Why does hay and feed storage matter?
Hay that gets wet can mold, lose nutrients, and make animals sick. Grain that is damp or contaminated can spoil quickly. Pests such as rodents and birds eat and foul feed, and spilled feed attracts them. Good storage reduces these losses.
It also affects safety. Stored hay can heat and, in rare cases, catch fire from within, and feed rooms collect dust that can ignite. Careful storage protects people, animals, and buildings.
Check your insurance policy to see how stored feed and hay are covered, since policies differ and a claim can depend on how the feed was stored.
How much space will you need?
Estimate how much hay and feed your animals will eat during the longest period you must store it, usually winter or a dry summer. Ask local extension staff or experienced neighbors what a typical animal eats in your area, since figures depend on animal type, weather, and feed quality. Writing the numbers on paper helps you notice when a hay purchase is too small before winter arrives, and when a cheap load is not actually a bargain.
Add a margin for a hard winter or a short hay year, and for bales that are not usable. Measure the bale size you buy or make, because different bales stack differently and need different clearances.
- Longest storage period, not average
- Bale size and stacking height
- A safety margin for hard years
Where should hay go?
Hay is best stored under a roof, on a surface that stays dry, and off bare ground. Moisture rises from soil, so pallets, gravel, or a raised base help. Allow air movement around stacks, and keep the building's roof and gutters in good repair.
Keep hay away from the house, shop, and animal housing if you can. A separate hay shed spreads fire risk, and it also keeps dust away from the animals. Make sure that a truck or loader can reach it in wet weather.
Keep walkways clear around stacks so you can reach any bale quickly in an emergency.
What about outdoor storage?
Many small farms store some hay outside. Round bales stored in rows, off the ground, and with good spacing can shed rain better than those piled together, but outdoor hay generally loses more than hay under a roof. Tarps help if they are secured and let moisture escape. Tarps wear out and tear in wind, so check them after storms and replace them before the damage lets water in.
Plan for the loss. If a portion of outdoor hay will spoil, count it in your budget. Ask your extension agent about what works in your climate.
How do you store grain and feed?
Keep grain and bagged feed in a dry, closed, rodent-resistant space. Metal or heavy plastic containers with tight lids work for small amounts. Buy only what you can use in a reasonable time, since feed loses quality and can grow mold.
Keep feed separate from chemicals, fuel, and medicines. Label every container. Read the feed tag, and ask a veterinarian or nutritionist about species-specific cautions, since some feeds made for one animal are dangerous for another.
How do you check for problems?
Check stored hay regularly for heat, mold, and a musty or burnt smell. Hay that feels hot, steams, or smells strongly of smoke should be treated as a fire hazard. Do not move it alone, and call the fire department for advice. Keep a flashlight and a small thermometer or probe near the stack if your extension agent recommends one, so checks are quick and routine.
Do not feed moldy hay or feed without first asking a veterinarian, since some molds are harmful to animals and to people who breathe the dust. Wear a mask when handling dusty material.
How do you reduce feed waste in daily use?
Waste at the feeder can equal waste in storage. Feeders that keep hay off the ground, feed amounts matched to what animals eat, and clean feeding areas all cut loss. Wet, muddy feeding spots waste hay and spread disease.
Keep a record of what you feed and what is left. After a few weeks you will see patterns and can adjust. If you are buying hay, ask the seller about how it was stored and cut, and take a look at a sample before you buy a whole load.
- Use feeders that keep hay off the ground.
- Feed in a dry spot.
- Record what you feed and what is left.
Key takeaways
- Estimate feed needs for the longest storage period, plus a margin.
- Keep hay dry, off the ground, and away from the house and shop.
- Store grain in closed, rodent-resistant containers.
- Check hay for heat and mold, and ask for help if it smells burnt.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.