“Special” hay

[JackRabbit]

This may be a no brainer but thought I’d mention it anyway….

My bunnies seem to think that anything done differently makes it “special”. We use hay feeders with fairly large openings so those really short pieces of hay usually just end up in a pile behind our shed. Kieko’s not a big hay eater so I decided to try doing something different to get her to eat more so last night I filled a willow bowl with leftover short pieces of hay. I did the same for the M&Ms except theirs went in a peeled willow basket clipped to their crate (they won’t eat unpeeled willow and will drag any basket all over the place). Keep in mind that this is the hay at the bottom of the box so its not the super fresh smelling stuff or the “prize” pieces. Within an hour, both baskets were completely empty without a crumb left! I did the same thing this morning with the baskets, and even filled their regular hay feeders with super fresh wonderful smelling hay. Same result — baskets aren’t usually there which makes them special and special baskets must contain special hay! They gobbled it up.

Anyway, great use for the hay that would usually fall out of a hay feeder and a way to make the hay “special”.

[Sindri]

That’s great! I sometimes put hay in other cantainers like old tissue boxes and things like that. I think they do think its “special” because they do seem to eat it better than they do in their usual areas. Rabbits can be so silly at times. I am glad to hear you found use for that hay that usually ends up falling out!

[Little Lion Head]

That is too funny! Glad you found a use for those little pieces! You know I just got done telling you JR that neither of my buns are picky…but they aren’t digging this petstore hay I bought to get by! Both got really small salads tonight to get them to eat more of this until the shipment from SPS gets here!

[JackRabbit]

You could try putting the hay in their special bowls! Although, salad is supposed to come in those special bowls….. I think you should try it and let me know if Pumpkin thumps!

[Little Lion Head]

Ha they would both be excited for a nano second!!! And yup, she would thump!

[JackRabbit]

This is getting funny. I filled the baskets and set Kieko’s on the desk next to her condo while she finished her salad. After the salad, she just sat and stared at the basket. Went in to brush the M&Ms nd give them their basket and just about got knocked over. Went back to give Kieko her basket and she’s still in the same spot and rattling her cage staring at the basket. All three bunnies are scarfing up basket hay like it was salad. What a trip!

[Little Lion Head]

hahaha how long till they figure this out?!

[JackRabbit]

Ok, its official. Even uneaten hay that’s been sitting in a hay feeder becomes “special hay” when cut into small pieces and put in a bowl! Even warrants a stop for some hay munches on the way to the salad for Kieko!

Hubby insisted that the day old hay wasn’t as fragrant and wouldn’t be eaten. Hah! (does happy dance and imagines less wasted hay!)

[Little Lion Head]

I’ve been on hubby about building a hay feeder. We waste so much hay putting it in the litter box!!!

[Author]

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