Buying Hay from a Local Supplier?

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This topic has 6sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 4 months ago by KatnipCrzy.

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- 01/15/2011 at 9:11 AM
  dlscanne
  Participant
  149 posts
  I recently moved with my bunnies to horse country right outside of Boulder, CO. I pass by all of these local hay suppliers and was wondering if anyone else buys hay from farmers? There is a great family run feed store near my house I was thinking about going there and inquiring about hay for my bunnies. If this is a safe and plausable idea, what kinds of questions should I be asking the hay suppliers? A lot of hay out here is marked as “grass hay” or “alfalfa”. I’m thinking the grass hay sounds like a timothy-like hay, what kinds of grass should I be looking for?
- 01/15/2011 at 9:30 AM
  mocha200
  Participant
  4486 posts
  I get my hay from a farm. I would just ask if they have timothy and they should know what you mean.
- 01/15/2011 at 10:27 AM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  Lots of people get hay from farms, the hay i get comes from local farms here. Hay labeled as Grass Hay is usually perfect, just make sure its stored where it cant get wet.
- 01/15/2011 at 3:18 PM
  Dee
  Participant
  704 posts
  I get my hay from a local farm now. Actually I think it’s a pretty big company, but they have a branch right in Sherborn about a half hour from me. It’s called Sweet Meadow Farm and the quality is really excellent- you open the hay and it smells so good, not dusty like some store bought hay. I have also bought hay from a regular local farm and it was pretty good. Be sure to get “horse hay” not “cow hay”, which is lower quality since horses have delicate stomaches much like rabbits. I did worry a little about harmful weeds being mixed in with the hay from the regular place, but the bunnies did fne with it. I think it stands to reason that local hay will be much fresher than store hay- the only thing to watch for is the quality and be sure to smell it and inspect it for mold. Mold is toxic to bunnies and horses- there is more info on it here, just do a search under “mold”. I think there’s even pics of what to look for.
- 01/15/2011 at 9:35 PM
  dlscanne
  Participant
  149 posts
  Thanks everyone, just wanted to make sure this was a safe option for bunnies. I’m all too familiar with what moldy hay looks like, since I’ve worked on a horse ranch for a few summers, so I’ll be sure to avoid it.
- 01/16/2011 at 5:51 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  You might also ask if they can sell in smaller amounts because a bale at a private residence is A LOT of hay if you don’t have an actual barn or storage facility. Look thru the hay as you give it for anything that is non-edible.
  
  Also, ask if you can purchase (or if they will give you) a small amount, maybe a grocery bag full, so your buns can “try before you buy”. You don’t want to be stuck with a bale of hay that they won’t touch.
- 01/16/2011 at 10:09 AM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  In the US, farmers should know what you mean by Timothy hay. Basically you want horse quality grass hay. Horse quality hay is higher quality than hay that cows, sheep, etc would eat. And grass hay is suitable- as opposed to something with a high mix of alfalfa, etc.
  
  I buy a bale of hay for my 3 bunnies- a bale is less than $5 and lasts for months. I am not as worried about wasting hay. I do buy hay from the BB store- I refer to it as “treat hay” and I gave a handful every other day or so to each bunny so they get some variety- and they gobble every piece of treat hay down- as well as eat an approp amount of bale hay.
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