Question about Hay

[beth82]

I have been reading a lot about the proper diet for rabbits, in preparation for adopting one. One thing I can’t figure out is how much hay I need to buy.  Everyone just says "unlimited" as far as amounts to feed, which is fine, but not very helpful to a newbie. How much hay is 1 small rabbit likely to go through in, say, a month?  Also, how long can you store it before it’s too old to feed?

[Theresa Moan]

I have 3 big hay eaters, and they go through a 96 oz bag of Kaytee Timothy hay in a week. I usually give them each a huge clump in the morning and in the evening. Since they eat it so fast, it never has a chance to get yucky.
But make sure when you buy i that you don’t get a bag with dark/ moist/ brown hay. Look for green, with many strong strands.
My guess is that a 96 oz bag should last you about a month.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi Beth! You might want to find a place in a closet to store bunny-related items and/or a shed to keep hay in.  There have been quite a few topics raised about your question and here are some links to those conversations.  Speaking of which I think I will add them to the FAQ’s section too.

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=1&tpage=1&view=topic&postid=3031#3066

[Gravehearted]

Beth – good for you to do some research first 🙂 that makes me happy!

I think Theresa is right – that the 96 oz size would be a good place to start. Some bunnies are big hay eaters and others just don’t eat quite as much. It also can be worth trying some different hays and brands, since they definitely have preferences. My buns really love the bunny blend hay from binky bunny – it’s very green and fresh. We also a few different hays – like timothy, oat hay, orchard grass and bunny brome. You might start with two smaller bags  of different hay and see how it goes.

It’s important to store hay in a dry ventilated area, but not on concrete or in plastic. when i buy the plastic bags of hay i dump them into a big cardboard box, since it is better able to air out.

[BinkyBunny]

Hay can stay good for up to a year when properly stored in the ways stated above. You can tell when hay is not good when it has a musty smell and is extremely dusty. Hay can be a bit dusty, but when it is bad, it looks like huge poofs of clouds when touched.

I asked my vet one time, "so actually HOW much is a rabbit SUPPOSED to eat per day?". I wanted an exact amount per body weight. I was frustrated because everywhere I researched, I could never get a particular amount for body weight. She told me the reason why: It all depends on the greens and pellets they get, and how much fiber is in those. HOWEVER, on average a rabbit should consume about a full handful or two of hay per day. And when I say handful, I don’t mean what will just fit in the palm of your hand – but  as much as you can grab with one hand.  However, my bunnies do have unlimited so they can eat more if they want.  Jack probably eats 4 full handfuls of it a day, while Bailey may eat one and half, and Rucy, well she’s lacking in a few back molars, so I actually have to push her to eat hay.

Since hay can stay good for much longer than a month, just grab a few bags, and soon you’ll figure out what your bunny actually consumes.

[Deleted User]

Hay is an issue with Shadow….he is so damn picky. He loves alfalfa but will only eat the green bits and leaves the strands, I have gotten blends, grasses cut and so on. Just when I think I found the one, he goes off it. If I offer him anything by hand he will go for it, take a few nibbles and wander off. Putting hay in strange places works the same way. He likes novelty but I am running out of places.

My first bun, as she got older actually preferred hay and would eat huge amounts along with her greens. Every bun has their way.

[beth82]

Thanks for all the replies. I understand a bit better now.  I was a little frustrated because I have never had anything to do with hay before, and had no clue where to start. This thread is very helpful.

[Beka27]

i give Meadow a packed hay ball… the ones with the slits to pull the hay thru every other day.  she eats most of it in that time.  i don’t put the lid on… so the hay actually sticks out the top too… i wonder if she’s not eating enough tho.  she does eat mass quantities of veggies tho…

[Author]

Messages