Hay question

[OhMommaButterGrits]

So I have always used Oxbow Hay and was just wondering if it would be detrimental to try switching to a less expensive hay (Kaytee)? I have 3 bunnys now and was wondering if that would be an okay area to cut costs in? I still plan on using Oxbows pellets and keeping with their daily salads, but I’m unsure if it would really make much of a difference which one I used.

I have no problem continuing to buy it if it really does make a difference, but I was just wondering. (Of course this is if my little girl will actually eat it, the boys probably will since that is what their foster mom was using)

Thanks guys!

[Stickerbunny]

I don’t really like the Kaytee because it tends to not be very fresh – last bag I had was half brown o.O and it’s more dry

You can usually get hay cheaper at feed stores, I got a huge bale of hay farm-fresh for $5. Or try sweet meadow farms, their hay is cheaper than ox-bow I think.

[Molzy]

Personally, I avoid Kaytee because they own/operate a few mills (for birds and small animals I believe). I also think a lot of their products are terrible, though I have used their hay.

Oxbow is way cheaper than Kaytee if you buy large quanities (it comes in a 50 lb bale). You can also try local farmers or feed stores for locally grown hay.

[OhMommaButterGrits]

I really do stay away from kaytee generally speaking, but I saw that they carried a 96 oz bag at the pet store and it was cheaper then the oxbow I was buying so where would I find the large quantities of oxbow? Or how would you suggest I go about finding local farmers, google?

[Stickerbunny]

Google is a good way – or check out the feed stores and ask them where to find hay if they don’t sell it. Since the hay is used for horses as well as rabbits and other small animals, there is usually some place you can find. The larger quantities of oxbow you can buy online – amazon has vendors listed for it on thier site and the shipping from their vendor is $4.95 for me for 50lbs.

[LoveChaCha]

I really prefer using American Pet Diner hay. Kaytee is really low quality hay and not really good stands, IMO.

I order it via amazon, and get free shipping. The hay is REALLY good quality

[Monkeybun]

They hay I get is a mix done by a rabbit rescue that I volunteer with. BUT, they get teh various varieties of hay from local farmers. If you look up feed/farm supply stores, you may find an awesome farmer nearby that has good hay for even better prices. One lady I volunteer with gets her hay at $10 per BALE.

[Elrohwen]

It’s certainly not necessary to stay with Oxbow, though like some of the others I would avoid Kaytee.

If you do like Oxbow and don’t like the price, you can get 50lb boxes online for about $65 – they last a very long time.

[brittbritt]

I have been buying from KleenMama’s Hayloft for a couple of years now by ordering online. Their shipping costs are high but I usually buy at least a 25 pound box and when I calculate the poundage with how much it would be in a pet store it is cheaper buying from KleenMama’s. Her website has changed the name to KMS Hayloft now. She is awesome and has the best hay. When the 3rd cut timothy hay is available and gets to me it’s so lush and smells so good I am tempted to try it.

[Molzy]

Most stores that carry the smaller Oxbox would be able to special order the larger box for you, that is how I have done it in the past. I can’t anymore now that I live in an apartment, but I do still buy the 9# bale and it fits fairly well into a large storage box (would fit better if I split it into 2 though!).

I’d ask your local retailer – smaller family owned places might be more willing to do a special order.

[Malp_15]

I buy my hay off of the equine rescue I volunteer at for 2 dollars a 50 pound square bale. That is all she pays because the quantity she buys. I have seen a few adds in my area for 8 dollars per bale if you only get a couple. I would look online and your local papers and just call around if you want to buy local bales. It’s my rabbits favourite hay

[OhMommaButterGrits]

Thank you guys all so much! I have a lot of research to do and a lot of avenues to take. You guys are the best!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I think rather then brand it’s best to consider two things
1) Is it a nice looking green hay? (That’s not alfalfa )
2) IS it meant for bunnies or horses?

IF yes-then yes. Honestly you can get a bad batch of any hay so branding doesn’t matter in my books

I think that’s totally fine and have never had an issue switching brands. Provided you don’t go to a cow hay or goat hay (much lower quality) if your buying big bales-or anything in the petstore that looks good-is fine I also mix and match types-meadow with timothy etc It gives variety

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