Struggling to find Timothy hay for a good price!!

[BinkyLouie]

Hey, guys so I have a big problem. I have a 4 month old rabbit his name is louie and he loves his hay being fresh. I buy him the kaytee Timothy hay but it’s more dust and like all chopped up. I find it quite unfair honestly. I feel like every batch you have to expect something different because everytime you’ll either get a good package or a bad package. I’ve gotten bad packages maybe 2-3 times it depends. Maybe less. Some packages are worse than others. Anyways, I live in the US and in LA. I know small pet select is a good brand but it’s so expensive... I’m not rich and my parents are a big fan of wasting money /: for a rabbit. I’m trying to stay between a budget of 20-45 dollars. There isn’t a lot of places where I can get good Timothy hay. I checked on Amazon and there’s orchard grass for 44 dollars for I think 20-25lbs. That’s a good deal BUT should I feed my rabbit orchard hay? What if he doesn’t like it? He’s a big fan of Timothy hay. I don’t think I could see him converting to It. I bought him a big bag of alfalfa hay thinking he would like it cause he is young and he didn’t like it WHATS so ever. Should I give it a try or is anyone aware of a good Timothy hay seller? Let me know!

 

[ArtistChibi]

I think orchard grass is fine. I also think you can find second cut Timothy on Amazon for the same price.

 

[John Wick]

You could also ask the LA HRS chapter where they get their hay! They have a fairly large foster network it seems, so they probably go through a lot of hay and would have some insights on more affordable options.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

If you need affordable high-quality hay check at your local feed stores. I just bought a bale of Orchard grass for $10 and it will last me a year with one rabbit. If you cannot find any local hay, Tractor Supply carries 50 lb Timothy bales for only $20. One bale will last my single rabbit (who eats TONS of hay) at least 6 months. Since the bales come in bags there is no way to know the quality of the bale until you open the bag. I have gotten a bad bale before, so now I will bring a tarp and open the bale as soon as I get out to the car. If the bale is dusty, flaky, smelly, moldy, etc. I will take the bale right back inside and swap it out for a new one.

 

[CrazyChickenGirl]

We have bought second cut hay for $3. Not from any store but just people who sell second cut.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

All Pets Cost Money. When you acquire a rabbit, hay is an absolute neccesity for healthy gut function and to keep their incisors trim. Hay is a much needed requirement just like welcoming a canine pet into our family and taking him / her to a DVM for heartworm pills to prevent a fatal malady.

@BinkyLouie -- I hope your parents understand that together you can budget and find the financial means to spay and neuter your beloved Louie when hormones engage. Plus provide for hay for your companion.

On a side note: I'd advise you and your parents (if you're under 18 without steady income) to begin looking around for the beneficial surgery & DVM expense and try to contact nearby rescues who can advise. Unless Louie is already neutered? Rescue groups near you may also suggest a decent and reliable hay source. Is Louie already neutered?

RHVD is prevalent on the west coast and in areas nearby. A suggestion is to call rescues in your area and see if they can suggest a local-grown hay person if you are able to store a full or half bale in your home.

RHDV Resource Center

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is a highly contagious disease caused by a calicivirus that affects rabbits. RHDV is often a very swift and sudden killer, giving little warning. Learn more about how to protect your rabbits. [...]

rabbit.org

Personally I find the store-bought hay bags to contain more chaff than decent hay strands. Kaytee is so-so. We've ordered from SPS before, in a pinch, and our sanctuary crew is less fond of their hay quality. OTOH, several of my Facebook group friends do subscribe to regular delivery such as the regular delivery option available on chewy -- for supplies your pet needs throughout his / her lifetime of care. Our rabbits pulled up their noses on SPS boxes, and Oxbow 2nd cut tim ordered thru chewy can be ok one time, then not favorable the next time.

I'm glad you're thinking ahead to the next 10 - 14 years of keeping Louie's incisors trim and keeping his / her gut healthy.

One option is Kleenmama's hayloft in WA state. A 15-lb box costs around $40. 46.95 for one-time purchase or a subscription rate of $42.25. Our sanctuary crew of more than a dozen buns are very much pleased with KMS 2nd cut timothy hay. Providing decent hay our fur-kids will consume readily is logically a financial investment than paying a $400-$500 DVM expense for bloat, GI stasis, or diagnostic care for an ultimate PTS decision.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

@Mariam+Theo , that's happened to us as well. A batch of hay will be stinky, brown, moldy or damp and then it's tossed. I smile when I find a cut-up volleyball, gloves, or some odd item in a bale from a local farmer, and once you locate a reputable source, you've found a gold mine!

