Abstract: A dispenser for bales of hay, comprising a fixed frame defining a plurality of compartments each adapted to receive a bale or part of a bale of hay. A front door closes all the compartments. A trap door is mounted for vertical swinging movement below each compartment about a horizontal axis on the frame between a raised position in which the trap door serves as a bottom for the compartment and is adapted to support a bale of hay in the compartment, and a lowered position in which the bale of hay is dispensed from the bottom of the compartment. A rod is mounted for rotation on the frame about an axis parallel to the horizontal axis. A lug on the trap door is engageable with a lug on the rod when the rod is rotated to a first position, the lugs being out of engagement with each other and the trap door free to fall when the rod is rotated to a second position. A retainer releasably retains the rod in the first position. A solenoid has a plunger which is moved upon actuation of the solenoid.