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 Expert
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Location: the land of dust & sticks | everybody says it’s cheaper to feed roll vs square bale, however, here’s my problem and thoughts, in put appreciated. 1 you can’t “ration” a roll once it’s in the field, 2 I have 2 Super easy keepers that don’t need constant hay and my husband wants to let them on hay a day or two then pull off so they don’t get so fat, well when it’s cold they need some hay, so my thoughts are that rationed square bales would be better for these guys. Then I have 2 others out there that are not as easy keepers and could use the hay more free choice. And also, wouldn’t rationing square bales save money vs a free choice roll that could be eaten almost nonstop? Usually a round roll lasts about 2 weeks for 2 horses unless it’s really cold. Thanks for your input. | |
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The Advice Guru
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| Slow feeder hay net | |
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 Expert
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| barrelchasinmonki - 2017-12-10 7:07 AM
 everybody says it’s cheaper to feed roll vs square bale, however, here’s my problem and thoughts, in put appreciated. 1 you can’t “ration” a roll once it’s in the field, 2 I have 2 Super easy keepers that don’t need constant hay and my husband wants to let them on hay a day or  two then pull off so they don’t get so fat, well when it’s cold they need some hay, so my thoughts are that rationed  square bales would be better for these guys. Then I have 2 others out there that are not as easy keepers and could use the hay more free choice. And also, wouldn’t rationing square bales save money vs a free choice roll that could be eaten almost nonstop? Usually a round roll lasts about 2 weeks for 2 horses unless it’s really cold.  Thanks for your input.
Would the horses have pasture if you pulled them off the round bale? If not, then I say no way to pulling them off for days at a time. Horses are meant to have feed in front of them 24/7. | |
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Expert
Posts: 2533
Location: the land of dust & sticks | Flitastic, you hit the nail on the head, my point exactly. I mean there’s dead grass out there but no planted winter grazing. That’s why I think rationing square bales is better, but also another problem I have with that is they are in short supply this year.
have been wondering about the slow feed nets, but concerned of catching a shoe in them in the field. | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
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| If they’re shoe and you go with rounds you’ll want to also use a bale ring. If you go with smalls you can also get slow feed nets to use, but again if they’re shod you’ll want to place the net in something to keep a shoe from getting hooked - I’ve seen folks build boxes or use a stock tank.
We are having the same problem with good hay getting hard to find. We don’t have room to store rounds under roof anymore, and had questionable luck with quality. We just filled up again and I’m afraid by the time we can hold another load we’ll be looking at a road trip a couple hours south. Not the end of the world, but I think we’re going to be putting up more hay storage next year.
Currently it’s not terrible out and we’re feeding hay 2x’s a day with grain like we do in the summer. Once it gets colder and crappier we’ll put grass hay in the slow feed bale nets and leave it in front of them and give a flake of alfalfa with their grain. My gauge for that is teens during the day as the high. | |
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