Birds and squashed crawly creatures have come in our local hay bales. A gal in our network purchases locally for $3-5 and notes small stones are sometime in her bales. Which she does not want her bunny crew to swallow.

Horse owners/guardians are fussy about the hay they give their cherished animals. We would purchase 6 bales at a time from a network rescue friend who fed hay to their llama crew. Once you locate a good source, your fur-baby will be happy s/he's got decent fiber that's palatable.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

@BinkyLouie - try a google search on Best Hay Bales In Los Angeles, California.

Best to get word-of-mouth recommendations from rabbit-parents & members here, as well.

 

[BinkyLouie]

There’s a place that’s around 5-6miles away from my house that sells “Timothy grass” thats the same thing right? Well, it’s 27 dollars I think for a 100 pounds of “Timothy grass”. It’s a place that’s specifically for horses. Would that be fine?

 

[BinkyLouie]

Most of all these places that have Timothy hay thats if not 6 miles then 9-30 miles away. The one I’m talking about is 27 dollars for 100 pounds. It’s just 6 miles from me and I would have to convince my dad to go get it. It’s kinda tough in this house hold with Louie to be honest with you guys. I love this little guy with all my heart and I’m so glad I was able to convince my parents to free roam him as along as I had him in a cage at night. He’s potty trained, he isn’t neutered and he has no shots yet but we’re working on that. I’m gonna try and see if I can get him neutered for free and I’ll probably just ask my sister to pay for the exam fee and vaccinations. I’m gonna see abt that but yeah.. I’m just glad he’s healthy. I’m only 16 and I’m turning 17 this year so I can honestly work soon. I’m gonna try to work in the summer and make some cash so I won’t rely on my parents. I wanna spoil my little guy. I just need to eat a permit from my counselor.

 

[CrazyChickenGirl]

The hay we buy isn’t specifically for rabbits either but my bunny is happy and healthy anyway.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

There’s a place that’s around 5-6miles away from my house that sells “Timothy grass” thats the same thing right? Well, it’s 27 dollars I think for a 100 pounds of “Timothy grass”. It’s a place that’s specifically for horses. Would that be fine?

Timothy Grass is the same as Timothy hay. It is actually best that the bale is for horses because now you know it should be high quality because people are so picky about the hay they will feed their horses.

 

[Cinn-a-bun]

Hey, guys so I have a big problem. I have a 4 month old rabbit his name is louie and he loves his hay being fresh. I buy him the kaytee Timothy hay but it’s more dust and like all chopped up. I find it quite unfair honestly. I feel like every batch you have to expect something different because everytime you’ll either get a good package or a bad package. I’ve gotten bad packages maybe 2-3 times it depends. Maybe less. Some packages are worse than others. Anyways, I live in the US and in LA. I know small pet select is a good brand but it’s so expensive... I’m not rich and my parents are a big fan of wasting money /: for a rabbit. I’m trying to stay between a budget of 20-45 dollars. There isn’t a lot of places where I can get good Timothy hay. I checked on Amazon and there’s orchard grass for 44 dollars for I think 20-25lbs. That’s a good deal BUT should I feed my rabbit orchard hay? What if he doesn’t like it? He’s a big fan of Timothy hay. I don’t think I could see him converting to It. I bought him a big bag of alfalfa hay thinking he would like it cause he is young and he didn’t like it WHATS so ever. Should I give it a try or is anyone aware of a good Timothy hay seller? Let me know!

Are there any Tractor Supply Stores? You can buy Stanlee 10 lbs Timothy Hay for ($20. here in Utah)

 

[JBun]

Horse quality hay is the kind of hay you feed rabbits. Horse quality hay just means it should have never been exposed to moisture and never gotten moldy. Horses and rabbits will both get sick from moldy hay. It should also not contain any noxious weeds. So good quality horse hay is rabbit hay. Though you should always check the bale regardless of what the person is claiming the hay is, if buying from a farm or individual.

Any type of grass hay is usually fine for rabbits, orchard or timothy or another type, as long as your rabbit likes it and eats it. So any good grass hay, preferably(to me) a medium course hay with a mix of soft leaf and hard stems, that has never been wet, no signs of mold(black or white spots, white dust, moisture inside the bale), no noxious weeds, not full of dust or dirt, green inside the bale and not sun bleached inside the bale(over cured when dried in the field). These are the things to look for.

