse. Our horse run in shelters are versatile enough to be used as a shelter for livestock or hay storage depending on your needs. Run in shelters have two open ends that offer your horse freedom while also protecting it from wind, rain, snow, and extreme sunlight that can cause health problems. Our hay storage shelter option has one open end that can either corral your livestock or protect horse feed. Whether you choose a run in shelter or a more closed-in storage shelter option, both choices provide:
- Ultimate strength: The patented ShelterLock Stabilizers paired with a 1 3/8 in. diameter frame creates a sturdy shelter that will protect horse feed and horse supplies from rough weather. Constructed with high-quality materials, you can rest assured these hay barns will last season after season.
- Sturdy on any surface: These hay storage options are built for nearly any surface from soil to concrete.
- Protection from other animals: Leaving hay bales outside of a structure can expose it to other animals that should not be eating it, such as deer on your property. When safely stored in hay barns, you don’t have to worry about wild animals taking your feed and taking a hit to your bottom line.
- All-steel frame: The rugged all-steel frames undergo a 13-step proprietary process, followed by a powder coated finish that combats rust, corrosion, and chipping. The heavy-duty construction ensures maximum durability through each season.
- Heavy-duty covers: The hay barn covers are constructed with ripstop tough polyethylene fabric that are 100% waterproof for optimal protection. These covers are also UV treated inside and out to shield hay and livestock from harmful UV rays that can cause hay spoilage or health problems for horses. The triple-layered and heat bonded construction ensures maximum durability.
- Simple assembly: Compared to erecting a traditional standalone barn, hay storage shelters can be assembled in hours compared to days or weeks with traditional buildings. Slip fit connectors and bolt hardware at every connection offers simple assembly with incredible strength.
- Cost effective: Fabric hay barns provide adequate conditions for hay without the huge price tag that comes with building a traditional barn. If you are on a budget, these outdoor buildings provide incredible strength and durability without hurting your bottom line.
- Portability: Every farm can benefit from a portable shelter, especially when moving animals or supplies throughout the season. These hay barns can be easily disassembled and placed anywhere else throughout your property. This versatility is something a traditional building cannot offer.