Hay Barn Design

[Texas G@l]

We're thinking about building a hay barn/shed for storing round bales. This is something totally new for us; we've never build anything specifically for hay storage. Any design suggestions, advice, etc???

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Build is 2x as big as you think you'll need because it'll fill up quick. Ha

 

[Texas G@l]

Build is 2x as big as you think you'll need because it'll fill up quick. Ha

Ain't that the truth about any barn??!!

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

around here, I see a lot of people putting up "hoop" buildings. Concrete or wood sides about 5' high and hoop covers.

 

[Dave]

Here people just build a pole building roof with no sides on it.

 

[SmokinM]

Build it bigger than you think you need.

Think about accessibility and how you will move things in and out. I have an old chicken house I use. It is great but it is 400' from one end to the other and one way in and out. Yes it will hold 1000 rolls but the ones at the far end are a beast to get in and out. When you stack hay I find it stacks better on end so build it high enough to stack 3 rolls IMO. Also use your bale diameter to determine size. If you bale 4x5 bales you don't want it 39' wide you want 42' wide so you get 8 rolls plus a little wiggle room. If you plan to put hay in from the side rather than the ends just size your bays as big as possible. Trying to stuff it in between post that are 12' on center is a b@#$h. Spend the $ to beef up posts and headers to get as much span as possible between them.

Climate will really determine design but generally more air flow the better so open or partially open sides tend to be best and being in Texas with the heat a good A roof with a vented ridge to pull out the heat will help. Also build it in a way positive drainage away from the barn is easy to do.

Just a few thoughts /opinions. Best of luck. Barns are always money well spent if they are well thought out.

 

[Brute 23]

I always thought those round, air hanger type barns were perfect for hay so you could stack round side to round side. A lot of the people that use traditional barns or cover flip the bales on the end.

 

[sstterry]

around here, I see a lot of people putting up "hoop" buildings. Concrete or wood sides about 5' high and hoop covers.

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Project (from the tobacco settlement). Will pay for a percentage of those Quonset type barns for hay storage.

 

[coachg]

Pole barn ; you can add on the sides for equipment storage. Like several have said build it bigger than you think you should. Ours is similar to this but with only 1 add on the sides. Plus ours is taller . I can get 3 rolls high and could go 4 if my tractor reached that high .

 

[coachg]

Here's one without the add ons on the sides. I had some metal that was given to me and covered the side away from the add on . Wind blows from that direction and blows in rain.

 

[4hfarms]

We built a 20x30 and wish it was 2x the size. Wouldn't fit where it is if it was bigger, but beside the point. Going to build another 30x40 with lean to for the lower field.

 

[MtnCows93]

those steel trusses are the way to go! and you can get them 60 feet wide or even wider. I've built one myself and 1 helper did it by ourselves it was fairly easy

 

[Travlr]

We're thinking about building a hay barn/shed for storing round bales. This is something totally new for us; we've never build anything specifically for hay storage. Any design suggestions, advice, etc???

Make sure it's on some elevation. Even if it's only minimal compared to surrounding ground. Make sure there is drainage away from any hay storage.

 

[Stonewall Joe]

Build is 2x as big as you think you'll need because it'll fill up quick. Ha

you're right about that. We're building a new one this year. My friend has a garage door company nd he's been giving me the 16' doors they have been changing out, they're all metal and even though I may have to change some measurements for my side purlins or decide if I just want to use them to go pole to pole, I think they'll make a pretty strong structure.

 

[Texas G@l]

I appreciate the feed back! Thanks!

 

[Lonesome Pine]

Make sure it's on some elevation. Even if it's only minimal compared to surrounding ground. Make sure there is drainage away from any hay storage.

Hi there, we have successfully used skids to stack our hay up away from the ground...we nab them for free.

 

[cfpinz]

Pole barn ; you can add on the sides for equipment storage. Like several have said build it bigger than you think you should. Ours is similar to this but with only 1 add on the sides. Plus ours is taller . I can get 3 rolls high and could go 4 if my tractor reached that high . View attachment 53808

I wouldn't recommend parking any piece of equipment with an electrical system under a lean-to off the side of a hay barn, the mice/rats would have a field day with it.

 

[WFfarm]

around here, I see a lot of people putting up "hoop" buildings. Concrete or wood sides about 5' high and hoop covers.

Around us, your property tax assessment increase is a lot less with a fabric hoop building than a similarly sized pole barn.

 

[Travlr]

Hi there, we have successfully used skids to stack our hay up away from the ground...we nab them for free.

Yeah, I've used pallets too. It's better to have a building with the floor pitched to drain and high enough that any surrounding water doesn't crawl under the sides.

 

[10-e-c-dirtfarmer]

I saw some pictures of fabric hoop building on top of shipping containers.