Hay ring vs unrolling.

[wsessions1005]

Ok we have always used hay rings. I don't understand the benefits of unrolling. To me it would waste a lot of hay. What dose everyone think.

 

[MIKE R]

I've only heard of unrolling when the cattle are in stanchions. Have a row on each side and unroll the bale between the two. Its easier then giving flakes of hay to each cow. Unrolling it outside would just be a waste. They will poop and lay on it. Rings are the most common up around here.

 

[wsessions1005]

I can see the benefits in a situation like that.

 

[bigbull338]

unrolling out in the pasture is just wasting hay,because as cattle eat they are going to walk on oee an mess on it.as well as lay on it.with rings you have very little waste where as unrolling you have 40% waste in my eyes or more.

 

[Egbert]

Unrolling will definitely waste a lot of hay. As Mike R pointed out, the cows will ruin it.

 

[Tx Jim]

I think amount of hay wasted will be determined by how many cows a person is feeding per bale of hay. My neighbor rolls out one bale of hay for 30 cows with calves and has very little waste. I on the other hand only have 12 cows and I put hay rings around the bales. How often one feeds and how much also determines amount of hay wasted

 

[corl]

Hay rings waste about 15% of the hay. Unrolling is cow number dependent. If you have lots of cows it is less stressful and wasteful to the cows to unroll. More space to get to the hay. With round bale feeders you can only get a certain number of cows fed at a time. If you unroll more hay than the cows will quickly eat they will poop and lay down in the hay wasting more than the 15% lost in the feeder situation.

 

[AndersonFarm]

I think amount of hay wasted will be determined by how many cows a person is feeding per bale of hay. My neighbor rolls out one bale of hay for 30 cows with calves and has very little waste. I on the other hand only have 12 cows and I put hay rings around the bales. How often one feeds and how much also determines amount of hay wasted

Just what I was thinking. I know people that unroll, but they are feeding a large number of cattle. They like it due to the less waste and they say it helps re-seed their pasture at the same time.

 

[D7E]

We have done both and i see no difference in waste if not over fed . Feed small amount twice a day they eat it ALL .

 

[Soundguy]

i ring em.. keeps more of the poop and pee off.

only way I'd unroll is if I was feeding a line of cattle... and that wouls still be with a reach thru wall.