Homemade Hay Rack

Hay racks are structures used to feed hay to livestock. They are usually constructed on wheels or sled runners, which allows the rack to be removed from the pasture or feed yard and be taken to the hay storage area for refilling. The hay rack can then be placed on clean ground in the pasture or livestock feed yard. There are commercially constructed hay racks available, but plans have also been developed by several university extension services for farm-built models.

  1. Homemade Hay Rack

    • The size of the hay rack will depend on the number and species of animals to be fed and the size of the equipment the farmer possesses. A livestock producer with a small herd of cattle and a utility tractor and loader may build a hay rack that is as small as 12 or 16 feet long and 4 or 5 feet wide.

      A article on the University of Missouri Extension Web site dealing with hay racks or feeders for round bales, suggests 1 foot of hay diameter for every cow in the herd. A 16-foot-long hay rack, with openings on each side, would provide feeding space for approximately 32 cattle using this formula.

      Large herds would require either bigger or multiple hay racks. Large hay racks, a rack 30 feet long and 10 feet wide for example, could hold 10 large round bales or more than 5 tons of hay. The builder should be sure the shop equipment and tools they have are capable of working with the heavy wood or metal components required for a hay rack of that size and capacity.

    Building the Hay Rack

    • The University of Tennessee Agriculture and Home Economics Department has plans for a 16-foot long hay rack available on the Internet.

      Its rack uses a single axle with two wheels in an assembly adapted from an automobile front axle. Hay racks are not usually designed to be pulled at high speeds or for any great distance, so a simple wheel assembly is usually sufficient.

      The framework of the hay rack is constructed of 2-by-4- and 2-by-6-inch lumber. Slats to hold the hay within the rack are constructed of 1-inch pine boards. The basic 16-foot design includes six stanchions, or openings, on each side of the hay rack for the animals to feed through. This particular design is not recommended for horned cattle.

      The University of Tennessee design also includes an optional roof. Including the roof would make it difficult to load the hay rack with a tractor and loader and will likely be excluded during the construction by most farmers.

      The tow bar of the University of Tennessee hay rack is designed to slide under the rack when it is not being transported. This eliminates the possibility of livestock injuring themselves by stumbling or tripping over the tow bar.