Input please on hay storage building

NEIADan · Jan 31, 2014

I have talked myself into thinking I need to store more hay inside. I am thinking a shed 60 x 100-120 x 18. I usually raise 100 to 200 acres of hay in either 5x6 rounds or 3x3x7 squares. I only have room for 35o max big squares now. Definetely need more equipment space At least room for a couple semi trailers. Here in Northeast Iowa the weather can be tough on hay. My question is would you build this building completely tight with doors and full side walls or utilize a full open sidewall with maybe 3 or 4 ft of steel at the top. Option 3 is build three sided and just have one long side with 18 ft bays completely open. I already have a 120 x 165 cement slab that has slope enough to handle moisture issues. Second question how do you guys feel about ridge vents or cupolas versus the vented ridge cap. I am concerned about condensation and don't want to make good hay only to have it spoil in storage. We sell 100% of what we raise so need to minimize the weathered looking hay. Thanks for any thoughts

IaGary · Jan 31, 2014

#1 if you leave it open to the south or east(3 sided) no need for ridge vents.

#2If you leave it open with 18 foot openings you can store different types of hay in each bay and get to them when needed.

#3If you leave it 3 sided the hay will cure better.

I guess I would leave it open on one side.

Gary

rick n ohio · Jan 31, 2014

couple years ago i ran outta room in my 3 sided shed so i put the last 5 rounds and about 30 small squares in a pole barn with all the doors closed.it all molded i had alot moisture everywhere not just in the hay but on the walls and some equipment.i still store hay in it but i do leave the doors open when i can most of the time.
RICK

GordoSD · Jan 31, 2014

Three sides all the way to the ground. Open on the east side.

gene bender · Jan 31, 2014

Brother sold the 3x3x7 for yrs out of his 54-90 dirt floor full steel dirt floor covered with loose straw for yrs built another 30x40 both 16 to the square for yrs no problems. He made his hay by the book always toped market and had a great business till he died two yrs ago. Did install vent fans in the gable which helped keep moving air thru. Lived sw of IA City 17mi. Things went great till he got Cancer and died never had any left over as customers always knew he had the best. You do want the foam underneath the tin to stop condensation from weather change.

donjr · Jan 31, 2014

I built my hay shed open, but later closed three sides, with wide doors at both ends and later added a lean-to on the open southerly side. The original shed was 100x40, and the lean to is 24x 100. It's open to the south.

Bret4207 · Feb 1, 2014

An open shed may work in the west, but here in the northeast it'd be a no go. I'd build it so I could add overhangs to both sides for equipment storage and plenty of ventilation inside. Doors at both ends you can leave open till bad weather hits.

Leroy · Feb 1, 2014

Roof only would keep rain-snow off top and that would be better than outside completely where it would get all the moisture from the top, open sides will get wet but not leave moisture in as deep as from top and would be a good first steep with designing so you could add sides as needed and finaces will allow. You could with just roof decide you do not need sides or decide you need full enclouser. Our hay was always after loose small squares (only other baler was AC Roto-Baler) and in enclosed barn and on the wood floors of mows, never had to try on concrete. But on those old wood barns never had vents as they were loose enough as was. Only problem was in one ground level mow bad floor and water setting under floor and never getting empty down to bottom layer

Input please on hay storage building

NEIADan

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IaGary

Well-known Member

rick n ohio

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GordoSD

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gene bender

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donjr

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Bret4207

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Leroy

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