GutzBusta® Square Bales, can fit both the large square 8x3x3 & 8x4x3 bales as well as round bales of hay.
Our GutzBusta® Square Bales 8x4x3 nets will fit both sizes of large square bales (8x3x3 and 8x4x3). The new design makes them larger and easier to put on. It reduces the incidence of colic, choke, stomach ulcers, boredom, hay wastage, and vices.
This size hay net is basically a 'one size fits all' hay net as it will fit these Large Square Bales, as well as all sizes of round bales. This is how easy it is to adjust the hay net down a size.
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Hay Bale Dimensions:
- 8x3x3 (2.4m x 0.9m x 0.9m)
- 8x4x3 (2.4m x 0.9m x 1.2m)
- Net Hole size: 3cm, 4cm and 6cm in 60ply
- Colour: black
Our 3cm hay nets are now 60ply - the strongest available on the Australian market. Due to the increased thickness of this netting and therefore more material per square meter, this netting costs us more to produce, and hence they are a little more expensive.
Click here for a YouTube movie on how to put a GutzBusta hay net on a Large Square Export Bale 8x3x4 or 8x4x3.
What material are the Gutzbusta® Hay Nets made from?
Our GutzBusta® Slow Feed Hay Nets are made from tough and durable, UV Stabilized, and heat-treated netting in 60ply polyethylene netting. This netting will not absorb water, therefore there is no change to the properties of the netting during inclement weather or if used to soak hay.
What hole size will suit my horse or livestock?
Available in 3cm, 4cm, and 6cm (60ply), our Slow Feed Hay Nets are made from tough, durable, UV Stabilized, and heat-treated 60ply polyethylene netting. This netting is not water absorbent, so you don’t have to worry about your net getting heavy when soaked in water.
3cm hole size
This size is great for gutsy eaters, ponies, laminitic horses, or if your hay is really palatable and you want to slow consumption even more. We recommend this for horses and ponies that have tried slow feed hay nets before. While some horses may be frustrated by this size, others accept it without hesitation.
Despite no top teeth, we also have customers whose cattle can still eat from this size with palatable hay. Available in strong and durable 60ply. 60ply is not offered by any other slow feed business in Australia in 3cm sized holes. Available in 60ply.
4cm hole size
Our most popular hole size. 95% of horses have no trouble accepting this hole size. It's also perfect for cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, and alpacas, too. Available in 60ply.
6cm hole size
Works well for broodmares, old horses, young horses, or any horse, cow, sheep, alpaca, or goat that you aren't trying to restrict hay consumption with, but still want to reduce hay wastage. You can also use less palatable, coarse, or stalky hay with this size.
We have more information to help you choose what sized hole hay net is best suited to your horse, pony, or livestock here.
Note: Please make sure that the hoof size is greater than the hole size if you are allowing hoof access to this net. Hanging the net higher or putting a hay ring or physical barrier is also recommended for shod horses or if young horses have access to nets where hoof size may be an issue.
Why use GutzBusta® Slow Feed Hay Nets?
Studies have shown that using slow feed hay nets such as our GutzBusta® Hay Net Feeders also decreases wastage by up to 46%. We’ve been making hay nets for over 8 years and we know how the netting behaves over time. This is why we developed a size and pattern that works to enable these nets to last longer.
Our GutzBusta® Large Square Bales are easy to put on and come with a large drawstring to easily secure the hay net around your square bale.
Our products are the most generously sized and designed to be easier to put on compared to other hay nets available in the market.
For more information and photos about our hay nets, please visit our livestock page and our FAQ & Help page.
How to use GutzBusta® Large Square Bales?
Simply place your large square bale on its side so you can cut and remove the strings easily, then open up and lay the hay net along the top of the bale. Pull the net down towards the ground until it totally surrounds the bale, then take up the slack with the drawstring and secure the net around the bale. If you have a tractor or ute then you can gently tip the bale up slightly from one long side and then the other to be able to put the netting underneath the bale. Although this net will not totally encapsulate an 8x3x4 bale, it will come close and these bales are too heavy to be pushed over by a horse anyway.
Our blog page gives an extensive pictorial and video on how to put the hay nets on these bales.
These bales can weigh from 500kg to 700kg, we do suggest that you leave one string in place on your bale (bottom or second bottom string) to give the bale and net support until some of the bulk of the hay has been taken out. Once some of the bulk is eaten from the bale, then we recommend cutting and removing this final string.
When you tie up and secure the drawstring, make sure the excess rope is either tied back up into the net itself or that you tie a knot in the drawstring at the base of the net. Then, undo the simple knot at the end of the drawstring. You can leave the remaining drawstring loose or once you have pulled up and tied it off into the net, or you can put the remaining drawstring under the bale (if you have a tractor or are able to lift or tip the bale). Although this is related to round bale, you may wish to watch this movie for more ideas on how to deal with your drawstring.
Caution:
- Shoes: If your horse is shod then simply tie your net up a little higher if it is a smaller net. If you are using a round bale or larger size net, then put your net inside a large box, hay ring or other device that stops their feet from coming into contact with their hay net. Direct contact of shoes and nets is not recommended.
- It is not recommended to leave buckled halters or other types of buckled headgear on your horse when using ANY type of hay net as your horse may get caught.
- Similarly, do not let horned animals such as cattle, sheep or goats eat from the nets due to possible entanglement.
- Cattle or stock with ear tags are cautioned from eating from the hay nets as they may rub their head and potentially remove the ear tags.
