Posted: 8/8/2012 12:50:49 PM EDT
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I am finally getting our place ready for a couple of horses. However, I hadn't really thought too much about hay storage which is stupid as its the bulkiest food storage item.
I don't have the money right now to build a hay barn or even a open sided barn. I am probably going to end up storing the hay (estimated 180 x 50 pound square bales) in my 30 x50 shop building at the expense of being able to use it for its intended use as a work space. However, I do have a 20 foot shipping container. It's the standard type steel container with 2 doors and vented corners. My concern is that this thing, despite the vents, has a bad condensation problem. I was in the Army for 30 years and have used 100's of these things on numerous deployments and for storage of unit equipment. I have never seen these containers have a problem with condensation like this. I am almost positive it's not from water seeping into the container as the visible water literally sweats/drips in uniform sheets along the entire walls of the container and from the roof of the container. Does anyone have any thoughts on my condensation problem? Has anyone had a similar problem and found a solution? Would the hay be ok in the container if I stacked it on pallets and draped a tarp over the top to keep the condensation off the hay? I don't want to go with round bales. I just don't like the idea of feeding hay that's just sitting outside in the weather. |
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water & moisture are the enemies here, Bladerunner. Too bad that daggone container won't stay dry. Here's some tips below, but I've had good luck with spreading a lot of wood shavings down on the ground first, then TWO levels of wooden pallets and a good covering atop 'em. But one good blow (and these usually happen at 0300 or when you're at work) and then you got real water problems. Same thing with snow (don't know where you are in NC––I know you can get some white death in the Piedmont or mts) the snow will cave in those flimsy cheap plastic tents.
The issue is if you don't let the hay cure properly and/or once it cures, if it gets wet, you run the risk of the hay molding. Then, you got billions of bacteria feasting on all the goodies in your hay and you wind up with mulch or goo. It ain't pretty––and that smell––phew! Got to eliminate/contain moisture from without and build up of condensation or sweating within. Thus, ventilation and sunlight play a big part. Oh, and it sounds almost too obvious, but don't tempt fate or your equines by storing it too close to 'em. They WILL find a way to get at it! A small fence around it may be in order. TIPS Choose a well-drained, elevated storage site in a sunny location, preferably in an area where frequent breezes occur Choose bales or baling procedures that create well-formed, tight bales with a minimum of 10 pounds of hay per cubic foot in the outer inches Place bales on pallets, coarse gravel, or old tires rather than directly on the ground to protect from losses caused by ground moisture Stack bales in closely butted rows with a gap between rows. The space between rows allows for air circulation and sunlight penetration Cover bales with heavy plastic sheeting, a tarp, or other fabric covering that is firmly secured to prevent wind from blowing it off. Leave flat ends of outside bales, as well as a few inches along the sides of rows, uncovered to allow moisture to escape and air to circulate Make sure there are no objects near hay that would attract lightning. Reduce fire risk with a no-vegetation zone at least 3 feet in width around the storage area Feed hay stored outside before feeding hay stored inside Stack bales so older hay will be fed first. Feed value losses for hay stored 12 to 18 months can be twice as great as losses for hay stored 9 months Thank you for your service to God's greatest country on the face of the earth THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! |
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stack it on some old skids and tarp it...... +1 +2 Hay tarps 
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There doesn't seem to be much difference in just tarping square bales and going with round bales.
I am probably going to go with 50 pound bales (for ease of handling) instead of round bales and use the tarp method to store. Quoted:
Quoted:
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stack it on some old skids and tarp it...... +1 +2 Hay tarps http://www.farmtek.com/wcsstore/EngineeringServices/allbizunits/prodimages/large/103504a.jpg |