I dont think it was mold but did seem concerning. RECOMMENDED FOR: 2023 Standlee Premium Products, LLC All Rights Reserved. Measure your horses heart girth. In such circumstances, dry alfalfa cubes should be weighed according to the above-mentioned conditions they should then be soaked and fed. Others advise that feeding a few flakes of hay during mealtime is sufficient for most horses. In such cases, you first have to determine 1.5 to 2 percent of the horses body weight. She loves it. How much does a 3 quart scoop of grain weigh? I sleep better at night knowing he is getting the alfalfa and less chance of colic. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Click to follow influencer, Norma Jean, and her pasture mates. Hay should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent mold growth and deterioration. Im concerned that this is hurting the horses too. Weigh the amount of forage provided to each horse to ensure you are feeding the proper amount. How many alfalfa cubes equal a flake? I got questioned Yesterday while I was having tea with a new horse owner in my neighborhood. Do you remember? Sorry. A one-ton bale weighs about two hundred and eighty pounds. Previous to a few weeks ago, I really hadnt given these compressed bales a second look. Do not trust google when it comes to determining the weight of alfalfa cubes and hay flakes even if it gets specific(for example, Bermudagrass flakes weigh up to 5lbs). The bale eventually eased up and relaxed a bit. Did Caleb LeBlanc die here on October 1, 2015? Moisture Not More Than 12%, INGREDIENTS: If you have questions, please contact the nutritionists at Standlee Premium Products, or consult with your veterinarian. On nets, baby teeth are easy to wear. Despite off-the-chart convenience, conscientious horse owners maintain a niggling uneasiness about feeding hay by the flake. Although I've noticed the Standlee Compressed Hay Bales at our local ranch retailer, I never really considered them because at only 50lbs and $15.99, they seemed expensive. Weightwise, it doesnt feel like it makes sense but these 50lb compressed bales feed less expensively than regular bales in California. By understanding these factors, farmers can better manage their crops and ensure they are getting the most value for their produce. I find all my hay in HayMap.com now and dont have to buy from Tractor Supply anymore. Half a bale? Sign up for free now! Hay is a crucial component of a balanced diet for many domestic animals, and understanding the different types and nutritional profiles of hay can help you choose the best option for your animals. But in fact, it varies by the content being used in it, for example, Bermudagrass flakes may weigh between 4-5lbs but the alfalfa hay flakes weigh up to 6lbs(even though they appear thinner). The west coat flake is about 80% heavier than the east coast flake. Once the grass has dried, it is then baled, either by hand or using a machine, and compressed into a compact, rectangular shape. . Similarly, if the hay is matured, it will be lighter and less dense. The difference is 5.6 vs 7.2 lbs. However, you should weigh every flake before feeding your horses. I recently started him on 2 large scoops daily of Blue Seal Hay Stretcher to gain weight (which worked), but I would much rather give him hay pellets than ?oat hulls, etc.,? When I showed her the math, the problem was obvious: With that simple change in hay, she had cut her horses caloric intake by 4,000 calories per day over the past month. They should weigh the same and the total of both(alfalfa and flakes) needs to make up to 1.5 to 2 percent of the body weight. You should never feed the horse by volume: It is recommended to feed the horse by pounds. Since I grow my own Bermuda grass hay, I mix some of the timothy with the Bermuda and put it in a hay net to slow her consumption speed down to grazing. Id love to compare. Hay that is properly stored and cared for can last for years, so it is a good investment for any animal owner. pellets daily over 2-3 weeks. Try one and give me your results! When we calculated his old diet, each flake of hay averaged 5 pounds each. Similarly, if the hay is matured, it will be lighter and less dense. I then opened the plastic wrapper with a hay knife easy. I forgot to tell you what I got in my HORSE BOX last month!. Products such as our Empower Balance are low in starch and sugar, and provide the essential vitamins, minerals, pre and probiotics and biotin needed to ensure a balanced diet. If the hay flakes can weigh more or less than 5lbs so do the alfalfa cubes. Hay flakes appear larger than the alfalfa cubes but they more or less weigh the same. They are heavy but I can manage them. The bonus was that I had no more vet bills after that! Click here to find a Nutrena retailer near you. It is a vital source of nutrition for animals that do not have access to pasture or other sources of fresh forage. Cut the bands on compressed bales 8 to 10 hours before feeding to allow the bale to expand to avoid overfeeding. It is also a good choice