Wood chewing, cribbing, or eating from metal feeders is more likely for horses to wear their teeth. 1 Flake timothy hay 5lb@ x 4flakes per day = 20 pounds per dayx 800 calories = 16Mcal (16,000 calories), 1 Flake Alfalfa hay 3lb@ x 4 flakes per day=12 pounds per day x 1000 calories = 12Mcal (12,000 calories). In such circumstances, dry alfalfa cubes should be weighed according to the above-mentioned conditions they should then be soaked and fed. 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. I have MSc (Hons) in Agriculture from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Ask Horse Journal: Hay Pellets or Stretchers - Expert advice on horse Alfalfa Goes Way Back Forage for horses can be divided into two categoriesgrasses and legumes. You might be wondering: How much does a flake of alfie hay weigh? The amount of alfalfa cubes or hay cubes should be no more than 1.5 to two percent of your horses total weight. Thks, The Feed Room is proudly brought to you by, Grazing Muzzles A Good Tool for Easy Keepers. Required fields are marked *. If you can weigh a flake of alfalfa hay, then hang a bucket on a scale and add cup by cup of pellets to get the same weight as the flake you'll have an accurate . For each individual hay flake, the weight will be between five and eight pounds. Five or six? An average of the weights provides a representative estimate that can be used to determine consumption. 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. In review, her horses diet was calculated at 21.5 Mcal per day, based on his work schedule and body condition score: Since the horse weighed in at1000 pounds, we chose to go with 2% of his body weightper day in forage, or 20 pounds. Interesting I have had no issues at all with these Standlee compressed bales. | 22349 Kimberly Road, Suite E Kimberly, ID 83341 | 208-825-5117, Lower calories than alfalfa or mixed forages, Slow intake, stimulates chewing and minimizes digestive upset, Physical form allows visual inspection of quality and consistency. When a horse arrives at my facility, I ask how much the horse has been fed so I can start from there with their feed program. Armed with this new information, adding more flakes of hay tothe daily ration putthehorseright back on track. 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. I also thought these compressed bales would be great for someone of my size to bring home a few emergency bales without having to struggle with the beasts to get regular sized bales out of a truckbed and into the hay room. All About Feeding Horses Alfalfa - The Horse Even with the number of commercial feeds available today, there are still horse owners who mix their own ingredients to feed their horses. Gina T. Sally Boutiette, could you point me in the direction of Rye Hrass hay for sale?? I travel to shows and will grab a bale on the way out. Replace existing hay on a 1 to 1 basis with Standlee forage. The old hay had tested at 800 calories per pound. Im concerned that this is hurting the horses too. The hotter and dryer then less weight. The entered volume of Graphite, flake in various units of volume. You may also want to try a cube of alfalfa, which contains the same amount of energy and nutrients. It is a vital source of nutrition for animals that do not have access to pasture or other sources of fresh forage. However in this case, after 6-12 hours of expansion, you would then count approximately 22 flakes. Afterwards, simply average the weights to calculate the amount of hay your horse will eat in a week. Feed 1.5-2.5% of body weight in forage per day. Then, review your horses weights and body conditions again in about 30 to 45 days. Easy for me to get on my own. 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. Both bales were almost too heavy for me to lift with their square bulk, but I did get them into my Jeep fairly easily using the handydandy handle and some body leveraging. You should never feed the horse by volume: It is recommended to feed the horse by pounds. 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. One was Alfalfa/Timothy for $14.99 and the other was Timothy Grass for $17.99. They are heavy but I can manage them. Later in the season, however, I noticed the mix was not as fresh and had some dark brown sections of grass in it. Thank You! It is also a good source of energy, making it ideal for performance horses. By understanding these factors, farmers can better manage their crops and ensure they are getting the most value for their produce. Two flakes tomorrow might equal fifteen pounds. leafy alfalfa hay as well as broken up alfalfa/timothy cubes once a day. Five or six? there is often reduced feeding loss. It depends on a regular diet or feeding only Alfalfa. Horses can not go on a new diet in a day they take time to accept the change. So, I tried a Standlee compressed bale and was pleasantly surprised with the quality and weight of the bale. From what I have read here, the price is pretty great too- $19.99 everyday. I am about to buy 20 compressed bales of straight alfalfa for my weanling warmblood to mix with the regular grass hay. The comparison of volume and weight principle also applies to feeding hay. Once you have become accustomed to the expansion of the bale, you will likely not need to cut the bale in advance of feeding the forage, since you will be familiar with the product. NEVER FEED MOLDY OR INSECT INFESTED FORAGE TO HORSES. That was how we determined 4 flakes would reach the 2% or 20 pound feed rate. Naturally Sun-Cured Premium Western Timothy Grass Forage. A bale of Bermuda grass hay contains 16 flakes while a 115-lb bale contains 32 flakes. The average hay bale contains 16 flakes. Amazing. