Keep Biscuit Hay & Mixed Feed Contained, Accessible & Off the Ground

Hay dragged through dirt, mud or bedding quickly turns useful feed into waste. RELN Hay Racks provide a dedicated feeding point for biscuit hay & mixed feed, helping keep fodder contained while giving horses, goats & other suitable livestock practical access. For the wider farm setup, Material Handling Equipment can help with equipment used to move feed, supplies & other loads around sheds or properties.

Fence position matters almost as much as the rack itself. RELN's Hay Rack is supplied with a galvanised steel grill & mounting brackets, allowing it to be permanently mounted or hung from compatible metal or timber rails. That flexibility can make placement easier around stables, yards, pens & livestock feeding areas.

A simple feeding setup can make daily routines noticeably easier. Positioning hay at a practical height, keeping it away from heavily trafficked ground & checking the rack regularly can reduce unnecessary mess while making remaining feed easier to see.

What Is a RELN Hay Rack?

At its simplest, a hay rack creates a defined place for livestock to access hay rather than feeding directly from the ground. RELN describes its Hay Rack as suitable for feeding biscuit hay & mixed feed to a variety of livestock.

The RELN Hay Rack features:

► A durable moulded body
► Galvanised steel grill
► Supplied mounting brackets
► Permanent mounting capability
► Hanging installation on suitable metal rails
► Hanging installation on suitable timber rails
► Approximate 500mm length
► Approximate 500mm width
► Approximate 620mm height
► Approximate 5kg product weight

Those dimensions make placement worth checking before installation. Allow enough room for the rack, livestock access & surrounding gates or structures without creating an obstruction in a narrow working area.

Why Use a Hay Rack?

Keep Feed Away From High-Traffic Ground

The moment hay lands in a muddy or heavily trafficked area, keeping it clean becomes harder. A mounted rack creates separation between the feed & the surface below, which can help keep feeding areas more orderly.

Ground feeding may still suit some situations, but a rack provides a defined location where remaining hay can be inspected more easily.

Put Feed Where It Is Easier to Manage?

Scattered hay can disappear surprisingly quickly across a yard. Holding biscuit hay within a rack helps create a more controlled feeding point rather than allowing the entire feed allocation to spread immediately around the enclosure.

Make Remaining Hay Easier to See

Knowing what has actually been eaten is harder when feed is mixed through bedding, soil or old material. A defined feeding point makes it simpler to inspect what remains before adding more.

Choose Between Hanging & Permanent Installation

Not every feeding area needs the same mounting arrangement. RELN supplies the Hay Rack with brackets so it can be permanently mounted or hung from suitable metal or timber rails.

A permanent position can suit an established feeding area, while a compatible hanging arrangement may be useful where the layout needs greater flexibility.

Where Can RELN Hay Racks Be Used?

Horse Feeding Areas

A stable or yard benefits from having a predictable place for hay. RELN identifies horses among the livestock suited to its agricultural feeding products, making the Hay Rack relevant where biscuit hay or mixed feed needs a defined feeding position.

Goat Pens

Goats have a talent for turning feeding time into an equipment test. Secure mounting, suitable positioning & routine inspection are particularly important wherever livestock can push, pull or lean against feeding hardware.

Farm Yards & Livestock Enclosures

Outdoor feeding areas can move from dry to muddy after a change in weather. Raising hay away from the immediate ground surface can help separate feed from the conditions underneath it.

Sheds & Covered Feeding Areas

Shelter helps protect feed from weather, but it doesn't automatically stop it being scattered. A hay rack can create a consistent feeding point inside suitable sheds, covered yards or livestock shelters.

Mixed Livestock Setups

RELN describes the Hay Rack as suitable for a variety of livestock rather than limiting it to one animal.

Animal size, behaviour & enclosure design still need to guide installation. Check that the position & mounting are appropriate for the livestock using the area.

Hanging or Permanent Mounting?

The better option depends on whether the feeding point is temporary, adjustable or intended to stay in one place.

Whichever method is used, movement should be checked before livestock gain access. A rack that shifts excessively, sits unevenly or interferes with surrounding structures needs attention before use.

Choose the Position Before Installing the Rack

Watch How Livestock Move Through the Area?

The most convenient wall for installation isn't always the safest place for feeding. Look at gates, corners, water points, narrow passages & areas where animals naturally gather.

Avoid creating an unnecessary pinch point around:

► Gates
► Doorways
► Narrow laneways
► High-traffic corners
► Water access
► Handling areas
► Existing protrusions

Think About Refill Access

A rack that is awkward to refill becomes annoying surprisingly quickly. Position it where hay can be added without unnecessarily carrying feed through confined livestock areas.

Check the Mounting Structure

A strong rack still depends on what is holding it up. Timber rails should be structurally sound, while metal rails & permanent mounting surfaces need to be suitable for the intended installation.

Set a Practical Height

Installation height affects both livestock access & how the rack behaves during use. The correct position depends on the animals, enclosure & mounting arrangement rather than one universal measurement.

Observe the setup after installation & adjust where appropriate.

Leave Enough Surrounding Clearance

Allow space for animals to approach without the rack interfering with gates, walls, fittings or other equipment.

Look beyond the empty enclosure. Consider how the space changes once animals, feed containers & daily farm activity are all present.

A Better Feeding Area Starts Around the Rack

Installing a hay rack won't fix every problem in a poorly arranged feeding zone. Surface condition, drainage, congestion, feed storage & water placement can all affect how practical the area remains.

Useful considerations include:

► Keep approaches reasonably clear
► Remove loose wire or damaged fittings
► Avoid unnecessary sharp projections
► Check nearby rails
► Monitor muddy or heavily worn areas
► Keep old spoiled feed from accumulating
► Maintain practical access for refilling
► Inspect mounting points regularly

Small layout improvements can save repeated frustration. Moving a feed container, clearing an access route or repairing a loose rail can sometimes improve the feeding area as much as changing the rack itself.

For equipment that works outdoors through changing conditions, Spring Jobsite Prep Getting Your Gear Ready provides a useful reminder of the value of checking working gear before busier periods.

Practical Hay Rack Checks

► Inspect the brackets. Look for movement, deformation or loosening.
► Check the galvanised grill. Damage should be addressed before continued use.
► Look at the mounting surface. A loose timber rail or damaged structure can compromise an otherwise serviceable rack.
► Remove spoiled feed. Old damp or contaminated material shouldn't simply disappear beneath fresh hay.
► Watch for sharp damage. Any broken or damaged component that could present a hazard deserves immediate attention.
► Check the area underneath. Feed build-up, mud & manure can make the surrounding area harder to maintain.
► Observe livestock interaction. Pushing, rubbing or unusual access behaviour may reveal that the position needs reconsideration.
► Keep the approach clear. Gates, tools & stored materials shouldn't unnecessarily restrict access.
► Clean as conditions require. Regular attention helps prevent old feed & dirt from accumulating.
► Recheck after relocation. A hanging rack moved to another rail should be assessed again rather than assuming the new position is equally suitable.