Hay gone bad?

[Fai]

Hi, I bought a 10lb box of Timothy hay about a week or two ago and today I noticed that some of the pieces of hay are turning a little brown in color. I’m not sure if it’s going bad and I should stop feeding my bunny this, or if it’s still okay. It doesn’t smell bad or anything and my bunny still eats this probably as much as he did when I first got the box (it honestly feels like he’s eating it a little less than when I first got it but that could just be me being paranoid). Anyway, is it ok to keep feeding him this or should I just get a fresh new bag of hay?

 

[Wick & Fable]

Unless it had gotten wet, is getting moldy, blackened, etc.. it should be OK. Brown is natural and within the spectrum of hay color variation — it’s not bad or harmful, but likely won’t be eaten by your rabbit.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Laurenf]

I’ve been having a problem with the Oxbow Timothy hay for months here in BC, Canada. I have talked to the people at Petsmart and gotten refunded but I think I know what you’re talking about.

it doesn’t really smell different but it’s definitely way softer with more brown pieces in it. Darker green pieces too. My one bunny refused to eat it after a few days, my other bun tolerates it more, but I definitely saw less interest from both of them.
When I get a new bag I make sure the hay pieces look thick like straw and perfect light green, I even punch the bag of a few times and make sure it feels really hard lol. I also write down the batch # from the “bad” hay bag and I make sure the new bag I get is different. Going to another store location can be helpful too! If you’re having struggles like me lol.

[LBJ10]

I have gotten bags of hay that I think tasted “stale”. But I agree, unless it’s moldy then it isn’t bad necessarily.

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