Is this hay safe to feed my rabbits?

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This topic has 6sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by LBJ10.

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- 12/09/2023 at 12:33 PM
  rabbits101
  Participant
  3 posts
  I opened a “new” bag of hay today. Hay has been very poor quality over the past couple of years so my parents have been stockpiling the good ones they find. I told them that I buy hay as needed to that it stays as fresh as possible, but they have been having hay regularly delivered to their house so much that the bags end up sitting around for too long in my opinion. This bag may have been sitting around for a month or a few months. I found these pieces of the hay “flowers” that look dry, and shriveled, and is that white stuff mold? I’d hate to throw away a full bag, but I value my buns’ health more and I don’t want to risk poisoning them with bad, moldy hay. There are tons of these pieces thoroughout the bag, not just a few sprinkled in. I’ve attached photos below. What should I do?
  
  Apologies if this has been posted multiple times. I keep getting errors that my post cannot be submitted and I’ve tried a few times.
- 12/09/2023 at 12:35 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16971 posts
  Apologies for difficult posting. Thank you for yiur post!
  
  Im not sure this is mold. Looks more like some sort of seedhead fluff. Same principle as dandelion fluff although these are obv not dandelions.
  - 12/09/2023 at 12:42 PM
    rabbits101
    Participant
    3 posts
    The expiration date on the bag is 29/08/2025. I’ve never seen these in my hay bags before and I don’t know if it’s safe. Do you think it’s ok to still feed to my rabbits?
- 12/09/2023 at 12:50 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16971 posts
  I can’t say what weed this is, PlantNet gives me several suggestions but no really positive id. Could you ask what type plant it is at the pet store or supplier? I don’t recognize it from any hay I’ve had.
  
  Sometimes local Facebook rabbit groups post about unusual plants theyve found in hay, and that could be good if the hay is sourced locally. Chances are someone will recognize the plant.
  
  Maybe someone here knows what it is. Where are you located, non-specifically (Like the USA, Europe, Australia, desert climate, temperate, arctic etc)?
  - 12/09/2023 at 12:57 PM
    rabbits101
    Participant
    3 posts
    I’m located in Georgia, USA. The hay is Kaytee brand purchased from PetCo. I tried calling customer service but they can’t answer the phone until regular business hours on Monday.
- 12/09/2023 at 1:04 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16971 posts
  If it is Kaytee I think they’d be willing to answer your questions, but you will have to wait until Monday. Could you get a smallish hay bag of another brand and feed that meanwhile? Sometimes unwanted plants that shouldnt be in good hay can get in there f ex if there’s been a period of drought.
- 12/09/2023 at 5:52 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17045 posts
  It’s hard to tell. Weeds sometimes get into hay. Some companies hand sort hay prior to bagging to try to minimize unwanted plants, but it isn’t 100% foolproof. You could contact the company to see if they will replace the bag. Places like Petco will generally allow you to exchange.
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