for horses that are prone to digestive upset. Replace existing hay on a 1 to 1 basis with Standlee forage. Would love to hear your opinion of rye grass hay as well. Table 1. It is generally believed that hay flakes are 5lbs(and they are most of the time). Two flakes tomorrow might equal fifteen pounds. We have a very small acre to keep him on and no place to store big bales of alfalfa so I bought the Standlee compressed bale from TSC. You wrote about compressed bales once before, a couple years ago? Or, free 24 hr. If youd like Standlees compressed hay, you need to go to One quart of Pellet A has 23% more weight (1.6 vs 1.3 lbs) and 50% more energy (2.4 vs 1.6 Mcal DE) than Pellet B. Find nutritional information about the big two forage grasses; timothy and orchard grass. Alfalfa hay is harvested in three or four round bales. Hello, The answer depends on the shape of the bale, its size, and moisture content. It can be made from a variety of different grasses and plants, including clover, alfalfa, and timothy grass, to name just a few. I have never had an issue with STandlee products even the compressed hay. They didnt drop any weight and they seemed quite happy. Sadly, Fred wouldnt touch it. Feeds have different densities, translating to different weight per volume. The hay you buy at a feed or livestock supplier may be analyzed before being sold. Hay can be a lot of fun to grow and consume. To her surprise, whenwe weighed several flakes,they all averaged 3 pounds per flake. These are 550lb. And there is way, way less hay waste- practically none. I asked if she had weighed the new hay, and she admitted shehad not done so yet. Then a flake of orchard and a flake of Timothy. The term dates back to the 16th century, and its most likely, E-ZPASS transponders are available for purchase at the following CVS locations. Very interesting! Suggestions welcome! Plant hardiness zones 4 to 8 in the, Carpenters are commonly referred to as Chippy in Australia and the United Kingdom. To feed a horse for a month, I would need 6 bales of regular hay. I could feel and hear the POP as I cut the final band as if the bale was in a too tight corset. The answer is based on the general assumption of the alfalfa cubes and hay flakes weight. So, for my horses that weigh 1000 lbs, with a regular bale, I would feed 20 lbs a day. Horses with low nutrient requirements should use mid- to late-maturity hay because they can eat more without overeating and becoming fat. To find the right amount for your horse, you can use a portable scale, a fishing scale, or a weighing device. The majority of the square bales Ive purchased and fed have 10-12 flakes per bale. I am about to buy 20 compressed bales of straight alfalfa for my weanling warmblood to mix with the regular grass hay. I tried to take a photo with a flake on my arm but I couldnt get the camera far enough away so I took this sideview. Weight vs Volume * DE = Digestible Energy * Mcal = Megacalorie, a unit of energy; 1 Mcal = 1000 kcal I weigh out the hay for each horse before each feeding. Click image to learn about this incredible colic cure - and use your coupon for $10 off! He is somewhat prone to colic and he tends to get hot on grain, so I figured timothy hay pellets were probably the best bet. Easy for me to get on my own. Always provide free-access to fresh, clean water. I asked if she had weighed the new hay, and she admitted shehad not done so yet. But in fact, it varies by the content being used in it, for example, Bermudagrass flakes may weigh between 4-5lbs but the alfalfa hay flakes weigh up to 6lbs(even though they appear thinner). Alfalfa cubes are handier than hay flakes as they are much easier to measure and store. Unlike grass, hay has more protein and fiber than grass. So to fulfill the daily food and nutritional requirement. Pelletedfeed, on the other hand, is a little more nutrient dense, so start low and monitor your horse's weight carefully. Why should you never feed Alfalfa Cubes the horse by volume? I cut the bands holding the bale tight and the sigh of relief from the bale once uncinched was palatable. Later in the season, however, I noticed the mix was not as fresh and had some dark brown sections of grass in it. I didnt weigh them, but I doubt they were only 50lbs. So, if a flake weighs around four pounds, youll have to feed five flakes to your thousand-pound horses every day. Alternatively, you can collect a sample of hay and request an analysis. Horse Nutrition Facebook Live Q & A - Wednesday, June 28th - RSVP Now, Growing (slow to moderate growth), mature and overweight horses, horses with HYPP, performance horses, early pregnancy mares and breeding stallions. They are more expensive though. (2,4 x 1,2 x 1,2 m) High-density small square hay bales - Such a bale requires a bale press or a bale compression system. Easy handle, easy to carry (although heavy) and clean no mess. The horses have never seemed bothered though. You may also want to consider whether or not a particular type of grass hay will be easier to store or transport. You see, one