Old Stored Hay – Still Edible?

[MimzMum]

I have two bales of hay, both from the BB store, one is Oxbow Western Timothy (the big bag) the other is some mature oat both sent to me back in October of 2013. It’s been stored in it’s delivery box, no obvious moisture has gotten to it and it’s indoors in a climate controlled room. I don’t see any sign of bug infestation either. They smell pretty much normal, however I can’t really tell if there’s any mold smell to them, because we do have some areas of mold in our house far away in the opposite room, behind a door, from where the hay was stored, so I may be used to the smell. (We have double paned windows and they get moisture trapped between the panes, then it tends to mold the frames.)

Is it still okay to feed my bunnies or is there actually an “expiration date” for dried hay? If it isn’t in the same room as the moldy window panes, can it still get moldy if it’s just sitting in a box in the same house?

I don’t know how I missed these, the box is huge, but I must’ve tucked them away and forgotten I had them. Feel pretty stupid as I could really use a bit of hay to bridge a gap between now and my next delivery. None of the hay in town is worth a sniff.

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

[LongEaredLions]

You should be fine-if hay is stored well, it really doesn’t go bad. Check the strands for any black dots, but otherwise you should be fine. I buy bales of hay and store them for months.

[Bam]

Agree with LEL, properly stored hay will keep for years. Mold won’t thrive in dry hay. Mold needs moisture.

[MimzMum]

Sounds good. Thanks guys!

[Sarita]

Agree – heck I’m still using hay from probably 2012 from APD. Hay can last a long time.

[Author]

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