Don’t Let Your Hay Hit the Ground! Smart Storage for Healthier Livestock

Have you ever thought for one second and noticed that your hay stock looks like it has been eaten up overnight? Or have you noticed any changes in the health status of your animals, like an increase in the number of illnesses?

If your answer is yes, then you are not the only one! In this article, you’ll learn the benefits of keeping your hay off the ground. You’ll also discover how this simple change can save money, improve your animals’ health, and simplify hay management. Let’s dive in!

The Problem with Hay on the Ground

Think of your favorite food that you accidentally drop on the floor. Will you pick it up and eat it? Absolutely not! 

In that sense, your animals have the same thoughts regarding their hay. When hay gets to the ground, it becomes a magnet for mud, wetness, and even animal feces. And that’s not even the worst part.

Leaving hay on the ground can turn it into mold. Moldy hay can cause many problems, including respiratory and digestive issues for your animals. And the waste of all this feed is going to cost you financially.

Messy Livestock: The Hay-Wasters

Animals are little more than toddlers eating at the table, don’t you think? The fact is, animals are messy eaters by nature. They don’t only chew but move around their legs, and sometimes, they lie on the food that was given to them. 

Cattle or horses prancing around will ruin your hay lying on the ground. Horses also love to roll over on the hay like it’s the softest bed in the world. Animals like horses and cows get a kick out of pulling hay out of feeders and tossing it around. And when hay goes into the dirt, then it is useless.

Why Animals Reject Spoiled Hay

If you believe your animals are picky, then you are correct. Just like you would not like to bite in a sandwich dropped on the floor, livestock do not want to eat hay that has already been made dirty or has gone bad. 

Hay fed on the ground is also likely doused in dust, mold, and other substances, making it less attractive to the hungriest animals.

Labor Costs: More Work for You

The way we feed hay has huge consequences for our animals’ well-being and profit margins. Ground-feeding hay increases the waste of time and money. Cleaning a soiled feeding area can be hard work if there are many animals to feed. 

How Ground Feeding Increases Labor:

• Daily Cleanup: Every single time an animal gets a meal, there is bound to be some waste, and raking it and throwing it away can become a daily activity.
• More Frequent Feeding: If an animal wastes a portion of food, its feed has to be increased, which results in more work.

Best Practices for Keeping Hay Off the Ground

Okay, now you are convinced that you want to keep your hay clean, confined, and above the ground, but how do you achieve this? Here are a few tips which will help you to utilize your hay more efficiently:

• Try Out Hay Feeders: A quality hay feeder will prevent the hay from getting soiled and wasted. For instance, Hayboss Feeders are made in a way that promotes the protection of hay and avoids waste.
• Store Hay Higher: If you’re keeping the hay outside, store it at a height, such as on pallets or concrete blocks. These storage components will prevent moisture from rising from the soil to your hay, which can cause damage.
• Cover the Hay: Use tarps or a hay shed to protect the hay from wetness. Even a small shower can ruin perfectly good hay!
• Feed Smaller Portions: Instead of going for savings and putting large hay amounts in the pasture, offer small portions of hay and refill frequently.

The Environmental Benefits of Hay Feeders

Hay feeders are cost-effective and promote the health of your animals. They also promote the environment. Fewer dump bales of hay mean saving more land from dust storms.

Environmental Benefits of Hay Feeders: 

• Reduces Soil Erosion: Some hay that gets trampled into the soil promotes erosion as it bonds with soil, but feeders prevent this as they keep hay off the ground.
• Improves Pasture Health: Hay feeders help prevent overgrazing and promote healthier pastures by reducing the amount of hay wasted.
• Minimizes Pollution: Hay waste also means the loss of organisms that enhance rot, which is suitable for pollution control.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Make a Change

Raking hay rather than leaving it on the ground has plenty of benefits. A better strategy for storing hay can reduce costs, improve cattle health, and ease the work involved in managing a business. 

Let’s ensure that hay is never left behind on the ground; this is advantageous to farmers, animals, and even the environment!Ready to make the switch? Contact Hayboss Feeders for a reliable and efficient solution to your hay storage needs.