regular 100lb bale gives me 16 good flakes and 2 flimsy end pieces. That original 16 oz can filled with oats also weighed 1 pound, thus the coffee can filled with any feed must weigh a pound. This is wrong! I can't say how much would equal a flake but a pellet is very concentrated being small and compressed. One ton bale. Cant wait to try them! Whoever invented modern hay-baling equipment garners far too little praise from horse owners. I will definitely keep buying these. I was quite surprised. The default weight of alfalfa cube and hay flake is around 5lbs but it can be more or less. Required fields are marked *. A 1000-pound horse, for example, will eat 15 to 20 pounds of hay on a daily basis. The daily feeding rate is very low. In fact, I will continue to test and run the numbers to make sure. When did Caleb LeBlanc die, in Severna Park, Maryland? You may also want to try a cube of alfalfa, which contains the same amount of energy and nutrients. Weve been using Standlee mini compressed bales and all three of my horses love it. They are bound very tightly. Hed go through 1/3 of a bale every day = 2-1/3 bales weekly = 10 bales monthly because our bales are 2-strand square bales at 55-60 lbs/each. We can make a compress if is necessary.. HI: You wrote to the blogger, not the hay manufacturer. As far as I know, thats the only manufacturer for compressed hay bales. Frustration is a type of stress that must be avoided. You could also try a product such as Triumph Complete, which is a complete feed that can be used to stretch out your hay supply we do always recommend feeding at least some long-stemmed forage if possible, but a product like Triumph Complete can extend the life of your supply. However, this number can vary considerably depending on the type of alfalfa and the amount of feed. He maintained his weight on pasture and 1% of his body weight in pellets in the growing season, and then 1.5% of his body weight in pellets in the winter. (no affiliation) One quart of Pellet A has 23% more weight (1.6 vs 1.3 lbs) and 50% more energy (2.4 vs 1.6 Mcal DE) than Pellet B. Before we get into this too far, there are a few things that can trip you up regarding your goats eating too much hay: 1. show goats and 2. nutritional value of your goat's ration (all of the food it eats). For show goats: for this article, I'm speaking of commercial goats, not show goats. A couple of options from your local feed store may include hay stretcher pellets, or hay cubes. So I bought some I think it was Timothy, thats what he eats. I ended up giving the bales to the barn owner for one of her horses who will eat anything. The practice that a small coffee can of any feed weighs one pound most likely originated from the first coffee cans having one pound of coffee. Grass hay is generally a lot heavier than Alfalfa hay. They seemed to have many different compressed bales, so Im assuming they have Timothy and alfalfa too. 1st cutting is always between 700-750. A bale of Orchard Grass or Timothy Hay here (Northern California) is around $25. Great article and have found most if whats mentioned is similar to my experience. Some argue that horses should be able to eat hay all day, every day in order to keep their digestive tract functioning properly and consistently. Because you are feeding by weight rather than size, prescribing one flake is a little generic. When we calculated his old diet, each flake of hay averaged 5 pounds each. How much alfalfa cubes should weigh if you are about to eliminate the hay flakes from their food? So, its best to find a portable scale of some kinda fishing scale is an easy-to-find solutionand measure several flakes from different bales, carefully noting each weight. In recent years Ive been traveling the country with my horses, competing in rodeos and other events. According to research availability of nutrients and energy is the same as in hay cubes. There is an old question that has been around for a long time: how much does a flake of hay weigh? Hay is an important component of a balanced diet for many domestic animals, including horses, cows, goats, and sheep. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. And I love the ease of feeding with these tiny, compact and powerful flakes! I hope these points have cleared most of your doubts. To meet baseline dietary requirements, a horse requires half a bale of hay per day, according to a general rule. I breed horses and also have a boarding facility. Chewy is selling the compressed hay and with their free shipping on $49 and over and next day delivery Im tempted to try it. I still dont believe it. Once you have their weight recorded, weigh one days worth of hay per horse. Then, review your horses weights and body conditions again in about 30 to 45 days. Love the company. The entered volume of Graphite, flake in various units of volume. A password will be sent to your email address. Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Different species of grass will provide different weights, so keep an eye on the growth and density of the grass hay to determine the right amount of hay to buy. Protein Not Less Than 16% Im still not sure how this all works out and why a horse only needs 15 lbs a day of compressed hay but it is working for me. I also feed them soaked bermuda pellets and treat them oatmo. The Process of Harvesting Hay Types of Hay Storing and Feeding Hay Frequently Asked Questions Also, fresh hay is more likely to become moldy. An as everyone has said, it is SO much easier and convenient to feed. Related To Missie Flake. By storing hay properly and providing a consistent supply, you can ensure that your animals receive the necessary nutrition to maintain good health and wellbeing. Ive recently purchased rye grass hay on the recommendation of my vet and also found it at a great price ($9 bale) which for us in California is a great price for hay!! In Imperial or US customary measurement system, the density is equal to 40. . Never had a horse colic. They are not just fed to fill the tummy up but to treat several health issues as well. How to feed alfalfa cubes and hay flakes both at the same time? In a compressed bale, how much hay is there? I also weigh my horses hay each feeding. Great article! Five or six? Two or three? To simplify this concept, if you are feeding 10lbs hay flakes every day you have to replace it with alfalfa cubes equal to 10lbs weight. It depends on a regular diet or feeding only Alfalfa. Feeding by scoops or flakes will work as long as know the weight for the volume of feed that is being fed. You might be wondering: How much does a flake of alfie hay weigh? If you are feeding 100% hay and your hay contains 90% DM (or 10% moisture), your 1,000 lb horse should be fed 20 pounds of hay (18 lb DM/0.9) straight from the bale each day. Sometimes the bales can be a bit dry so I wet the flakes down when I feed. 4x3s stack better, but not as many people in my area have the equipment to . It is lower in protein and calcium than alfalfa, but higher in fiber, which is important for maintaining digestive health. It sounds like you are on the right track with plenty of forage for your horses. Feed 1.5 pound per 100 pounds of body weight is recommended in compressed bales, whereas feeding 2 pound per 100 pounds of body weight is recommended in non-compressed bales. If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact me. Weigh the amount of forage provided to each horse to ensure you are feeding the proper amount. Feb 14, 2016 (Edited by Moderator) For grass hay 3x3s for me it depends on the cutting. The amount, however, may vary depending on the horse and hay. I looking for a men want make business. Smaller square bales weigh fifty to seventy pounds and are used for small animals. It is usually 8- 9% protein as fed. How much does a flake of grass or other hay weigh? Half-ton bales weigh around 900 pounds. However, it does not necessarily mean that these two types of hay are not equal. I then switched to the full Timothy bales and full alfalfa bales and simply alternated them. so I am considering a switch to hay pellets. And, I gotta tell you, carrying the three, compressed flakes was much, much easier than carrying 3 regular flakes. There have been no noticeable dental problems. Tips for Feeding Compressed Bales: Always feed by weight not volume. Generally, alfalfa cubes are about 5lbs heavy so one alfalfa cube is equal to the 5lbs flake(the default size of a flake is 5lbs). The Feed Room is proudly brought to you by. It was this passion that led me to create my own business, Own the Horse, to help aspiring horse lovers learn the fundamentals of horse care and training. There are usually around 12 of them. NOTE: SOLD IN PALLETS LOTS ONLY! Slow-feeder nets and hay nets are not the same thing. The missing factor in this feeding puzzle is an estimation of how much each flake weighs. Your email has been subscribed. Grass hay is available in various shapes and sizes, including round, rectangular, and oat hay. As you know, baled hay is fed in flakes that vary in size and weight. There are several different types of hay, each with its own unique nutritional profile. The owner explained to me that the horse had been diagnosed with ulcers, so her vet recommended alfalfa hay. A horse should be fed small amounts of feed frequently due to its stomachs limited capacity. This press compacts hay from ordinary bales until getting two to three times heavier bales than usual ones of the same size. I love to solve equine health care issues and note down in the form of research papers. I was leery but my goats love it! Remember that the weight estimates given by Google are not accurate. Calculate your horse's weight. I board my two horses and for the life of me have the most difficult time in trying to explain to the owner the importance of weighing the feed. When buying hay for your horse, make sure to weigh it before buying it, as different types will be easier to handle and digest. From a more practical approach, lets compare a 90 lb bale of Bermuda grass hay to a 115 lb bale.
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