I agree with @Kusanar I always stand up my bales on end as well and cut the ties. Sheds, barns, garages even a mud room will work well to store your hay if you don't mind some hay stems laying around. :p
I used to peel off a flake and throw it out to the chickens either outside or in their run...
What @penny1960 said. Keep it in a completely dry area, out of weather, sunlight, wind, rain, etc., and preferably as cool as possible. They say it lasts 3 or 4 years if kept well. The high levels of Vitamin A will break down fast within the first 6 months, however whats left of the Vitamin A...
Because of severe drought that has hit our state, quality free ranging probably wouldn't be an option to keep my chickens alive and well for very long. Alfalfa is a good maintenance feed for many types of livestock, it is loaded with Vitamins A, B, E Selenium, Calcium and other good stuff. If is...