It takes two of mine anywhere from a week to two weeks to go through one round bale depending on how cold it is, how tightly packed the bale is, how much of it they manage to turn into bedding etc so it really depends. I have 30 round bales and 280 square bales for this winter.
How many round bales does a horse eat per month?
A horse can eat anywhere from 15-25 pounds of hay a day, which generally equates to a half of a 45/50-pound square bale of hay per day (~15-30 bales per month). Always remember to take into consideration the quality of your hay.
Round bales of hay for horses come in many sizes, but the most common is 4 X 5 foot. These bales typically weigh close to eight hundred pounds and last about two months.
How much hay does 2 horses need?
For two horses, that would be 50 pounds each day. If you feed large round bales from October through May (8 months or 240 days), you will need 12,000 pounds of hay for two horses. The average 4′ x 5′ grass large round bale should weigh 850 pounds. 12,00 pounds divided by 850 pounds equals 14 large round bales.
But it’s a myth that horses should never be fed round hay bales. In truth, properly stored and handled round bales are perfectly safe for horses and may actually be a smart addition in many feed management situations.
How many horses will a round bale feed?
A round bale should be fed within 7 to 10 days, therefore four to seven horses are ideal per round bale. Depending on the number of horses being fed, you may see either wasted hay with lower numbers or overcrowding around the feeder with larger numbers.
How much hay does a horse need in winter?
A horse, in general, at maintenance level in “mild months” should consume between 1.5-2.5% of their body weight in hay each day. It’s recommended that you add *an additional* 2 pounds of hay for every 10 degrees F drop in temperature below 32 degrees.
The average thousand-pound horse who relies on hay for all their forage typically eats fifteen to twenty pounds of hay per day. Most hay is dispensed in flakes; however, the amount of hay in a flake can vary greatly, depending on the size of the flake and the kind of hay.
How many square bales equal a round bale?
smrobs said: It depends entirely on weight. Small squares around here average 60-65 pounds, the current 4×4 round bales we are getting average 1700 pounds so 1 round bale = about 27 square bales.
Can horses live on hay alone?
So to answer your question, yes, a horse can live on just hay and be perfectly healthy.
How long can you keep hay for horses?
Storing Hay
You can store hay indefinitely if the stack is managed correctly; although, in humid climates, using hay within three years of harvest is ideal. Hay growers need to bale it at correct moisture levels because if it’s baled too damp the hay will generate heat, which leads to molding.
For an equestrian, summer means longer days in the saddle, competitions, horse camps, and lots of green grass! Many people who choose to let their horses graze on green, nutrient-rich pasture all day opt to limit a horse’s hay and grain intake, sometimes eliminating the food altogether.
How much hay does 2 horses need in winter?
Now, that you have taken hay waste into consideration you are ready to calculate how much hay you will need to buy this winter. Horses should consume 2% of their body weight in hay. For example, a mature 1,000 pound horse should consume 20 pounds of hay per day.
Should horses have hay all time?
Conclusion. Horses don’t have to eat all the time, but having constant access to hay helps keep their digestive system working correctly. Allowing your horse to graze on pasture grass is safe and keeps them healthy. A healthy pasture provides all the nutrition horses need.
Can round bales be left outside?
Ever since round balers were introduced in the early 1970s, one of the selling points—besides the low labor demand—has always been that round bales can be stored outdoors. And that is true to a greater extent than it is with square bales of any size.
Large round bale straw averaged $58.00 per bale (a range of $40.00 – $85.00). In Nebraska, hay sold steady, demand is light in 2020.
