My trip to the local feed store

[MimzMum]

Well, I’m encouraged.

I got a sample of the brome hay to bring home for the bunnies. Mind, this hay was loose in their open barn in the snow, but it’s nice and dry (surprisingly) and except for smelling kind of ‘horsey’ looks just like the stuff I have growing in my back yard.

I gave a few strands to the bunnies.

Pip is unsure if she likes the taste I suppose, but ate. Her majesty apparently thinks I should be buying her more expensive hay.

Fiver had a small piece, no complaints, but went back to his oat. Eh…he’s not so picky, but he has had to eat so many different hays in the last few weeks as my suppliers run out and no new shipments arrive, he’s probably getting a little burnt out.

Mimzy however, was yanking the bars of his pen with his teeth wanting more. I’m not giving them anymore tonight to make sure it doesn’t upset their stomachs (and I only have a shopping bag full) but if they seem to enjoy it, I’ll go ahead and have hubby return to town to get a bale…which is going to be no less than 50 lbs of hay.

(They have these cool hay bale bags there that are like giant gym bags with handles and everything…I am so tempted to get one…. )

50 lbs…his poor back! He’s gonna be hatin’ me for that.

I don’t know where I’m going to put it, but if the store has their hay outside in a barn, (more like a giant lean-to) and it keeps well there, then I guess my arctic entryway will be just fine

Cool…gets it out of the house itself (my nose will be thrilled) where I’ve been storing all my hay for fear it would get nasty outdoors.

I’m curious though…do the feed stores where you all live store their hay otudoors like this? No covering except for the barn roof and three sides. One side is completely open. I would think that would be asking for wet, moldy hay.

However this was not the case with what I was allowed to sample, (we’re looking at -40 for the next few days, no snow), I don’t see any mold, no spots, no browning, and it smells nice…but very much like horses. (I’m kind of shocked I didn’t start sneezing, I am deathly allergic to horse dander!) It’s beautiful hay, really. And Mimzy obviously recognizes it.

Except for our beloved BB.com oat, which the bunnies will not surrender under any circumstances…I may never have to import hay again! FWEE!

[LoveChaCha]

I went to a feed store last week, and yes, they have the own store full of supplies, and a side barn with hay inside of it. And yes, there were 2 doors. I think the doors close when the place closes down. None of the hay was moldy or anything. Smelt nice.

There wasn’t much variety. I left with Orchard scraps and it was snubbed! But hey, I found that BB sells the best that is all that matters!

I’ve fed Chacha some brome before.. snubbed! Why am I not surprised? 

[RabbitPam]

I think the best part is how much Mimzy loves it.
Since he’s the one with the respiratory/nose issues at the drop of a hat, if he eats this and is fine, you are in great shape for him.

I just googled how to kill mold, and one natural way is extremes of temperature: both extreme heat or cold. So if it’s as cold or colder than your freezer outside, that is killing the mold spores.

I like the sound of the bale bags, too. Maybe hubby can get two 25lb. bags and carry them one at a time.

[MimzMum]

Well just to update, oddly enough, Mimzy’s zest for the new hay is dwindling somewhat. He doesn’t snarf the whole amount I put in his pen like he did at first. I’m supplementing him with orchard grass from Petco too, he just isn’t as happy with either of these as he was with the 3rd cut timothy or his oat. (Some of the latter is on the way.)
I think his digestion definitely benefits from oat hay. But Fiver has trouble processing it, tends to dry him out and them we get gas and unhappy bunny tummy…so I’m going to at least have to get something he can eat besides oat.
Pip…is a hay eating machine. She’ll eat just about anything you put in front of her. What she doesn’t eat turns into nesting material.
Ah well…I still think the brome will do until we can get them something else. I just hate having to change their diet so much, it can’t be good for them.

[Monkeybun]

Better the changes in hay than no hay at all, I think. Mimzy, stop being so picky so your mommy can relax, silly man!

[Lintini]

Ohh Mimzy that bales gonna be around 100lbs not 50! It hurt my back so bad!!!

The bale bag is awesome, got mine still wrapped waiting to pick up my new bale after these last few flakes are used up!

[bunnytowne]

lucky you.          All we get is canadian timothy  with a little bit of alfalfa       or alfalfa        

I did tell our feed store about mountain hay from leith petworks.   They seemed interested.    I haven’t gotten around to ordering anymore.   You reminded me I need to do that they might start selling it

[MimzMum]

100 lbs.?? 0_o Oh no….no no no…that won’t do. There is no way he’ll be able to shift that with his back problems! >.< And being the stubborn mule he is, he'll not ask for any help either.
*sigh* I’m still not sure Mimzy’s sold on it, but I don’t have any more, we finished the last of the sample off this morning.

[RabbitPam]

I think if he ate it, he’s sold. Eagerness usually comes with newness of something he likes, and like all of us, he’s gotten used to it. It’s better for him to have a steady one he likes than to keep changing. You can “garnish” it with another tasty type, like Orchard grass, so he has some variety, but has a staple he enjoys. I would keep using the brome since it’s so promising, but maybe 25 lbs next?

You need to be as concerned about the freshness and lack of dust where he’s concerned as with the flavor. If it qualifies and good for his respiration, and he eats it, it’s working.

[MimzMum]

Well, I notice he left he last of the sample and pooped on it. So I’m not sure he really ate much at all.
But, the other two also seem to like it, so…as long as we can get a reasonable sized bale, or have someone split one for us, I’ll most likely have him bring it home.

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