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, making it ideal for maintaining overall health. No fuss, no muss. When Im not riding, I love to spend my free time with my family and friends, camping, and fishing. Enough beating about the bush, lets help you in finding out the blue clues for todays topic. Table 1 provides the weight of one quart of several feedstuffs, the amount of energy per pound, and the total digestible energy for one quart of the respective feeds. However, I did question the feedings now because the bales are noticibly lighter than the last hay!! Similarly, if the hay is matured, it will be lighter and less dense. I have alfalfa and I need some men sell my alfalfa in USA. Hay nets are usually made with very large openings that can easily tangle your horse. I didnt weigh them, but I doubt they were only 50lbs. This complete price guide for hay can help you better estimate how much you need to spend on your horse's hay diet. The answer depends on the shape of the bale, its size, and moisture content. 1 Flake timothy hay 5lb@ x 4flakes per day = 20 pounds per dayx 800 calories = 16Mcal (16,000 calories), 1 Flake Alfalfa hay 3lb@ x 4 flakes per day=12 pounds per day x 1000 calories = 12Mcal (12,000 calories). 1 A bale of Orchard Grass or Timothy Hay here (Northern California) is around $25. It all depends on the individual horse and how much grass he gets. We have a community where you can connect fellow readers. As a result, it is important to consider the number of flakes per bale when shopping for hay for horses. For example, a bale of grass hay on the east coast may weigh 45-60 lbs compared to 90-130 lbs on the west coast. He devours it!! There are usually around 12 of them. Timothy hay is a good choice for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small herbivores. Im also an avid reader and enjoy learning more about the history and culture of the horse world. Cut the bands on compressed bales 8 to 10 hours before feeding to allow the bale to expand to avoid overfeeding. As you know, baled hay is fed in flakes that vary in size and weight. Not all alfalfa is GMO I will ask Standlee their practices. Bale sizes: Bale size: 3 string 100 # to 140# to 140# 22" x 15" x 44" Bale size: 2 string 40 # to 75 # 19" x 16" x 36" One ton bales: 2000# 4' x 4' x 8' Half ton bales: 1000# 3' x 4' x 6' Round bales: 850 to 1100# 4x4 or 4x5 Back to top Bleached: Sun bleached hay on the outside of a stack or bale. This ensures that the hay contains a good mix of leaves, stems, and seedheads, which are all important sources of nutrition for animals. I didnt leave a trail behind me and I could manage the flakes on one arm, easily. However, it does not necessarily mean that these two types of hay are not equal. She said if I could mix the orchard grass/alfalfa and then Timothy it would be best for him. Can a reasonable calculation be made with only this information? 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. 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. It can be made from a variety of different grasses and plants, including clover, alfalfa, and timothy grass, to name just a few. 4x3s stack better, but not as many people in my area have the equipment to . SUNDAY IS AMAZING IDEA DAY! Premium Timothy Compressed Bales are formed by allowing Standlee Premium Western Forage to grow to the proper stage of maturity, cutting the plants, allowing them to sun-cure (dry) to an acceptable moisture level and baling the forage at the optimal time. blocks. They were heavy! How many flakes of hay do you have in a bale, its also asked? There are many ways to find out. However, you should consider that some hay weighs more than others. We recommend that animals be fed by weight and not by volume; therefore if you are currently feeding 10lbs of alfalfa from a bale and changing to alfalfa pellets or cubes then you should feed 10lbs of alfalfa pellets or cubes. If you want to learn more about the price for a bale of hay, such as factors that affect hay bale price, keep reading. It is generally believed that hay flakes are 5lbs(and they are most of the time). My horses have been eating from hay nets for years. Never feed moldy or insect infested forage to horses. A two-stringed square bale of 36 inches by 19 inches by 16 inches weighs approximately forty pounds. 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. You havent magically made more hay, it has just expanded into normal flakes. You can also consult a professional to get a proper estimate of the weight. Weigh the amount of forage provided to each horse to ensure you are feeding the proper amount. 1 Flake timothy hay [email protected] x 4 flakes per day = 20 pounds per day, 800 calories = 16 milligrams (16,000 calories) 1 Flake Alfalfa hay [email protected] x 4 flakes per day = 12 pounds per day, 1000 calories = 12 milligrams (12,000 calories) How many flakes of hay should a horse consume? With those calculations in mind, how many flakes of timothy hay would the pony require daily? On the right, there is one flake of orch/timothy hay that weighs about 20 pounds. (1,000 kg) 8 by 4 by 4 feet. So, if a flake weighs around four pounds, youll have to feed five flakes to your thousand-pound horses every day. Within a cutting, there is more variation than there is between cuts. However, this number can vary considerably depending on the type of alfalfa and the amount of feed. Great article! I would also encourage free choice salt, if not already available. And or pasture. Alfalfa pellets, cubes, and hay provide the same essential nutrients per pound. Im