How to Build a Hay Shed

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A proper hay shed or hay barn requires an overhang that prevents rain from falling directly onto the bale.

Designed for long-term use with an expected lifespan of 25 years or more, a well-made hay shed is designed for durability and a low maintenance expense. The walls can be constructed of concrete block, wood frame with plywood sheathing or metal stud framing with aluminium siding. Because hay sheds are highly durable, most people prefer metal hay sheds as they require little maintenance. Hay shed designs using concrete blocks or timber studs offer additional insulation from cold winds in winter and hot sun in summer.

To start building a hay shed, first determine the total size of the shed you need. Measure the length and width of the area in which you want to locate the shed. Allow a minimum of 10 feet between structures or trees so that tractors can easily pull large equipment into position. For longer sheds requiring a centre aisle, allow at least 20 feet between structures or trees.

The dimensions of the shed will depend on the height of your hay bales and the size of your tractor. Allow for enough clearance to open doors on the front and back permanently and wide enough to pull containers in through each door. There should be ample area to feed the animals.

How tall should a hay shed be?

When constructing hay sheds, remember that a hay shed should be tall enough to store bales in a stack. An overhang for the hay sheds at the front of the building prevents water from running off the roof and falling directly onto the bales. This overhang is normally about 8 feet high but will vary depending on your climate and what suits you best. The overhang should extend from the top of the wall down to the ground. This overhang for the hay sheds should be angled slightly to allow a small amount of water to run off the front of the roof and also extend further forward than the rear extension of the roof so that water cannot collect on top.

The maximum height for storing straw bale in hay sheds is 8 feet, but you can store them at any height up to this. For round or square bales, it is important to store them off the ground. Also, consider what kind of vehicle will be used to transport hay from the field into your barn. If it has tall tires or lifts high when loaded with hay, you may need to consider building a taller storage area.

You might need council approval to build a hay shed, or even just a large shed.

How much space do you need to store 100 bales of hay?

Typical round bales are about 1.2 meters in diameter and take up about 2.5 square metres or 3 square metres. A standard rectangular bale is about 0.7m x 1.2m x 1.75m, measuring 4 cubic metres. The hay bales can be stacked in hay sheds in rows four high on an average width aisle to take up 16 cubic metres of space, which means 80 bales per stack or 160-200 bales in a two-aisle structure with 6 stacks on each side. Sheds or barns should also have areas to store machinery. Generally, farmers create pallets in a barn to protect the fodder from moisture.