Growing Orchard Grass/Timothy

[Big Tom]

I would leave it lay on one side in the sun for a day before I turned it over. You want the leaves to get kind of crunchy before you turn it. In the fields, if I turn it to early, it seems to take longer to get it to dry. I think of it as drying almost all the way through one side, then when I turn it over it only has a little ways to go before it is dry. I'm not sure about the pans as I've never done anything like that before. Just keep it fluffed, not packed, that way the air can get through it. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[Demamma]

When I harvested legume hay at my friends I let the hay dry about 3 days on each side. Good luck in your harvest. I had some wheat grow up in my backyard from the rabbit waste I wish I could let it continue to grow. Unfortunately we have weed abatement and if I don't watch out the city cuts it for me then charges me.

 

[feraltydreaming]

Well, the hay seems to be drying alright...despite it being 50'F here today and yesterday...random. Though I do have another question:

How will I know when the hay is dry enough to start "baling"?

*goes to figure out how she is going to "bale" this small amount of hay, Laughs*

Respectfully,
-FD-

 

[Demamma]

I shoved my hay into rabbit feed bags when it was dry. Amazing how much will fit in a bag with a good shove.

 

[feraltydreaming]

The feed sack idea is great. Thank you.

Now, if someone could offer input as to how I will know when this hay is dry enough, that would be doubly great *laughs*. We have had sun all day today even if it is a bit cool, and I can definitely tell a difference. It is getting crunchier but not brown or anything of that nature...it still looks quite green but not as green as it was yesterday. I just do not want to let it get to the point where I have dried it too much and it is useless for feeding, hnece my question.

Respectfully,
-FD-

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

You want the stalks to bend without crumbling apart/breaking.If yu put the new hay in mesh bags, the air can continue to circulate and the grasses will continue to dry. I beleive the desired mooisture level is about 10%. Most faremres around here cut and bale the same day

 

[Big Tom]

Using your thumb nail, scratch the stalk. If it peals and looks bright green inside (like it did when you first cut it) it's still a little wet. It should kind of flake off if it's dry. You can also break open the stalks and be able to tell if it's dry or not. You can't over dry it. Some farmers don't like it to dry as the baler tends loose a lot of the leaves, but that is mostly with alfalfa.

 

[feraltydreaming]

Thank you once again, Big Tom. You have been extremely helpful in providing me with good indicators at every stage of this little venture and I greatly appreciate it. *laughs* I have put a lot of hay up into barns for friends, family, and random strangers that needed help, but this little project has helped me to see the work that goes into the actual process before the end result. This little hay patch does not remotely resemble the acreage that a farm would go through and I am not using the same equipment, obviously, but I love seeing at least some of the steps involved in getting grass from that point to the point where the hay is put up and fed.

I appreciate all that have helped to guide me in this little project. That you all!

Respectfully,
-FD-

 

[Big Tom]

You're so welcome. I have to admit that I laughed out loud when you said you put it in pans and brought it inside to keep it out of the rain. I wish I could do that when I cut 30 acres and then the weatherman changes his forecast from "0% chance of rain the next three days" to "a small front will be moving through tomorrow morning, bringing with it a small shower, but nothing that will ruin the rest of your day". I hate when they do that.

 

[feraltydreaming]

*laughs* When I typed that up, Tom, I was thinking "every hay farmer is going to fall out of their chair laughing when they read this". That is one advantage of having such a small area. Though, if I want to feed more than about two rabbits for any length of time, I will definitely require a larger area next year. I just wanted to see how this worked with a smaller area first since I have never done it before.

Something tells me that I am going to miss that ability to get it out of the rain next year though *grins*...especially as much as it likes to rain in Tennessee.

I gave some of the hay to one of my rabbits yesterday...she is not dead and her pellets are still firm, so those are positive marks, I suppose. Also, the hay does not fee hot or warm, so that is also good.

The only thing that I am worried about is that it has been overcast and sprinkling most of the day. I went out into the building where I have the hay stored and it feels cool...not really damp or cold...just cool, so I am not certain how normal that is? Note: The building is a wooden well-house (above ground) but it does not have any leaks in the roof or anywhere else. The hay is in one of those nylon mesh feed sacks...a lot of holes for air circulation in other words. I was under the impression that such was fine, but please correct me if I am wrong.

Respectfully,
-FD-

 

[Big Tom]

The mesh bag should work great. Most old barns are not air tight and this helps the hay finish drying that last little bit. Cool and dry is fine. I have horse customers that won't feed any hay until the hay has had time to cure. I don't know if there is any truth to this or if it's just an old tradition. I've never heard of anyone having troubles feeding it straight away though.

 

[Apple Cider]

Big Tom - I've been lurking on this thread since the beginning and I want to thank you for all the good info. you have provided. I'm sure many of us have benefited from your knowledge.

 

[Big Tom]

Your so welcome. I've been learning how to care for my rabbits on this site and was excited to find a topic that I actually know about.