We just finished cleaning out the hay barn. It was a nightmare...the
new ****pments had been stacked on old ****pments for so long that the
"floor" was comprised of two dozen moldy bales sitting on moldy carpet
over wire fencing (to keep out digging varmints) over dirt. Thank
goodness the owner finally realized we were serious and got out his
tractor.
So. We now have a well-ventilated 20' x 20' x 16' high hay barn,
metal on two sides and the roof, plywood on the third side, with huge
sliding metal doors on the front and a nearly level dirt floor. Owner
is notoriously cheap but seems to be willing to pay for something that
will result in minimal hay wastage--but he won't pay for a concrete
floor and refuses to use pallets. Board just went up $20/month due to
hay costs so taking up a collection among the boarders would be
difficult. Also, the next hay ****pment is expected next Tuesday so we
don't have a lot of time.
The best idea we came up with was: put the wire back down, fill with
two truckloads (about a foot deep) of 3/4" rock, another layer of
wire, then the hay on top. Blow all the old hay wisps out whenever a
new ****pment is expected.
Whaddya think? We get lots of rain but only for 4 months a year, so
we figure the wire will keep the rock from sinking, the rock will keep
the bottom of the hay dry, and the wire on top of the rock will help
keep it from ****fting under the hay cart (and make it easier to clean,
since less hay will drift between the rock).
Any and all ideas welcome and very much appreciated.
Jeannie
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