Hay for the cows

As the grass stops growing and the resulting quality diminishes due to either fall/winter weather or drought, it becomes important to supplement the cows' menu with some hay.  After inspecting the pasture this weekend, I felt it was time we roll them out a bale as we want them in good condition for the up-coming weather.  Similar to squirrels putting away acorns for the winter (only in this case WE'RE the ones preparing!), we plan ahead.  We have 2 types of hay stored up for them.  We have round bales of bermuda/bahai mix and square bales of quality bermuda "horse hay".  The idea we go with is to roll out a round bale and put a ring around it and allow them a free choice "all you can eat buffet."  With the higher quality hay, we'll control the portion sizes.

Once the girls saw that we were rolling out hay, they became curious (hungry) and Tricia and Benjamin had to shoo them away from the gate.


Did someone ring the dinner bell?

We have the round bales stored outside of the fenced-in pasture and the square bales stored in the loft of the barn, so the gluttonous bovines don't get after it.  Russ, Benjamin and I began to roll a bale into the pasture.  It takes at least two people as the bales are quite heavy.  We discovered that in addition to the cows liking to eat the hay, fire ants like to build their mounds in it.  The bale we're pushing was full of fire ants and they tore us up!   


Action shot of moving the hay

It is very important to have a hay ring to put around the hay to protect the bale.  Cows have notorious bad eating habits and will waste/ruin more hay than you can imagine.  They step on it.  They scatter it.  They urinate and poop on it.  The ring helps to regulate their bad table manners and force good etiquette.
 

With this ring...

You can see that the cows got right down to business on this bale of hay.  The chickens jump on it as well.  I'm sure there are numerous bugs that made their home in the bale, like the ants, that served up a nice banquet for the hens. 


Rosie and Daisy feasting

Here is Daisy with a mouthful of hay.  I think the old girl is saying "Thank you."


Mmmmm

If you notice, the cows always attack the very center of the haybale.  I think the center is most protected from the weather and is the freshest hay.  I do the same with cinnamon rolls.  Seems like most of the good cinnamon, nuts and good stuff is in the center.


The good stuff is in the middle

In order to protect the bales of hay from the weather, we cover them with a large tarp.  In this case, it is a billboard sign that my dad let me borrow.  It makes a perfect protective covering for the hay.



Protective covering for the hay

 In just one day, they've really made a dent in the hay.  They've hardly strayed from the hay to the pasture.



Chomp, chomp, chomp!

They need to pace themselves.  They are acting like me at Thanksgiving Dinner!