STORING HORSE FEED

Concentrate feed should be stored in a dry environment in a tightly sealed tub or container. The feed should be protected from direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes. Storing concentrate feeds in the stable is usually not recommended because of fluctuating temperatures and high humidity levels. Even if the feed is stored in a covered wheelie bin feeder, the feeder should always, in-between feeds, be kept in a dry area with an even temperature. Any crushing and sheering of feeds on-site should take place away from the stable environment as it tends to produce a lot of dust. Feed kept in a bag or sack should always be stored in a dry place indoors. It is normally not enough to store feeds under roof. Feed kept in areas where the temperature fluctuates a lot usually get damaged due to the high level of condensation. A metal roof shed, for example, will get very hot in the day, especially if the sun is shining, and then much colder at night. The risk of condensation forming in the feed is very high during certain parts of the year. Furthermore, bags or sacks of feed should never be stored in direct contact with a concrete floor. In storage areas where the floor is of concrete, the feed bags/sacks should either be placed on pallets or some other type of ventilated material.

Hay should be stored in a dry, well ventilated and dark place. As with concentrate feeds, hay should be protected against fluctuating temperatures that may cause condensation. Special hay covers or tarpaulins may be used to keep the hay dry. Another tip is to stack smaller bales of hay in layers and use the bales mostly exposed to moisture first. Forage feed wrapped in plastic should be kept out of reach of animals and in a place where the plastic is unlikely to get damaged. Like other feeds, forage feed wrapped in plastic should be kept away from direct sunlight.