Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE hay bales

Viewing 11 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • mplsbunlove
      Participant
      20 posts Send Private Message

        Ok, so Ive been looking on local classifieds sites to find local hay bales.  I’m wondering what to expect/ look for when I go.  I know that I need to know what type of hay ( there are sooo many more that I would have previously thought).  I now to make sure there is no mold – but how smelling it? Hay found now would be from last growing season.  Would that be fine (as long as its quality) or should I buy new hay later in the summer?  I’m hoping someone has done this before and has good information.  Im figuring if the buns dont like it I can always use it in the garden.  But, since my hubby lost his job I would love to get away with spending less on the little guys.  Hopefully I can convince them this hay is gourmet.


      • Juli
        Participant
        115 posts Send Private Message

          I suggest you buy Timothy hay. Smelling it should help you find if there is any mold. For the best hay i would suggest you wait till later in the summer to buy it. I hope this helps.


        • Monkeybun
          Participant
          10479 posts Send Private Message

            Good hay will be nice and green, and smell divine. Look for somethign that isn’t brown, isn’t full of dust, has been kept off the ground where it can’t get wet.


          • KatnipCrzy
            Participant
            2981 posts Send Private Message

              Hay is basically harvested by season- at least here in Michigan. There can be numerous times (up to 3) that the field is cut and baled and that can affect the texture of the hay.
              For bunnies you want good quality horse hay. Horses require a higher quality hay than sheep, goats, cows- and horses should not be fed dusty hay as it can cause breathing problems.
              Grass hay is recommended- as that is what your typical options might be alfalfa or a timothy/grass hay.
              I just had to buy another bale and I am pretty sure it is 2010 hay since 2011 hay would not be cut, dried and baled yet. But as long as it is stored properly that is not a problem. And most people would make an effort to use 2010 hay that is left before using 2011 hay. (But it is not a bad idea to ask- because it is never good to assume that everyone is “smart”)


            • lwayne
              Participant
              428 posts Send Private Message

                I agree with Monkey Bun, green hay = yummy hay. By now you probably know what your buns like and pick out first, so look for something that looks like that. I suggest sticking with just Timothy hay, it will probably will be first cut.

                Things to ask for before you go are: 1. no rain (you don’t want soggy mildew hay), 2. no alfalfa (is it pure timothy or are there other grasses/alfalfa mixed in?), and 3. tell them its for rabbits, they might tell you if they sell to other people with bunnies.


              • Tate
                Participant
                734 posts Send Private Message

                  What about mature oat hay?! That’s not green! >devil’s advocate<


                • LoveChaCha
                  Participant
                  6634 posts Send Private Message

                    Oat hay is LOVED


                  • BinkyBunny
                    Moderator
                    8776 posts Send Private Message

                      Oat is a grain hay. Even Young Oat is not always fully green. It’s just the nature of that type of hay.


                    • NaturalRabbit
                      Participant
                      97 posts Send Private Message

                        You’ll want green, horse quality hay.

                        Do not purchase cow quality or “stock” hay.

                         

                        With wheat hay, avoid hay that had beards on it (spikey little hairs sticking out of the wheaty part)

                        Roll the wheat section between your palms. You should see no seeds, just empty shells. If there are seeds, your rabbit will only eat the sweet tips of the hay and leave the stalks.

                         

                        With grass hays, you want green, good smelling hay. If it doesn’t smell like anything- don’t buy it. It’s too old. There should be no thorns, smashed mice, or brown color in the hay.

                         

                        Hope this helps. Good luck!


                      • KatnipCrzy
                        Participant
                        2981 posts Send Private Message

                          I have gotten various textures of hay- some stalkier and some soft, leafy. And rabbits surprisingly seem to have their own preferences- I have seen my bunnies eat stalky Timothy Zupreem or Oxbow Hay from the 25 lb box with enthusiasm. It was so clearly the end of a bale packaged into a box- it prompted me to look local.


                        • Kokaneeandkahlua
                          Participant
                          12067 posts Send Private Message

                            I’m joining this club-just trying to find someone who will sell one or two bales-rather then like 60. I bought a bale of straw at the store actually (they have full bales of straw but not hay ) for the guinea pigs litter. Dave didn’t freak out and only laughed and helped me bag it to get it in the house.

                            That can only mean he’s given me permission to bring home bales of hay!


                          • Malp_15
                            Participant
                            601 posts Send Private Message

                              I’ve been looking for just a couple of bales to!! ahh. I’ve been scowering the papers and posted an add online, but nothing so far that will sell for less than a truck load. The closest I found was 5 hours away from me. I can’t find any bales in feed stores either.

                          Viewing 11 reply threads
                          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                          Forum DIET & CARE hay bales