How do I store hay?

[Moonlightbunny66]

I’m planning on getting some hay from a farm feed store in a few days, and I need to know how to store it. I know to keep it away from sunlight and water. But where should I put it? And in a box or just as it is? I could put it in the garage but we’ve had mice or rats in there before, so they may come back and live in it… I’m not sure how big the bales will be. But I don’t think I can fit it in my room. I had a 9lbs hay box in there that fit great under my vanity. Where do you guys store your bales of hay, and how do you keep them fresh?

How many should I get to last until next spring or summer? I live in Canada so I won’t be able to get farm hay in the winter.

Thank you!

[Moonlightbunny66]

I have two bunnies btw, one 9lbs box lasted about 4 weeks.

[DanaNM]

Hmmm, a bale is pretty big, so you prob wont want it in your room! You could keep it in the garage and then bring in a few days worth at a time to keep under your vanity.

My family has horses, and we’ve always kept the hay in a barn or shed. Main thing is to keep it dry, and you want some airflow, so it would be stacked on a pallet so it was off the ground. I do recall the occasional field mouse sighting but never really a big problem with infestations or anything. I don’t think rats are very interested in hay.

The shelter in my town keeps hay in a shed. They go through it pretty fast, as there are about 70 shelter rabbits plus they sell quite a bit to the public. When they get a hay deliver, any that doesn’t fit on the shed they keep on a pallet outside, with a tarp wrapped over it. I prob go through about 2 flakes a week for my three (who’s collective weight is prob similar to your two). Google says there’s about 16 flakes in a bale, so I’m guessing a bale would last you about 8 weeks or more? Since this is your first time getting hay from this source, you might want to just get 1 bale to see how it goes. Then again, having lots of hay is nice… I tend to use more of it the more I have, because I freshen their boxes up more with it and give them a nice fluffy layer to dig around in.

. . . 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.  

[Moonlightbunny66]

Thanks for the info DanaNM! 🙂 Where do I get a pallet? And do you stack them on top of each other? Thank you.

[DanaNM]

Hmmm I have no idea where to get a pallet. Maybe ask the farm if they have any to spare? You could also maybe accomplish the same thing with some lengths of 2×4.

If you end up getting more than 1 bale you could stack them. I was also thinking, if the pallet thing isn’t practical, you could stand the bale up on it’s end and lean it against the wall. Then only a small part would be in contact with the floor.

. . . 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.  

[Peanutthebunny]

most people use an airtight container. Maybe a plastic wheelie bin would work

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