Name brand hay or not?

[Spot]

I've been reading a lot about rabbits lately and I've learned that hay is very very important to rabbits.I have had my rabbit for 8 years and I just use regular hay that local farmers make.I've noticed that some people use name brand hay.I use the hay as a bedding for the cage so I can't really tell if any has been eaten or not.Should I give my rabbit name brand hay or keep giving her what I always have?

 

[undergunfire]

Hay from a farmer is always better, in my opinion. Hay that you buy in pet stores in those little bags isn't good quality and usually isn't as fresh as a farmer's hay. A lot of people do order hay from online hay sites (still from farmers), but it can get really expensive and those are usually the people who can't get a farmer's hay locally or their local hay isn't very green.

 

[Spot]

Thanks!Ok then,the farmer's hay it is.

 

[Amy27]

I buy farmers hay locally and then buy farmers hay online. My buns prefer the one I order online. It is great quality. But it is so expensive so I buy both and mix them to try to make the online hay I buy last longer. It is expensive to order it online. It is also a lot cheaper to buy hay from a farmer then the name brand hay at the petstores.

 

[Pet_Bunny]

You are lucky to get hay locally. If your bunny is doing fine with it, that is good. Buying bagged hay from stores or online are expensive.

 

[Spot]

Thanks.I can't really tell if he eats it or not.I am actually out of hay now so when I get more i'll try putting a small portion in his bowl and if its gone than that tells me he was eating it.

 

[Violet Crumble]

NOt. If you can find good, local hay that is best and most certainly more economical.

If you use hay as bedding (not really absorbent but fine) and you're thinking that your rabbit is just wasting it, then buy a cheap hay or straw that your rabbit is not likely to eat and reserve the good stuff for putting in a hay rack or hay ball.

 

[Spot]

It is very good hay so i'm sure that he eats it but a lot does go to waste.I will keep that for food,etc. and use hay that isn't really the best for the bedding.Thanks.

 

[bunnyluv96]

I use whatever PetSmart carries. I fed Timothy hay, then tried Orchard Grass for variety. But I created a monster b/c my bun prefers the taste of the Orchard and now that's all he'll eat!! lol I ran out and used Bermuda Grass I had, and began to get worried b/c he was barely touching it. As soon as I got more Orchard and swapped it, he was eating it like crazy. Where do you inquire about fresh hay from farmers? How long does it last? I like the idea of it, but I think it might only come in big bales and I'd be afraid it'd spoil?