What is the best way to dispose of an entire loft of really old hay?
Question:1000 lbs of really old hay in hay loft. Looks like I am going to have to cut through the floor and let it drop down.
Has raccoon poop, bird poop, and maybe some dead animals in there too. Setting fire to entire barn is not an option. My thoughts are to burn the hay outside of the barn... Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Answers:
I don't know much about hay, except to make it while the sun shines, but I know a little something about building. Use caution when cutting through the floor. Those joists double as collar ties often. If you cut enough of them, the walls could deflect, and cause a collapse. Especially under a load of hay.
I would also be wary of snakes. They love the warmth of decomposing hay.
burn is ok, but do you need permit? or can you compost??Yes may take awhile but composting is best for soiland helps air..
See if there is a mushroom farm in your area they will pick it up for free..
Use it as a cover for a fallow garden area. Burning would be a waste.
I would caution against burning it... most folks do not realize just how hot, and how fast, hay will burn. The fire could easily get away from you.
I would suggest that you advertise it for free, if you want to get rid of it quickly. You might advertise in your local newspaper, on a radio 'swap shop' (a lot of farmers tune in to those), or on your local FreeCycle website.
You didnt give your location...but I know there has been a serious shortage of hay in Texas...something to think about.
Good Luck
Definitely post it on freecycle.com and someone will come and get it within days. I would take it if you lived around by me. I'd compost it and turn it into perfect flowers and veggies. Or go to gardenweb.com and post it on the compost forum.
Lee
wish you lived in Oklahoma, i have 20 llamas
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