snuffy
Cave Dweller 
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Apr 29, 2018 16:01:57 GMT -5
We have been busy baling hay almost everyday now.Have really enjoyed watching hawks following us as we go.We counted 16 yesterday,but didn't have my camera with me.Brought it today.They know its feeding time when we arrive!  They like the birds eye view from the round bales  This one had just swooped down on a mouse.Saw the mouse as the hawk flew off  Same one making sure it had it.    Caracara,Mexican buzzard  Thanks for looking. snuffy |
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Post by MsAli on Apr 29, 2018 17:21:38 GMT -5
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing
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Post by HankRocks on Apr 29, 2018 20:48:01 GMT -5
Looks like a good crop of Hay, and the Hawks get treated to a buffet!!
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Post by Pat on Apr 29, 2018 21:23:05 GMT -5
How do you get the hay into that shape AND MAKE IT STAY IN THAT SHAPE? Do you roll it someplace to feed the chickens or cows?
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 29, 2018 21:38:15 GMT -5
Great pictures, thanks! We have a pair of Harris Hawks nesting in the tree in our yard. They nested here last year, too. It was awesome watching the baby hawks take their first flight, hang out in the yard and take showers in the sprinklers. They also kept the doves away!  |
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Apr 29, 2018 21:38:23 GMT -5
How do you get the hay into that shape AND MAKE IT STAY IN THAT SHAPE? Do you roll it someplace to feed the chickens or cows? The round baler rolls it up tight with big rubber belts,and then wraps it with nylon netting.Haul it with hay forks on a tractor to where we stack it end to end.Cow feed. I will have some long hours putting it where it goes.The old saying, make hay while the sun shines! snuffy |
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Post by Pat on Apr 29, 2018 22:05:57 GMT -5
snuffy I didn’t believe the bit about the nylon. Looked it up. Neat!! There are square balers as well. Couldn’t actually see the nylon, but figure it is put on as the bail exits the little bale machine. Opinion? Thanks.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Apr 29, 2018 22:28:17 GMT -5
snuffy I didn’t believe the bit about the nylon. Looked it up. Neat!! There are square balers as well. Couldn’t actually see the nylon, but figure it is put on as the bail exits the little bale machine. Opinion? Thanks. Pat,the square bales are bound with 2 strands of baling wire. |
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Post by amygdule on Apr 29, 2018 23:12:23 GMT -5
Bucking 2 string 50 pound bales is Work.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Apr 30, 2018 7:04:40 GMT -5
Bucking 2 string 50 pound bales is Work. Years back,a custom baler would not survive making 50 lb bales.Farmers hiring them wanted heavier bales,saving them money.When you can hardly get your fingers under the wires,lookout! |
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360 
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Post by lookatthat on Apr 30, 2018 12:57:54 GMT -5
You have to watch with the heavy square bales, especially troublesome here in the northeast. Hay baled wet (ie, not fully dried/cured before baling) will ferment in the middle. The mold formed will sicken some animals, especially horses. Worst case scenario -- square bales put up wet creates enough heat through fermentation to spontaneously combust, burning your barn down. Not a 'rural legend'. I myself have put my hand into bales that were hot enough to cause burns.
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Post by aDave on Apr 30, 2018 14:01:53 GMT -5
You have to watch with the heavy square bales, especially troublesome here in the northeast. Hay baled wet (ie, not fully dried/cured before baling) will ferment in the middle. The mold formed will sicken some animals, especially horses. Worst case scenario -- square bales put up wet creates enough heat through fermentation to spontaneously combust, burning your barn down. Not a 'rural legend'. I myself have put my hand into bales that were hot enough to cause burns. Same thing can happen with grains as well if they are stored not fully cured. If you really want to get in the weeds, the term for this happening is microbial thermogenesis.  I know what you mean about bales being hot enough to burn. I actually went to a barn fire in an equestrian area in Los Angeles many years ago. The unburned bales were so hot, I couldn't tolerate putting my hand into them. |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,063 
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 30, 2018 16:04:22 GMT -5
Crop Circles! Bring on the Ancient Aliens guy with the funny hairdo!
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