How to Cover a 4x4 Round Bale with a 6cm (2 1/2") Hay NetUpdated 24 minutes ago
Using a 4x4 Knotless Round Bale 6cm (2½") GutzBusta Hay Net, is a simple and effective way to reduce hay waste, keep hay contained, and maintain quality over time.
This larger hole size is ideal when your main goal is to minimise waste while still allowing easy access to hay, particularly with coarser or stalkier types.
Please note that how you cover a round bale may vary depending on how compact or loose the bale is, as well as your environment, but this is the method used in this example.
Step 1: Position the hay net over the top of the round bale, ensuring the opening is fully spread out. Then pull the netting down a little bit, but not fully because you have to then take off the bale netting which holds the hay bale together.
Step 2: After the bale netting has been taken off, pull the net down evenly over the bale as far as possible on the ground.
Step 3: Flip the bale 90 degrees, so its on its side.
Step 4: Pull the remaining netting over/ around the bale, to enclose and secure the bale.
Step 5: Roll the bale onto a pallet or mat. This is important as it stops the moisture from the ground coming up through the bale of the hay bale. Over time this leads to about 10cm / 4" being wasted if you don't put a barrier between the ground and the round bale.
Step 6: Secure the net by tightening the drawstring. In this video below, the bale was placed under a shelter, so I pulled and tied the drawstring to the top of the shelter structure to keep the drawstring and opening out of the way.
If you want to have the have the opening of your net on the bottom (ground side) of the net, then you can also secure the drawstring underneath the round bale if you don’t have a overhead rail or tree to tie the drawstring to. You can use a daisy chain knot, making sure there are no hoof sized loops, OR you can pull up your drawstring to tightly secure the hay within the netting and then tie this off with a simple overhand knot, then undo the simple knot at the end of the drawstring, which leaves you with two long loose pieces of rope (nothing for hooves and legs to get caught in) and then throw this drawstring rope underneath the bale so the mouth of the net is upside down on the ground with the entire bale on top.
In the video above this is actually a 5x4 hay net and the hay bale is a 4x4, which is why the net appears quite generous in size.
This is just one method of covering a round bale. For an alternative technique, see our guide on how to cover a 4x4 round bale with a 2cm (3/4") hay net.
If you have any specific questions about covering a round bale or a set up please feel free to contact us, we’re happy to help.