I will bring a tarp with me and cut the strings on the bale at the place before leaving, to check the inside of the bale to make sure the hay looks good. You can't always tell this by just looking on the outside of the bale. If it doesn't look good inside, then you will still be at the place so you can exchange for a different bale.

 

[Halndallas]

I have been trying to find quality hay for the past 4 years, one bag is fine and the next is chopped up pieces so small it is dust, the rabbits can't eat it. I have complained to Oxbow several times but apparently they don't care. The hay was so bad the chain of stores in Colorado sent back all the hay from their chain of stores, They immediately got a replacement of very good quality hay! There is no reason they can't provide quality hay, they charge a "quality" price! VERY DISAPOINTING!

 

[Aph10]

If you need affordable high-quality hay check at your local feed stores. I just bought a bale of Orchard grass for $10 and it will last me a year with one rabbit. If you cannot find any local hay, Tractor Supply carries 50 lb Timothy bales for only $20. One bale will last my single rabbit (who eats TONS of hay) at least 6 months. Since the bales come in bags there is no way to know the quality of the bale until you open the bag. I have gotten a bad bale before, so now I will bring a tarp and open the bale as soon as I get out to the car. If the bale is dusty, flaky, smelly, moldy, etc. I will take the bale right back inside and swap it out for a new one.

Standlee’s website has a $3 off coupon anywhere they sell it. Like tractor supply and fleet farm.

 

[cwebster]

We get Rabbit Hole hay. It is very fresh and clean. They have a website.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

25 lb. boxes of Oxbow have been consistently good lately. Quality can vary. The Rabbit Hole Hay in northern CA receives a 5-star rating from our crew. Expensive. We continually balance the costs of GI stasis vet bill (i.e. fluids, xray, vet exam, worry due to inappetance, suspected fur accumulation, et al) with the cost of decent hay shipments directly to our door.

Thirdly, we mix in thinner strand hay (hay bales from a local supplier whom is particular about her hay given to her horses) that also can duo as a topping over their hardwood pellets in litter pans.

@JBun - as mentioned, checking the bale quality is important if you are unsure of whom you are purchasing from.

 

[FunBunMom]

Hey, guys so I have a big problem. I have a 4 month old rabbit his name is louie and he loves his hay being fresh. I buy him the kaytee Timothy hay but it’s more dust and like all chopped up. I find it quite unfair honestly. I feel like every batch you have to expect something different because everytime you’ll either get a good package or a bad package. I’ve gotten bad packages maybe 2-3 times it depends. Maybe less. Some packages are worse than others. Anyways, I live in the US and in LA. I know small pet select is a good brand but it’s so expensive... I’m not rich and my parents are a big fan of wasting money /: for a rabbit. I’m trying to stay between a budget of 20-45 dollars. There isn’t a lot of places where I can get good Timothy hay. I checked on Amazon and there’s orchard grass for 44 dollars for I think 20-25lbs. That’s a good deal BUT should I feed my rabbit orchard hay? What if he doesn’t like it? He’s a big fan of Timothy hay. I don’t think I could see him converting to It. I bought him a big bag of alfalfa hay thinking he would like it cause he is young and he didn’t like it WHATS so ever. Should I give it a try or is anyone aware of a good Timothy hay seller? Let me know!

Orchard grass is slightly cheaper and just as good recommend that! Or you can buy Timothy and orchard with the pet o app! (Petco app secret: the app has cheaper prices)

 

[FunBunMom]

Hey, guys so I have a big problem. I have a 4 month old rabbit his name is louie and he loves his hay being fresh. I buy him the kaytee Timothy hay but it’s more dust and like all chopped up. I find it quite unfair honestly. I feel like every batch you have to expect something different because everytime you’ll either get a good package or a bad package. I’ve gotten bad packages maybe 2-3 times it depends. Maybe less. Some packages are worse than others. Anyways, I live in the US and in LA. I know small pet select is a good brand but it’s so expensive... I’m not rich and my parents are a big fan of wasting money /: for a rabbit. I’m trying to stay between a budget of 20-45 dollars. There isn’t a lot of places where I can get good Timothy hay. I checked on Amazon and there’s orchard grass for 44 dollars for I think 20-25lbs. That’s a good deal BUT should I feed my rabbit orchard hay? What if he doesn’t like it? He’s a big fan of Timothy hay. I don’t think I could see him converting to It. I bought him a big bag of alfalfa hay thinking he would like it cause he is young and he didn’t like it WHATS so ever. Should I give it a try or is anyone aware of a good Timothy hay seller? Let me know!

Also side note, kay tee kinda sucks, no offense. I recommend oxbow