How to store hay?

[RoccoAndPeanut]

So I bought a 100 lb bail of Timothy hay at my local horse feed store. I put them in 4 big trash bags and put them in my gerage. I poked a lot of holes in the bag to help out with the ventilation and then when I need hay I put it in another plastic shopping bag and bring it up stairs. I know this probably isn't a good way to store hay because it can get moldy so what is a good way to store it now that it's all deprecated and messy in the bags? And is a box better than a big plastic storage bin? I can only keep it in my gerage cuz it stinks up the house.

 

[Jerrybelly]

I don't have the room to store hay in bulk, but I know a lot of our members do. Hopefully someone can come along and offer some suggestions.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I buy hay by the bale and store it in an airy shed, removing sections as needed. If your garage isn't damp it should be fine to store it this way in the future but as the bale you have has been broken up, then cardboard boxes would be better that plastic if being stored for several weeks because as you say, it may get musty. If your'e using it up quickly then bags with holes in should be ok but I would be careful about the type of plastic bag used ... in the uk our big bin bags are infused with chemicals and food items should not be stored in them.

 

[Loutopia]

Hi there! I went to the local hardware shop and bought the largest cylinder bin with a lid that I could find. It cost me £9 and I went back and got another to keep the bedding in! It's really great as I use the lid to transport the hay to the cages to save on mess. I can fit loads in and I like to mix up the different types and just grab handfuls at a time. I haven't had any problems with storing it like that at all

 

[RoccoAndPeanut]

Thank you for the replies. I will probably try something else to store it in since it will be in there for a year at most. How do I tell if it is getting bad?

 

[Dindypig]

I use a wheelie bin with a big black wheelie bin liner bag. It just fits a bale in nicely.

 

[LordBernieBouffant]

I used to transfer mine to the old Megazorb bags and store in the garage - they were "breathable" and the hay stayed perfect but you can't leave it out in the rain. Megazorb are now using plastic which is no use, but I kept loads of the bags - may be worth asking for them?

But for the best way to keep it - I bought a Keter Outdoor storage box - the large one holds a full bale of hay easily and it's always dry (although mine is under a carport).

On a side note, I put a full bag of spuds into it also and they keep all winter, cosily wrapped in hay

Hay kept dry will keep all winter and spring - it only goes mouldy if it gets damp.

Jo x