Hay storage

Rescuechick76

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How do you all store hay? We are new to this. We have a large pole building we plan on storing it in. But does anybody have any tips on how to do it? It has a cement floor. I'm assuming the hay should be up off the floor. What do you all use? Pallets maybe?
 

alsea1

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Pallets are good. Alot depends on where your at. How much moisture in winter and what not.
I'm in pacific northwest climate. Lots of wet. Storing hay can be tough.
I put good tarps down on floor. Then place pallets. I also salt between layers of hay. If birds have access to storage area I put a tarp over the top. But make sure that it is not sitting on the hay. There must be air circulation to it otherwise it may trap moisture and mold on you.
Cold freezing climates are much more forgiving I think. Less danger of losing hay to mold.
 

Bruce

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After the temps go down below freezing and stay there ;)

Concrete is always "wet". I think your tarp under pallets is a good plan and yes a "rain/bird hood" tarp above.
 

norseofcourse

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I use pallets underneath mine, and in the barn where the floor is dirt, I laid some plastic sheeting under the pallets. I see pallets on craigslist for free quite often, but I happened to luck into free pallets at a place near work, so if you see a place with some, it can't hurt to stop by and ask.

I have a condensation problem in the barn due to the metal roof, so I built a frame and made a plastic sheeting 'roof' over the hay storage area there - it's been working great, plenty of airflow and it keeps it dry.
 

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