also an active member of the equine community, often volunteering my time to help preserve and promote the culture of horsemanship. A bale of Orchard Grass or Timothy Hay here (Northern California) is around $25. So, I bought 4 more compressed bales and continued for another week. What brand did you try? Having the correct number of flakes in a bale is critical to maximizing the amount of hay you feed your horse each day. If the hay flakes can weigh more or less than 5lbs so do the alfalfa cubes. We can make a compress if is necessary.. HI: You wrote to the blogger, not the hay manufacturer. A flake of alfa hay can vary widely in weight, as some flakes are fluffy and others are densely packed. It cost more than feeding hay, but I knew he'd be healthier for it, and that was the whole point. Click here to find a Nutrena retailer near you. Did Caleb LeBlanc die here on October 1, 2015? I ended up giving the bales to the barn owner for one of her horses who will eat anything. I sleep better at night knowing he is getting the alfalfa and less chance of colic. Smaller flakes are easier for children and women to handle. Then a flake of orchard and a flake of Timothy. Each bale has 16 flakes. When we calculated his old diet, each flake of hay averaged 5 pounds each. Flakes of hay: How much to feed your horse? - Anderson Hay Although Ive 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. How much does a 3 quart scoop of grain weigh? One bale of hay can contain as little as three flakes or as much as 17. If you have a Wilco near you give them a call. When the, Copyright 2023 TipsFolder.com | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Feed Your Horse By Weight, Not Volume - Star Milling Co. 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. Over and under supplementation is a common problem that usually takes the horses to the vet so its important to feed the horse by pounds to maintain the same energy levels. The horses have never seemed bothered though. I still dont believe it. 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.,? 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. When you cut and remove the straps from the bale, as an example, you may count approximately 11 flakes. For show goats: for this article, I'm speaking of commercial goats, not show goats. Tips for Feeding Compressed Bales: Always feed by weight not volume. 2,200 pounds. No mess, no fuss pure, fresh honey. Frustration is a type of stress that must be avoided. Thanks! 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. Find nutritional information about the big two forage grasses; timothy and orchard grass. This is not true. A password will be sent to your email address. The missing factor in this feeding puzzle is an estimation of how much each flake weighs. The weight of a flake of grass hay depends on several factors, including the amount of moisture in the grass, the type of hay, and its maturity level. Please remember that Alfalfa is now a GMO product!! My equine related work is watering a lot of horse-related magazines and blogs. Freshly cut hay weighs less than it did when it was first cut, because it has more water than dried hay. Do you remember? It can vary from four to six pounds, depending on its type. With inexperienced young people the hay cubes filled to a certain level in a bucket insured consistency for each feeding. If youre not sure how much a flake of alfa hay weighs, ask your neighbor. Example: a large pony weighs 800 lb (365 kg) and could be expected to consume 12-16 lb (5.5-7 kg) of feed per day, with 8-12 lb (3.6-5 kg) of that forage. You see, one regular 100lb bale gives me 16 good flakes and 2 flimsy end pieces. 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). Simple examples of differences in measuring feed by weight vs volume are provided for comparison. Can anyone tell me if mold is ever a concern with the tax compressed orchard/alphalpha mix hay? Im guessing I should just watch their weight and make sure no one is loosing or would you have a better suggestion? I will definitely keep buying these. Half a bale? Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. This equates to 20 lbs of dry forage per day for a 1000 lb horse. Grasses you're likely familiar with include orchardgrass, timothy, and bermudagrass and are long. However, you should weigh every flake before feeding your horses. I love these!!! I dont think it was mold but did seem concerning. Later cuttings around 800. Two or three? Similarly, if the hay is matured, it will be lighter and less dense. The daily feeding rate is very low. Put the pellets in a bucket, cover with warm water, and then dump them into a large muck bucket and feed immediately. The answer is based on the general assumption of the alfalfa cubes and hay flakes weight. It is usually 8- 9% protein as fed. If you are feeding hay (or pasture) and a balance commercial feed mix to maintain your horses body condition score, then you are on the right path. I then opened the plastic wrapper with a hay knife easy. 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). To not colic, the best way is to feed three times a day. Equinedesire.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, endless.com, smallparts.com, myhabit.