In the past, hay was stored loosely in a barn using pitchforks. This protected it from mold and wind, and allowed for easy distribution to animals. With modern baling equipment, hay can be stored in outbuildings. Old barns are often repurposed.
Modern hay is often delivered to farms in compressed bundles called bales, but in the past it was stored loosely on a raised deck known as a barn. When farmers harvested acres of grass and other grains to use as fodder for hay, they would first load the cuttings onto an open wagon. The hay was then thrown through a raised door in the barn which led into the barn itself. One of the best tools for accomplishing this task was a pitchfork, a rake-like farm implement with four long tines that dug into loose hay and allowed workers to literally toss the hay into the barn.
A barn has solved any number of problems for farmers. Harvested hay would not be left on moist soil, which could encourage mold growth and the transfer of insects and other natural contaminants. Hay stored in a barn would have the possibility of drying completely in a sheltered environment protected from bad weather. The loose hay would also be protected from strong winds that could carry it away.
Another benefit of a barn was a natural gravity feed system for distributing feed hay. A typical barn is built over a common manger or other feeding area. Loose hay is stored on one side of the barn, while workers access the barn by ladder from the other side. A trap door in the barn floor can be opened to allow a supply of feed hay to fall into the feeding area for grazing animals. Some hay could be used for bedding, but the rest of the hay can be kept separate from animal waste and other contaminants.
As hay baling equipment became widely available to farmers, the need for a hayloft gradually disappeared. The baled feed hay could be stored at ground level, as the bales would not be affected by strong winds and stacked in outbuildings with clean flooring. Bales of hay could be delivered with minimal labor, eliminating the need for pitchforks or barns for storage.
It’s not uncommon to see former barns converted for other uses, such as equipment storage, attic, and even office or bedroom space.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
