Bun’s First Bale!

[MayaConsuelo]

I just got Mr. Bun-Bun his first bale of hay! We haven’t cracked into it yet because it’s in the trunk of the car and I don’t want to break it up until I’m home. I bought it from a supplier in Wisconsin since I’m visiting my parents for Christmas. Some things I noticed: 1. The bale of hay cost $3.75 and an equivalent amount of hay in Chicago would cost over $80.00 (and I shop at the DISCOUNT pet store!) 2. It seems much greener and more fragrant than the hay I get in the store, which I suppose is to be expected. I did specify I needed the second-cut timothy, so I assume that’s what it is. It does look way better and I’m sure Bun-Bun will love it.

I’m going to store it in my porch which is dry and cool, in garbage bags. How long will it last? (sorry for the stupid questions, I’m a city girl.) It weighs about 40 pounds and I only have one bunny so it will take a really long time for him to eat it. Should I take half the bale and donate it to the bunny shelter so it’s fresher, and get another bale next time I come here? He eats a LOT of hay but I think it will take him months to eat this much, if not a half year!

[Deleted User]

If it stays dry keep it for yourself, or even half of it if you find it attracts mice. Last winter (about six months) my four rabbits consumed four bales of hay, 40 lbs each, so you might finish this bale in the same amount of time especially if you are generous with it in his litterbox.
Hay stored dry is good for at least a year.

[MayaConsuelo]

Hmm I have noticed he is eating much more hay lately (I see that other people have mentioned that as well.) So maybe he will eat it all. I do have some squirrels (I think) living in the ceiling above the porch. So far they’ve avoided the willow branches I keep stored out there, don’t know if the hay will attract them to come out. I’ll just keep it in big garbage bags. My apartment is very dry. Mice have never been a problem (I do have cats after all!)

[LoveChaCha]

Hehe, bunnies love hay in the litter box. I’ve noticed that my bunny will eat a ton while she is in the potty, so I sometimes need to refill it twice a day.

How about a big rubbermaid container or something? I got a 20 gallon container at Target for $5. It was a steal. I think you would need bigger for 40 lbs though O__O;; Stores are having good sales on storage containers as it is Xmas! My 10lb bale fits in a 20 gallon.

[MayaConsuelo]

Hmmm containers are a good idea, I may check that out. It would prevent a hay explosion… my porch is newly reorganized, but there’s willow leaves scattered everywhere… it’s too cold out there to clean

Merry christmas to everyone, hope your bunnies got good presents like mine did

[Lintini]

I would buy some large plastic bins to store it because you can stack them too. Be careful with the garbage bags – you don’t want the hay to sweat in it or moisture to get trapped. I bought a canvas hay bale bag now for my next 100lbs bale. It too has breathing holes. The plastic bins would be more mice safe than a bale bag for sure though.

[Deleted User]

I agree with Lintini, if you are storing it outside, cold is good but you still want it breathable. Lintini, what does this canvas bag look like, when you have time can you show me?

[Lintini]

It’s still new in the bag, but it has reinforced breathable holes. The canvas is strong and durable, but it can still breathe, and the reinforced rings are really nice too. But not mice safe.

[MayaConsuelo]

Thanks for the comments, this is helpful. I don’t think I have to worry about the bale getting damp or warm during the winter. My apartment is DRY due to the extraordinarily hot radiators I have in my house. And the bale will be in the spare room (porch) which is enclosed but not heated, so it’s cold and dry. In the summer it will be completely different, so maybe I should get the bins to store the hay for the future.

Lintini I like the pic! A picture of the hay storage device would be too boring, so you squeezed your dog into it! Nice!

[Lintini]

Hehe, yea Wickett wanted to be famous!

Yea I mean just keep and eye on it when you use it from a bag for now. That’s what I do, mine is in the garage and I haven’t had troubles so far. Granted I live in California so my climate is pretty even and comfortable compared to other states. Aren’t you from Cali too? I think if you are getting half a bale though the plastic bins would be great solely because of how less of a mess you can make with them.

I mean…my bag is a MESS.

[MayaConsuelo]

Hmmm no I live in Chicago where the weather is ridiculous right now, and will continue to be stupid for the next few months. But cold horrid weather is good for hay storage I’m waiting till I get home to let Bun-Bun out on his new bale to take a pic. It will be cute for sure. Right now it’s filling the entire trunk of my car.

Also, there’s a benefit for the Red Door Shelter this Tues. the 28th at Late Bar in Chicago… which is conveniently a mile away from my house. They are the only no-kill rabbit shelter in Chicago. Even though I’m going to be partying all weekend, I’m going to drag myself out to that benefit and see what’s up! Should be interesting (Late Bar closes at 4 a.m.)

[Lintini]

Yea lol it’s always hard fitting bales in my mustang lol.

Well he looks super cute in your avatar pic, all ready for santa! That benefit sounds like fun. I wish I didn’t work on weekends, all the cool things here in the bay area are on saturdays. bleh.

[allegrabunny]

salt is a good way to keep moisture out of the hay to kept it from exploding. where in wisconsin did you get your hay?

[MayaConsuelo]

I got it at a farm called CG services in Oostburg. http://www.cgservicesllc.com/acatalog/Hay___Straw.html
It was a recommendation from a friend who raises cows to show at fairs and such. I still haven’t given Bun-Bun any since we’re not home in Chicago yet. But I think he’ll love it, it looks pretty delicious.

[Deleted User]

Posted By allegrabunny on 12/25/2010 06:02 PM
salt is a good way to keep moisture out of the hay to kept it from exploding. where in wisconsin did you get your hay?

 

Good point, Allegra. When buying hay bales meant for livestock it is a good idea to ask if the bales received any type of conditioning such as being sprayed with a salt solution. This is important for rabbit owners when deciding whether the hay is suitable for a small animal like a bunny.

[MayaConsuelo]

Oh yeah that is a good point Petzy. The place I got it from sells for cows and horses, but also advertises hay for small animals too. I asked for the second cut timothy and specified it was for a rabbit. But you can’t buy any old bale of hay, that’s true. They have all sorts of different hay at this place. I still can’t believe that the mini bag I bought Mr. Bun-Bun to hold him until we got the bale weighed less than 2 pounds and cost MORE than the entire 40 pound bale of hay! Ha!

[Deleted User]

It is a good deal to buy hay in bales but for many rabbit owners with just one bunny it can be difficult to find a storage solution. I think Maya you will save lots of money this way. How cool is that!
I know one hay farm here in my area is now getting interested in selling their bales broken up into portions to small animal owners because it is also profitable to them.

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