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. If youd like Standlees compressed hay, you need to go to The Process of Harvesting Hay Types of Hay Storing and Feeding Hay Frequently Asked Questions How Much Does A Flake Of Hay Weigh? - Pitch with Us She purchased some nice quality second cutting, and had the test results whichshowed the hayto be exceptional quality, and containing 1Mcal (1000 calories) perpound. Dont Flake Out: Feed Horse Hay by Weight, Not by Flake, Hot Blood, Warm Blood, Cold Blood in Horses, Possible Link Between Selenium and Cribbing in Horses, Steamed Hay for Horses: Protein Content Examined, Strangles in Horses: Survival of Causative Bacterium on Equipment, Fixtures, Laminitic Horses and Stress Hormone Profiles. Calculate how much to feed your horse by simply entering your horses weight below. Flakes are a thin, easy to separate rectangular portion of a horse bale. Includes Address (12) Phone (6) Email (2) See Results. I asked the owner if she had weighed a serving of the feed. Never feed moldy or insect infested forage to horses. (6 x $25 = $150), With the compressed bale, it says to feed 15 lbs a day. A couple of options from your local feed store may include hay stretcher pellets, or hay cubes. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Cut bales during the previous feeding to allow for expansion and be sure bale is placed in a large tub, wheelbarrow or something of that nature to keep the forage contained. My horse has Cushings and is very allergic to mold. So, this might not apply in other parts of the country. Never had a horse colic. a Tractor Supply or Google Standlee and find out where they sell it in your area. We couldn't be without it. Resources and insights for happy, healthy horses. For a 1000 lb horse, thats approximately 15-25 lbs per horse per day. I thought the horses would go for that first! He has a big bale of grass hay and I have started him on an all in one feed but he isnt eating real good right now. I cannot tell you how fast his weight improved and how hes pitching all his old mangy fur and new shiny coat is growing in. Measure your horses heart girth. Bales are made in the field with about 10 - 13 "clumps" of hay, it is safe to say that flake is a slice of a bale of 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. All Flakes of Hay are Not Created Equal | The Feed Room Orchard grass is a good choice for horses that are prone to allergies, as it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. The owner explained that she was feeding the same amount of hay as before, and since it was such good quality, it had to be a grain problem. The horses loved it and I loved it because it was so much easier for me to buy, offload and feed. Because you are feeding by weight rather than size, prescribing one flake is a little generic. Coming to the point, how many alfalfa cubes equal a flake? There is no nutritional difference between alfalfa pellets and cubes, so the choice between the two is based on which type your horses prefer and which you prefer to feed and store. 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. Alfalfa cubes are handier than hay flakes as they are much easier to measure and store. so I am considering a switch to hay pellets. 1 Flake timothy hay 5lb@ x 4 flakes per day = 20 pounds per day x 800 calories = 16Mcal (16,000 calories) 1 Flake Alfalfa hay 3lb@ x 4 flakes per day = 12 pounds per day x 1000 calories = 12Mcal (12,000 calories) With that simple change in hay, she had cut her horse's caloric intake by 4,000 calories per day over the past month. The hay you buy at a feed or livestock supplier may be analyzed before being sold. Alfalfa hay is harvested in three or four round bales. For a 1000 lb horse, that's approximately 15-25 lbs per horse per day. As an example, if you count 22 flakes in the bale (number of akes may vary), you would divide 50# by 22 flakes and the flakes would average 2.27# each. Invalid email, please try again. If compared to a 110 pound bale of west coast grass hay averaging 16 flakes per bale, then each flake would weigh 6.9 lb. One regular 100lb bale, for example, yields 16 good flakes and two flimsy end pieces. 1st cutting is always between 700-750. If you are feeding only Alfalfa cubes then 1.5 to 2% of body weight is enough. However I was a little lost on how good it would be so thank you for your honest review we will try 2 bales on our two horses (Nina and Poe) we how it goes. How much does a flake of grass or other hay weigh? When buying hay for your horse, make sure to weigh it before buying it, as different types will be easier to handle and digest. The weight of a flake of grass hay depends on several factors, including the amount of moisture in the grass, the type of hay, and its maturity level. E-ZPASS transponders are available for, Cooking time for refrigerated (soft) tortellini: 2 to 3 minutes, frozen tortellini: 3 to 5 minutes, and dried tortellini: 10 to 11 minutes. The daily nutrient requirements are based on body weight and production level, such as growth, pregnancy, lactation and activity. Measure around the midsection, immediately behind the elbow and withers. 2023 Standlee Premium Products, LLC All Rights Reserved. I also feed them soaked bermuda pellets and treat them oatmo. Bermuda hay, on the other hand, contains a high percentage of fiber, which helps horses digest the food and absorb the nutrients. Sign up for free now! She purchased some nice quality second cutting, and had the test results whichshowed the hayto be exceptional quality, and containing 1Mcal (1000 calories) perpound. . To purchase flakes of hay follow this link. I usually buy coastal hay! Im Jack Johnson, a proud Texan and passionate horse lover. what does a flake of hay weigh? Archives | The Feed Room It is lower in protein and calcium than alfalfa, but higher in fiber, which is important for maintaining digestive health. Feed 1.5-2.5% of body weight in forage per day. I use the compressed alfalfa hay in the winter when my horses need extra protein.