Hooibouw

Hooibouw is the Dutch term for hay building or haymaking, referring to the activities and structures involved in growing, drying, storing and handling hay for livestock feed. The word combines hooi (hay) and bouw (construction or building). In the Netherlands and Flanders, hooibouw historically denoted the seasonal cycle of mowing, raking, turning and stacking hay, and the construction of barns and storage facilities to preserve the forage for winter.

Traditional farm architecture included hooibergen, hay barns with upper haylofts, and sometimes external hayricks. Hay was dried in the fields and transferred to storage spaces designed to minimize moisture and spoilage. In many regions, hay stacking in the field—either as large ricks or compact stacks—was common when barns were distant or as a supplement to indoor storage. The introduction of mechanized mowing equipment, balers and dedicated storage areas in the 20th century gradually changed practices, but the basic aim—to preserve hay for feed—remains.

In modern usage, hooibouw is primarily a historical and cultural term in everyday language, reflecting rural heritage. In some contexts, the word is also used to describe straw-based construction methods for sustainable buildings, especially straw bale construction, though this application is separate from traditional hay storage. Cultural heritage programs and rural festivals in Dutch-speaking regions sometimes include demonstrations of traditional hooibouw techniques, highlighting its role in agrarian history.