A grass-cock is a small mound of newly mown grass gathered by hand or rake to cure in the field. This traditional haymaking method protects the bulk of the crop from dew and light rain while allowing air to circulate through the pile. Once fully dried, the cocks are pitched onto wagons for storage or built into larger hayricks.
Heard on the job
Pitch those grass-cocks onto the wagon before the rain hits us this afternoon.
Insider tip
Building a proper grass-cock requires shaping the top into a tight cone so water runs off the sides rather than soaking into the center.
Also heard as
- Haycock