Hay rack fitting in Exeter
Professional hay rack fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
30 mins-1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Hay racks fitted securely to stable walls, field shelters, or posts. I position them at the right height for your animals and fix them properly so they don't pull off.
Stop Wasting Good Hay
Hay on the ground gets trampled into bedding, peed on, and wasted. A proper hay rack keeps it clean, dry, and actually gets eaten.
💡 Pro tip: Position hay racks slightly below head height - animals shouldn't be pulling up (bad for their necks and backs). Just below natural grazing height is perfect.
Fitting It Right
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ Wonky Bodge |
|---|---|
| Bomber fixings into solid timber | Tiny screws into cladding |
| Right height for the animal | Too high, pulling upward all day |
| Level and square | Lopsided, hay falls out one side |
| Animals can reach easily | Awkward position, won't use it |
What You're Getting
🔧 The Install
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position | Mark the right height and location |
| Fix | Secure properly with appropriate fixings |
| Level | Make sure it's square and hay won't slide out |
| Test | Give it a good pull - needs to be solid |
📦 End Result
- Hay rack firmly attached
- Right height for your animals
- Level and secure
- Reduced wastage from day one
Pricing Guide
| Location | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single rack, timber wall/post | 30 mins | £60 |
| Masonry wall (brick/block) | 45 mins | £60 |
| Corner rack or awkward position | 1 hr | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Assumes you've supplied the rack - I can source one if needed.
Perfect For Your Stable If...
✅ Wastage - half your hay ends up as bedding
✅ New field shelter - need feeding sorted properly
✅ Messy feeding - hay all over the floor
✅ Multiple animals - racks stop squabbles over loose piles
Why Choose Us for Hay rack fitting in Exeter?
Securely fixed to walls or posts
Right height for your animals
Reduces hay wastage
Keeps hay clean and dry
What to Expect
Step 1: Position
We work out the best height and location - where animals can reach easily, where it won't be in the way, where fixings will be solid.
Step 2: Mark & Drill
Mark fixing points, check they're level, drill pilot holes. For masonry, I use proper wall plugs and coach bolts.
Step 3: Fix Securely
Bolt the rack on tight. These need serious fixings - animals pull hard and constantly on hay racks.
🔧 DIY Tips
Hay rack fitting is straightforward if you've got the right fixings:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill (SDS if masonry)
- Spirit level
- Spanner for bolts
- Appropriate fixings for your wall type
- Pencil for marking
📐 Getting the height right
- Horses: shoulder height or just below
- Ponies: adjust for their height, same principle
- Sheep/goats: chest height
- Stand back and imagine them eating from it
🔨 Fixing to different surfaces
- Timber posts/walls: Coach bolts or 75mm wood screws
- Brick/block: Masonry anchors and coach bolts
- Hollow walls: Don't even try, won't hold
- Metal frame: Self-tapping bolts or drill and bolt through
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Undersized fixings - racks pull off within days
- Too high - animal strains their neck/back
- Not level - hay slides to one end
- Fixing into cladding not framing
💡 Pro trick: Before drilling masonry, check where mortar joints are. Fixings into brick are stronger than into crumbly mortar.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Wall strength matters: Racks on solid walls last forever. Racks screwed into thin cladding pull off fast.
Corner racks: If you can position in a corner (fixing to two walls), that's most stable and wastes least space.
Slow-feed options: Some racks have smaller holes to slow greedy eaters. Worth considering for horses prone to gorging.
Height adjustment: For youngstock, position slightly lower. You can always move it up as they grow.
Multiple racks: In shared spaces, more racks = less aggression. Horses at the bottom of the pecking order can feed without getting bullied off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the right height for a hay rack?
Depends what you're feeding. Horses - about shoulder height or slightly below (don't want them pulling down, bad for their backs). Sheep and goats - lower, around chest height. I'll position it right for your animals.
Can you fit racks in field shelters?
Yes - that's the most common job. I fix them to the timber frame or posts. Need to make sure the fixings are serious because animals pull hard on hay racks.
What about stable walls?
Brick or block walls are fine - I use proper masonry fixings. Wooden stable walls need coach bolts or heavy duty screws into the framing. Either way, it needs to be bomber-proof.
Do hay racks really reduce wastage?
Massively. Hay on the ground gets trampled, peed on, and wasted. In a rack, they pull out what they want and the rest stays clean. You'll notice the difference in your hay bill.
Can you fit corner racks?
Yes - corner racks are actually easier because you're fixing to two walls. Very stable and horses can't knock them about.
Hay rack fitting Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your hay rack fitting job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Hay rack fitting in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your hay rack fitting job in Exeter today.