Where to buy hay?

[Timberlee Fields]

The BB stores shipping is $12 on a mini-bale. My feed store only has 3 foot bales (fiancé said NO.) and I’m worried it’ll be even more expensive in the pet store. Where can I get about 40oz of Timothy for like $15 shipped?

[Elrohwen]

I buy Oxbow hay from Drs Foster and Smith. I order the 50lb box, which is shipped free because of the price. According to their website, a 40oz package is $9.49, but I’m not sure what the shipping would be on that.

[Roberta]

There was a place in the states I stumbled across called Bunny Bales… pretty sure it was just http://www.bunnybales.com found some other sites too, I will have to go looking again.

[Roberta]

http://bunnybale.com/HayOrdering.html

[Timberlee Fields]

I was able to find some appropriate shipping on Fosters & Smith, thank you! My question is, it won’t be here for a week, Will Thatcher be okay without for this time or should I pick up one of those $5 bags at petco while I’m there? (Brings my total back to $20 /: ) I thought I could just pick it up at the feed store which is why it wasn’t ordered sooner. I feel negligent. /: I should have called first. His pellets are alfalfa-based. (He’s 4 months old) will his back molars get out of control in a week?

[Dobby]

Bunnies need hay all the time. Not just to keep their teeth short but to keep their digestive system moving. I would buy a small bag to hold you over, if I were you.

Also, for future reference, the Binky Bunny mini-bales are a bit smaller than a grocery store paper bag when shipped but expand dramatically when opened. If you have an appropriate place to store them, you can buy a few at a time and then shipping is not that bad.

[Timberlee Fields]

I got a short check this week is the problem. /: I’m looking for something to hold me until I get paid again. (Not next Thursday but the following). How much hay will I need to get a 4 month old male through 2 weeks?

[Beka27]

There really isn’t any way to know how much. It varies from bunny to bunny. If I were you, I would seriously look at getting the 50 lb box shipped (not right now since money is tight this week) but someone within the next month or two. With a giant breed, you are going to be going through an insane amount of hay and the larger boxes are the best “per ounce” price you will find. Buying the smaller bags will very quickly “break the bank”.

[Timberlee Fields]

I have a 4’x1.5’x2′ King Kong box I’m gonna store litter, pellets and hay in. Ill buy multiple bales from BB as soon as my pay issue is situated (in the next month) so it won’t kill me to buy a few small bags until then.

Why don’t we feed alfalfa pellets after 8 months? Does it cause weight issues? If so, how do people keep their bunnies alive on feed store pellets (the loose ones here are alfalfa based assuming by the green color).

[MoveDiagonally]

If you’re buying the smaller bags for now just be prepared to buy as many as is needed until you get a larger shipment of hay in. Hay is essential in a rabbits diet (80% of it) and a rabbit should never be without it.

Alfalfa based pellets usually have more fat and protein than is needed for an adult pet rabbit. Feed store pellets are usually geared towards commercial rabbits (meat, breeding, showing, etc…). They usually contain extra fat, protein, and less fiber than what is recommended for pet rabbits. Will feeding feed store pellets kill a rabbit? Of course not BUT you wouldn’t be providing them with what is best for them and it could lead to obesity and other issues.

Some good brands that fit within the recommended analysis:
– Oxbow Adult Rabbit
– Oxbow Organic Rabbit BeneTera
– Kaytee Timothy Complete (Adult, Plain Pellet)
– Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Rabbit (Adult, Plain Pellet)
– Zupreem Nature’s Promise
– Zupreem Timothy Naturals
– Sweet Meadow Timothy Pellets
– Oxbow Natural Science Adult (a little higher in fat)
– American Pet Diner Timmy Rabbit, (a little higher in protein)

If you absolutely couldn’t find any of the above then Purina Rabbit Chow Fiber3 is alright. It’s protein and calcium levels are a bit higher than the recommended but it’s better than a vast majority of junk food pellets.

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