Author Topic: How to stack hay (Read 3777 times)

Auntyhen · « **on:** December 08, 2013, 07:24:52 pm »

We are buying a small hay barn, well 4 metal sides and a roof, which we will pin to the ground and we hope to move our currently inadequately tarp covered small baled hay into it. We are complete novices. Should we put the tarps on the geound under them? Should we aim for a solid block of bales centrally placed, or a different lay out, say around the edges, or in rows? How many bales high is it safe to stack? All advice gratefully received.

henchard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2013, 07:43:42 pm »

The bottom row will rot/go mouldy on the base if just on soil. Best to put something under them to keep them away from moisture. Tarpaulin, damp proof membrane even old wood. Anything to keep them of the ground.

We used to stack the bottom row on their sides so the strings couldn't rot in the days of sisal twine.

Just bond the layers like bricks as you go up. Height depends on the size of the base and how compressed are the bales - but a well stacked barn can be as high as a two story house.

honeyend · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2013, 07:52:33 pm »

I think ventilation is key. If you wrap it up in tarpaulins it will not breath and any dampness that gets in will not get out. If you can afford to waste straw the bottom layer can be straw but the best is pallets, builders merchants sometimes have them. As I am a women I can never stack very high but I would put more pallets on the top layer if you are going to sheet over to help ventilation. Hay stacked in open fronted barns may get weathered but never really go mouldy as they dry out as soon as the sun or wind get to them.

UPoneacre · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2013, 09:26:10 pm »

On past experience definitely use pallets - the ventilation below stacked bales helps considerably to keep them mildew/rot free.

Auntyhen · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2013, 09:36:31 pm »

Thankyou all three, will use pallets, interleave like bricks as advised. Do you think we should tarp the ground under the pallets? Any advice on layout please?

henchard · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2013, 09:45:06 pm »

Quote from: Auntyhen on December 08, 2013, 09:36:31 pm

Do you think we should tarp the ground under the pallets? Any advice on layout please?

Not IMHO as long as it's not in contact with the damp it should be fine.

UPoneacre · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2013, 04:28:48 pm »

No. If you tarp over the ground you will end up with concentrated damp under the tarp whereas leaving ground uncovered allows it to 'breathe' naturally - it's the concentration of moisture and slightly raised temperature that makes it attractive to mould growth etc.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2013, 04:48:54 pm »

Pallets are a good base layer. If you have poultry or a feed store nearby put rat bait stations where they can't be accessed by pets or wild birds. Rats love the warmth. Put the first layer on its side - two next to each other one way then three alongside at right angles - this makes the base stable. We don't normally stack more than five high so we can reach from the ground. If the weather drives in tarp just the front edge and face. If you have cats remember that they like to poop in comfortable places, i.e. your haystack, and are carriers of toxoplasmosis which will be ingested by pregnant cattle or sheep, if that's what you're feeding, and then you have a big abortion problem.