bad batch of hay

[lucylocket]

hi all

i have just opened a bag of hat and it seems to be bad

the only hay ive got in is alfaalfa till tomorrow

would this be ok and how much should i give her

varna xxxx

 

[mambo101]

I seriously doubt one day of alfalfa hay will hurt.

 

[bluebird]

If the hay smells moldy do not feed it.Mold is toxic to rabbits.better to wait a day and buy fresh.bluebird

 

[DaisyNBuster]

How do you know if hay has actually gone moldy.Does it grow some sort of mold on it? How long does hay actually last?I have never heard of hay going bad before. Hope the stuff I am givingmine is ok.

Vickie

 

[pamnock]

DaisyNBuster wrote:

How do you know if hay has actually gone moldy. Does it growsome sort of mold on it? How long does hay actually last? I have neverheard of hay going bad before. Hope the stuff I am giving mine is ok.

Vickie

It will smell bad (very musty) and have dark mold in it. The bad areas also stick together.

Moldyhay is caused by insufficient drying -- most processorsnow usedrying agents (desiccants)containingpotassium or sodium carbonateand/or preservatives (proprionicacid and acetic acid) or anhydrous ammonia,to prevent mold inthe hay by hastening curing/drying. Microbial inoculantshavealso been used to preserve hay.

Hay can also mold if kept in moist conditions, especially on a cement floor where the hay will absorb moisture.

Clover hay (heifer hay) is the most likely to mold and should not be fed to rabbits.



Pam

 

[DaisyNBuster]

Thanks Pam. I never thought it would go moldy with it being dry. Mind you I suppose everything has a shelf life and will go off.

Its amazing how you learn something new every day on here.

Varna your questions are great I always pick up some great info .

Vickie

 

[pamnock]

If properly cured, it won't mold inside the bale,but humidity/moisture can cause mold on the outside of the bale,especially if it's sitting anywhere moist.

Pam