Eliminating Round Bale Hay Waste

Wishful_Rider · 08-04-2009, 11:24 AM

On another forum, I came across this idea and it really works fantastically well!

Use the plastic snow fence to wrap around the bale. We use electrical tie wraps to hold it together but I have heard you can use baler twine as well. Because our bales are hard core, I cut the top strings. The snow fence bends as they eat the bale down.

My husband built wooden feeders to put the bales in last year but we found that they did not work well because they could still pull the hay out and make a real mess.

So when I read about using the snow fence, we fitted the snow fence around the bale while it was still on the fork on the tractor, tied it with the tie wraps and put it on its end inside the wooden feeder. I would say that I don’t hardly pick up a handful each day and if I do I just put it back inside the corner of the wooden feeder.

When they have eaten the bale down by two thirds, I take the snow fence off and let them have the hay inside the wooden feeder. I am totally amazed at how well it is working and we have been using this for over a month now. In one paddock we have a 12 hh pony and she can still get her full.

Just thought I would share – any way to save money is worth sharing.

Druydess · 08-04-2009, 12:58 PM

Great idea! Don't think I'll find a snow fence in FL though...

libbytn · 08-04-2009, 01:18 PM

Could you post a picture? I'm in the south and have no idea what snow fencing looks like. Maybe we could improvise.

livinthedream · 08-04-2009, 02:18 PM

Its kinda , feels like heavy plastic or rubber, many different kinds, they have it everywhere a lot of construction sites use them , they are all over here in Az.

Wishful_Rider · 08-04-2009, 02:52 PM

I will try to get a picture to post asap - but yes, construction sites use it to block off areas they don't want driven or walked thru - it's usually orange in colour. Mine has a diamond shaped pattern to it. You should be able to get it at TSC stores but maybe not in Florida - possibly they would order it in if you have a TSC store there. One 50' roll did three bales each 16'8" and it cost about $67 Cdn including taxes.
I'll also take a picture of the wooden feeder on the outside which helps as well. Because all the horses here are on pasture during the day time and it is getting somewhat depleted, we have been putting the horses on the round bales at night. If it is forecasting rain during the day, we have just this weekend, attached a tarp over top of the bale to protect the inside from the rain so it does not mould because the centre is exposed. This has worked well too.

muttduck · 08-05-2009, 10:03 AM

Look for orange plastic "construction" fencing, for those in FL. It's bright orange, with a square pattern. Pretty much the same stuff, just different label.

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08-04-2009, 11:24 AM
Wishful_Rider Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 8	Eliminating Round Bale Hay Waste On another forum, I came across this idea and it really works fantastically well! Use the plastic snow fence to wrap around the bale. We use electrical tie wraps to hold it together but I have heard you can use baler twine as well. Because our bales are hard core, I cut the top strings. The snow fence bends as they eat the bale down. My husband built wooden feeders to put the bales in last year but we found that they did not work well because they could still pull the hay out and make a real mess. So when I read about using the snow fence, we fitted the snow fence around the bale while it was still on the fork on the tractor, tied it with the tie wraps and put it on its end inside the wooden feeder. I would say that I don’t hardly pick up a handful each day and if I do I just put it back inside the corner of the wooden feeder. When they have eaten the bale down by two thirds, I take the snow fence off and let them have the hay inside the wooden feeder. I am totally amazed at how well it is working and we have been using this for over a month now. In one paddock we have a 12 hh pony and she can still get her full. Just thought I would share – any way to save money is worth sharing.

08-04-2009, 12:58 PM
Druydess Coming two Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Deltona, Florida Posts: 1,556	Great idea! Don't think I'll find a snow fence in FL though... __________________ "Stupidity is an elemental force for which no earthquake is a match."

08-04-2009, 01:18 PM
libbytn Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Atoka, Tn Posts: 545	Could you post a picture? I'm in the south and have no idea what snow fencing looks like. Maybe we could improvise. __________________

08-04-2009, 02:18 PM
livinthedream Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In the Oven!!! Posts: 991	Its kinda , feels like heavy plastic or rubber, many different kinds, they have it everywhere a lot of construction sites use them , they are all over here in Az. __________________ 3 next year for sure... Barney changed my life because I changed his ! www.ponderosaminiatures.com

08-04-2009, 02:52 PM
Wishful_Rider Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 8	I will try to get a picture to post asap - but yes, construction sites use it to block off areas they don't want driven or walked thru - it's usually orange in colour. Mine has a diamond shaped pattern to it. You should be able to get it at TSC stores but maybe not in Florida - possibly they would order it in if you have a TSC store there. One 50' roll did three bales each 16'8" and it cost about $67 Cdn including taxes. I'll also take a picture of the wooden feeder on the outside which helps as well. Because all the horses here are on pasture during the day time and it is getting somewhat depleted, we have been putting the horses on the round bales at night. If it is forecasting rain during the day, we have just this weekend, attached a tarp over top of the bale to protect the inside from the rain so it does not mould because the centre is exposed. This has worked well too.

08-05-2009, 10:03 AM
muttduck Kid Safe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 6,957	Look for orange plastic "construction" fencing, for those in FL. It's bright orange, with a square pattern. Pretty much the same stuff, just different label. __________________ Custom stall signs and pet portraits, Wood Burned by hand with your equine's (or pet's) image: www.WoodburnedPetPortraits.com Self Defense Supplies, Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays: https://selfprotectionsupplies.com/