Feeding

[Serenity]

Last week I was at the store getting hay for my bunnies (AGAIN) and saw some people unloading giant bales of hay from the trailer. They cost considerably less hay than the rabbit hay I’m getting and I can SO much more, which is really when I need. My Mom was saying it would probably a good idea to get the hay but i want to be ABSOLUTELY sure before I feed my buns something they can’t have. 

 I asked what was in the bales and the lady said it was just compressed Timothy hay which, if my memory serves me right, is okay for rabbits. But here’s my question: Every time I’ve bought hay from Walmart (Timothy Hay) George has been badly allergic to it. I don’t know if they spray it with something or add something when they’re bagging it, but I stopped buying Timothy from Walmart and instead get Orchard Grass from the local ranch store. I have also found that I’m badly allergic to the stuff and get terrible sneezing fits with a runny nose, itchy eyes and coughing but ONLY from that hay. I’m pretty sure it’s the stuff Walmart puts in it and not the Timothy hay because I used to feed my horses Timothy hay and never had a problem? Anyone else had a similar reaction? Have your buns?

[Luna]

Both Timothy and Orchard hay are ok . Bales are also available online and depending on the cost will ship for free! The site I purchase my hay from is Chewy.com because I can get 9 lbs. of Luna’s hay for under $25, but there are other sites out there as well. Buying in bulk is definitely a money saver.

[Serenity]

Thank you! Just worried that I’m gonna buy forty pounds of this stuff and find out I’m really allergic to it. I’m not sure if it’s the Timothy hay itself that me and George are allergic to (George has the same sneezing fits as I do when he smells the hay) or if we’re allergic to just that specific brand. Anyone else found that their buns are allergic to the pet store hays and not others?? Thanks.

[tobyluv]

Timothy hay is usually the worst for causing allergies, but since you had no problem with what you fed your horses, it could be that the Walmart hay is just dusty and older, and that you would be okay with the big bale you saw or other brands. On the other hand, people can change in their reaction to allergens as they grow older. Some things that bothered you as a child may no longer do so when you are an adult, and vice versa. The only way to know for sure is to try the big bale or get some other bagged brand, such as Oxbow or American Pet Diner.  I wonder if the store ever breaks open a bale and lets people take a sample or small amount?  You could ask them.

Hay in bales from feed stores or farmers is fine as long as it’s horse quality hay, not cattle feed hay.

[Serenity]

It’s horse hay, definitely. They don’t actually even HAVE it in bags, they load it off a giant pick-up into the back of your own car so there’s usually hay spilling everywhere. (Yes, you are allowed to go pick up the stuff they drop and they can’t sell it so I can get TONS of hay for free. SCORE). Unfortunately, the last few times I’ve gone there have been hardly any hay on the floor to grab and the stuff there isn’t good anymore so I’m just gonna go ahead and get the giant bale. First I’ll stand by it for a little and if my allergies don’t act up I’m definitely taking it. Thanks for all your guys’s help!!!

[Author]

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