Hay nets

[Simkie]

I use these shires nets, which I love. The large one takes an entire small bale easily and the price point just can’t be beat.

Deluxe Haylage Net | Shires Equestrian Inc

But I’ve got this horse that really needs smaller holes. I’ve used the shires greedy feeder net but even the large one doesn’t take an entire bale.

So. Looking for a net with 1 - 1 1/4 inch ish holes that can easily take a full small bale. I’m grumbly about having to drop so much more $$ compared to my typical shires option. Bah.

Any feedback on any of these nets, or recommendations for others?

$65, not super keen on the long side opening

Large Knotless Slow Feed Hay Net

$53, although maybe the long bale size would be a better choice

Standard Hay Bags - Hay Burners Equine LLC

$82.50 (cost alone makes this tough unless it’s THAT much better)

The Colorado Bale Net

$55 but smallest holes are 1.5"

Square Bale Hay Net / Feeder Net | Horse & Goat Hay Feeders | Texas Haynet

$70

Hay Chix® 2-Strand Bale Net (Small Bale Net)

Durability & ease of loading an entire bale are key.

[Lolliver]

I can tell you we’ve got the Hay Burners nets for our mini, who is NOT gentle on nets. The quality is very good and their customer service is exceptional. I will replenish with them in the future.

[trubandloki]

Could you just add a second hay bag (double layer) of the cheaper style that you like?

I have one of the Texas haynet products and have been happy with them, but they have the larger hole.

I had a bad costumer service experience with Hay Chix so I will never recommend them.

[endlessclimb]

That’s what I would recommend - the double bag.

EDIT: That said, I have 3 hay chix nets that I rotate through and I don’t have an issue with them personally.

[Simkie]

I have tried doubling up the nets, but it winds up being much too challenging. I just need to limit her a little more than what’s she’s got now. The greedy feeder is a good hole size, but I’m so over having to fill it every day. It’s just so much easier to feed entire bales at a time!

@Lolliver the price on the hay burners is certainly attractive, and that’s great to hear you’ve been happy with yours. Do you happen to have the bale net? Any feedback on the size of it, if so?

@trubandloki I remember you sharing about your issues with the haychix nets in the past. Definitely not excited about that sort of experience :-/

@endlessclimb that’s great you’ve not had problems with yours, though. Did you ever consider other brands? How’d you decide to go with haychix?

[endlessclimb]

I got their corner feeder rings for a barn I was boarding at, and liked the quality of the nets that were attached to them. At that same boarding barn I had a horse who benefitted from 24/7 access to hay and hanging a full bale was the easiest, so I got their full bale net. When I was prepping for bringing the horses home here, I got two more to be able to rotate and have a spare.

So, no, I really didn’t even consider other full-bale brands, honestly. Just stuck with what worked!

[Simkie]

Yeah, I’m certainly all about the full bale thing, too. So much easier. Have you been happy with the size of their full bale net?

The shires net is generous enough to make it super easy to load. Sure don’t want to spend more on a hassle! (I’d be so bitter about that, haha.)

[endlessclimb]

Oh yeah, it’s got plenty of room. My bales are stemmy/fat first cutting and I have no issues at all.

[trubandloki]

I admit, what I do is put a couple of bales into my round bale net. Way easy to fill because it is so over sized for the job.

Finding one of those with smaller holes will probably cost more than a full bale net.

[luvmyhackney]

I use the Shires Greedy Feeder for my goats and pony. 1.25” holes. It can fit pretty close to a small bale minus a flake or two in the large size.

[trubandloki]

Would This One be big enough?

I do not know this brand at all, just came across it and I kind of like the design.

[barnesthenoble]

I can’t speak to the Hayburners bale nets, but I have their topper nets for our hay basket and rubbermaid tubs and LOVE them. My horses are absolutely deadly on nets and go through Hay Chix nets in about a year. The Hayburners are going on year 2 with no repairs needed. knock wood

I’ve used and liked many Haychix full bale nets, the closure is pretty user friendly. My horses just destroy them.

[Simkie]

@barnesthenoble

My horses are absolutely deadly on nets and go through Hay Chix nets in about a year. The Hayburners are going on year 2 with no repairs needed. knock wood

Ah, that’s fab. Great feedback, thank you! It sounds like maybe this is the way to go. I think I might try that long bale net. It does chafe a bit to be in over 70 bucks for this net with shipping & everything when my regular shires nets are usually less than $20. Grumble grumble. Fat horses are expensive, haha.

@trubandloki I’ve seen that net and similar on Amazon and reviews are just so mixed. I’m set up now for nets that drawstring at the top, on the short side, and shifting that would be a hassle. I could, for something that was really stellar. But don’t want to upset the whole flow for a flyer.

@luvmyhackney yeah, I’ve used the greedy feeder nets for this horse and others over the years. I find the large ones to take maybe 2/3rds of a bale, and am just soooo over having to fill it daily. I’m looking for something large enough to take an entire bale easily, like the red and black shires nets I use otherwise. I wish shires made them in an xl size!

[luvmyhackney]

I use the Shires red and black bags as well. The holes are too big for my goats and they climb up them and get stuck. Then they scream for me to rescue them.

Greedy feeders are cheap and easy enough to fill.

[FjordBCRF]

While I only have one pony I have an obscene amount of haynets because he needs his hay weighed so I prep a weeks worth at a time.

I have had great success with Hay Chix and they make a 1” extreme slow feed. I have the half bale and a full bale.

I also have a few 3/4” knotless Gutzbustas and I think I may start buying those when I need to replace anything. I think they do give him slightly more chew time than the Chix…nothing significant and I like how soft they are. The caveat with them, is if you soak your hay they get super heavy. Much moreso than the Chix nets do. I also don’t like the rope they come with and bought extra Hay Chix ropes and stopper thingys for them.

[Simkie]

@luvmyhackney

Greedy feeders are cheap and easy enough to fill.

Yeah, but they don’t take a full bale. I’m looking for something that does. I’ve used the greedy feeder plenty in the past. I’m tired of filling it every day. I fill my other nets twice, maybe three times, a week. With a full bale. That’s what I want.

@FjordBCRF good to know about the smaller hole options! That sucks though that the gutzbusta has a crappy rope. How do you like that long side opening?

[paintedpennypony]

Seconding this. Our 150 gal stock tank can hold two ~60lb square bales with the Hay Burner net over it. One bale will last 1 day and two bales lasts 2.5 days for two horses with very little waste. Hugely beneficial and saves time, money, hay, and effort!

[Pico_Banana]

I’m very jealous of you who can put out that much hay at once! It rains so often here that I only use the haychix half bales nets and put out 4 in different stock tanks for my three horses. Lots of labor . . . .

[Simkie]

@Pico_Banana

I’m very jealous of you who can put out that much hay at once! It rains so often here that I only use the haychix half bales nets and put out 4 in different stock tanks for my three horses. Lots of labor . . . .

Oh, this is for the inside overnight hay. No risk of getting wet!

[FjordBCRF]

@Simkie

@FjordBCRF good to know about the smaller hole options! That sucks though that the gutzbusta has a crappy rope. How do you like that long side opening?

Yeah, the ropes that came with mine were stiff/plasticy and you had to fight them a bit. The opening is fine, I fill them with a muck tub like a regular net. They are easy to open and fill!