[plumseverywhere]

When I called my local hay supplier he insisted I go down and see the hay as lots of horse owners had sent it back...when I got there I was delighted as it was packed with thistles and all sorts which I knew the goats would love but also it meant I was paying £3.50 a bale delivered rather than over £5    like Wytsend says, its well worth  looking around for this!

[Roxy]

We had such awful weather in the summer  - like most of the country, I think ....the hay made round here was in most cases not good. Damp, musty, and poor quality,  Really hope we have a better summer, and good hay is made.

[Daisys Mum]

Not quite sure why but in 2011 I bought the years hay and then decided to buy a load of big bale haylage, thank goodness I did. The goats are eating the hay which is still really good and the horses the haylage, did offer some to the goats but they were not keen so have stuck to just the hay for them.
Now praying for good weather as we do need hay and haylage this year.

[wytsend]

Dont forget......that big bale hay, which is often equivalent to at least 12 std bales can be bought for around £20 A BALE   making it cheaper still.
Best of all, handling problems are not really there, as unlike haylage,  you can cut the strings and re stack where you need it !!!!   Thats what I do  and I use 2 big bales a week !!!!

[fifixx]

and my big mistake this year:  putting a row of big bale hay on the chalk floor - now all mouldy so have wasted the bottom third - grrrr

[wytsend]

Use pallets for the bottom layer....air can circulate.
 

[plumseverywhere]

and my big mistake this year:  putting a row of big bale hay on the chalk floor - now all mouldy so have wasted the bottom third - grrrr

I did that last year, use pallets now like Wytsend says but also I make sure the back of the bales aren't touching the brick wall so air gets all round 

[goosepimple]

dig a hole under the pallet and put a basin in it with lots of rat poison otherwise you'll create a five star rat run