Uneaten hay

[MyGrandbunns]

Hello there dear Bunny community,
I have a question re our boy's hay. He is now a widower bunn since his dear wife died suddenly
When there was the two of them the Timothy hay was always gobbled down and never left over. These days there is always left over hay in the morning..i haven't got it right as to how much to give him.
My question is- do i clean up the uneaten hay or leave it for a few days? Does it become unsafe to leave. I've been cleaning it up every few days and putting in his litter tray.
Many thanks!
Mary- Grandma of Jetti boy.

 

[White Rabbit]

Unlimited hay is fine and most people go that route as it's better for the rabbits GI tract and if hungry allows the rabbit to eat when it needs to allowing it's GI tract to not go into stasis. It's safe to leave the hay out for as long as it doesn't mold, even if it yellows it's still safe to eat just down on nutrients. At that point i would do what you are doing and just use it as litter material. Otherwise, go for unlimited hay, many build boxes this way they only have to fill it once a week, month, etc depending on size making it easier on them and also giving the rabbit access to food(hay) 24/7 like they normally should have. Hope it all works out
"Rabbits are natural grazers and they need to eat continually. They do not rely on substantial meals at set times like we do and instead feed gradually like cattle. Having permanent access to hay, therefore, fits with their natural feeding instincts. "
https://www.rabbitcaretips.com/rabbits-unlimited-hay/
Not my video, but this is a hay box.

 

[Popsicles]

Leaving hay out shouldn’t cause a problem (as long as it doesn’t go mouldy etc) but you may find your bunny is less interested in it when it isn’t “fresh”.

 

[Blue eyes]

There should always be "leftover" hay! There should never be an occasion when all of the hay has been consumed.

I add new hay on top of the old twice a day. Adding new hay entices them to eat it. They like to pick through the hay and find whatever they deem to be the choicest pieces.

I put hay directly in the litter box. I do not take the "old" hay out when adding new. It will all get dumped with the cleaning of the litter box. That (the cleaning) only needs to happen once per week (with one bun) -- or twice per week with 2 buns.

(They won't eat soiled hay, so no worries there.)

Here is a photo for example.


This shows how much hay I add a couple times each day (directly on top of the litterbox):

 

[MyGrandbunns]

Leaving hay out shouldn’t cause a problem (as long as it doesn’t go mouldy etc) but you may find your bunny is less interested in it when it isn’t “fresh”.

Aw your Popsicles is a darling- he looks like our Jetti boy. Thanks yes i think they loved their fresh crisp Timothy hay- he doesn't have to "compete" now with his dear wife so he is just enjoying as he wishes.

 

[MyGrandbunns]

There should always be "leftover" hay! There should never be an occasion when all of the hay has been consumed.

I add new hay on top of the old twice a day. Adding new hay entices them to eat it. They like to pick through the hay and find whatever they deem to be the choicest pieces.

I put hay directly in the litter box. I do not take the "old" hay out when adding new. It will all get dumped with the cleaning of the litter box. That (the cleaning) only needs to happen once per week (with one bun) -- or twice per week with 2 buns.

(They won't eat soiled hay, so no worries there.)

Here is a photo for example.
View attachment 61338

This shows how much hay I add a couple times each day (directly on top of the litterbox):
View attachment 61339

Oh many thanks- great photos. Much appreciated! Yes Jett gets hay for breakfast, m ore when i go out before lunch, hay with his dinner pellets and another clump at supper time

 

[MyGrandbunns]

Unlimited hay is fine and most people go that route as it's better for the rabbits GI tract and if hungry allows the rabbit to eat when it needs to allowing it's GI tract to not go into stasis. It's safe to leave the hay out for as long as it doesn't mold, even if it yellows it's still safe to eat just down on nutrients. At that point i would do what you are doing and just use it as litter material. Otherwise, go for unlimited hay, many build boxes this way they only have to fill it once a week, month, etc depending on size making it easier on them and also giving the rabbit access to food(hay) 24/7 like they normally should have. Hope it all works out
"Rabbits are natural grazers and they need to eat continually. They do not rely on substantial meals at set times like we do and instead feed gradually like cattle. Having permanent access to hay, therefore, fits with their natural feeding instincts. "
https://www.rabbitcaretips.com/rabbits-unlimited-hay/
Not my video, but this is a hay box.

Thankyou so much for this helpful info- really appreciated. When he and his bunny wife were together they would chow through hay like crazy things so i am not used to seeing it around now days. I have bought them meadow and lucerne hay in the past but oh no- its the Timothy that is loved the best!

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We got hay racks at Petsmart, so the hay is readily available but is not on the floor. They have a rack by their pan so they can take care of "business" and have hay without it getting soiled. We also set up a couple for when they are out and about and the gigantic shop vac cleans up the floor leftovers every other day.