I've seen a few posts on here about tree hay, and have read stuff on google and YouTube but wondered if I could pick any brains from people who've done this. I'm happy with coppicing and pollarding, the best tree species. Typically branches 1-2m are cut in summer and tied into manageable bundles. Store in dry with airflow, out of reach of animals till needed.
I like the idea of feeding tree hay to my two goats in the winter. I'm thinking a bundle every day or two.
Last year There was some greenery around till Christmas, so it's really Jan to April. 14 weeks, four bundles a week = 60 bundles.
My first thought is to throw a string over a rafter, hoist each bundle up out of reach in the rafters and tie off my end of the string on a nail in the wall. It can then be lowered into range at feeding time... but with 6o strings, from all different angles, and goats that stand taller then me and eat string, I'm not sure this is going to work..?
I'm also expecting a new baby at Christmas (probably C section) so kinda need a system that requires little effort to drop each bundle and doesn't require me to climb ladders or ballance on chairs. On the plus side, I have lots undercover shed space... Things like string, rope, wood, loader and tractor to get heavy stuff up if need be. We also have rats on and off, constant persecution dampens their numbers, but every so often they start multiplying so I am keen to get the branches way up off the ground where they will be safer from all animals eating/damaging them. Any thoughts would be well appreciated!
I'm off to cut some branches: sometimes having the problem to look at is better than just thinking about it (foolhardy).