mambo101 wrote:
Alocal feed store here sells whole bales for around 6 bucks, but the haylooks so crappy compared to Oxbow. I paid about 20 bucks for the 9pound box. But that was also with a 25% off coupon they send me every 3months. But it works out since it usually take me about that much timeto go through that much. Of course it will be less time than that nowsince José is part of the group and he is a real hay fiend.
Actually, I've discovered that 'crappy' is subjective to bunnies.
I've been watching all mine pull the brown stuff outfirst, they seem to prefer it! And I also made a point ofgetting 1st cut Timothy, which is MUCH higher fiber than secondcut. It was much cheaper I think, about $4 a bale.They'll eat it, but not as enthusiastically. They leave a lotmore of it behind, although if it's all they've got, the big hay eatersin the back room (Radar and Darry) will finish all of it.(That's probably why they're so healthy).
The second cut this time around was pretty dirty and had some earwigsin it, but nobunny seems to mind, they quite like it. Noallergies with this lot.
But you do have to watch for Blister Beetles, dead or alive.They can be deadly if eaten, but seeing as the same holds true forhorses, feed stores are pretty careful about that. And theymay be more of a southeastern thing, I'll have to look thatup. (I found that out when doing all the research re: Pez'smouth problem, thanks for the reminder, I forgot to post it).
JimD
wrote:
There's a couple of placeswhere I can go to get fresh bales, but it's and hour and a half oneway. And I've got an itty bitty car, too.
I need to hook up with someone that has a van or truck so I can pick up a couple of bales.
The feed store or barn should let you break it up into lighter andsmaller bags, and for that price, if they can't all fit in your car,it's still well worth the effort.
Just balanceoff the price of gas, the stress of driving on your back, and whether atrip to the country is economical and soothing, or a completenightmare. Who knows, you may come home with a few pigs,chickens and sheep.
(I came thisclose to birdnapping thecutest, friendliest little Cornish Game Hen -- I almost cried when Ifound what breedthe little guy was.:cry1: I've avoided the poultry sections of the grocery storelike the plague ever since).
But I digress...
sas
