It's really true that for every need there's a smart solution, and that people may never know they need something until they try it. Then it becomes a necessity. This is how it is with the round bale hay net. Although many grazing animal owners may never have thought of such a thing, once they hear of it they will never want to be without it.
Big bales became popular with farmers to reduce labor and storage problems. Animal owners also love them because they'e generally cheaper than small square bales, can be fed out in the open, and allow animals free access to feed. However, there are some drawbacks which the use of big-bale nets can eliminate.
For example, horses turned out with a round bale generally eat more than they really need and drop a lot of hay on the ground where they lie on it or temple it underfoot. The bale sits in one place, molding gently from the bottom up, which leaves an unsightly mess in the field. This is all true, of course, if cattle, goats, llamas, or sheep are being fed. Nets work only for hornless animals.
Use netting around the bale and these problems are eliminated. Horses quickly learn to pull out a mouthful at a time, which they eat before getting another. This slows down consumption, which prevents over-eating. Although cattle being fattened for beef need to eat as much as they will, breeding cows conceive more readily if they are not too heavy.
There's also very little waste, as the animal pulls out a mouthful at a time and consumes it. Owners are supplying feed, not bedding, and forage trampled into the ground is a waste of money, time, and effort. If the entire bale is consumed, it lasts longer, saving on cost and effort of replacements.
There are many ways to install nets, since people are endlessly ingenious. The standard way is to throw the net over the top and pull it down around the bale, tightening it at ground level. Once the hay ring or other barrier is placed around the whole, animals won't get their feet tangled in the net, which simply collapses as the hay inside is consumed. Tangling feet in the net is especially likely if horses are shod.
Horses learn fast how to use netted hay. The first time, it's recommended that the owner loosen the outside of the bale and pull some wisps of forage through the netting, so the horses learn to pull the hay out rather than try to bite through the netting. Although there may be some biting at first, holes can be tied up and no real damage is done.
The nets should be made of UV-resistant polypropylene, to stand up to sun and weather conditions. Look for guarantees of satisfaction and replacement of defective products. There are sites that detail return and replacement policies, as well as showing how to install their nets and use them to best advantage.
Big bales became popular with farmers to reduce labor and storage problems. Animal owners also love them because they'e generally cheaper than small square bales, can be fed out in the open, and allow animals free access to feed. However, there are some drawbacks which the use of big-bale nets can eliminate.
For example, horses turned out with a round bale generally eat more than they really need and drop a lot of hay on the ground where they lie on it or temple it underfoot. The bale sits in one place, molding gently from the bottom up, which leaves an unsightly mess in the field. This is all true, of course, if cattle, goats, llamas, or sheep are being fed. Nets work only for hornless animals.
Use netting around the bale and these problems are eliminated. Horses quickly learn to pull out a mouthful at a time, which they eat before getting another. This slows down consumption, which prevents over-eating. Although cattle being fattened for beef need to eat as much as they will, breeding cows conceive more readily if they are not too heavy.
There's also very little waste, as the animal pulls out a mouthful at a time and consumes it. Owners are supplying feed, not bedding, and forage trampled into the ground is a waste of money, time, and effort. If the entire bale is consumed, it lasts longer, saving on cost and effort of replacements.
There are many ways to install nets, since people are endlessly ingenious. The standard way is to throw the net over the top and pull it down around the bale, tightening it at ground level. Once the hay ring or other barrier is placed around the whole, animals won't get their feet tangled in the net, which simply collapses as the hay inside is consumed. Tangling feet in the net is especially likely if horses are shod.
Horses learn fast how to use netted hay. The first time, it's recommended that the owner loosen the outside of the bale and pull some wisps of forage through the netting, so the horses learn to pull the hay out rather than try to bite through the netting. Although there may be some biting at first, holes can be tied up and no real damage is done.
The nets should be made of UV-resistant polypropylene, to stand up to sun and weather conditions. Look for guarantees of satisfaction and replacement of defective products. There are sites that detail return and replacement policies, as well as showing how to install their nets and use them to best advantage.
About the Author:
You can visit www.haynets.biz for more helpful information about Finally A Round Bale Hay Net.
This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
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