Ordering hay in bulk

[WEAVER]

Now that I have three piggies instead of one, I am trying to refigure how much hay I need to order and how often. My question is right now the Oxbow 40 oz Timothy is lasting me about 10 days mixed with the Orchard Grass, how much hay can I order to leave on hand, but also keep it's freshness? Could I order the nine pounds if it was all eaten within two months, or is that too long to have the bag open? Will the hay turn color and lose it's fresh smell? It is cheaper for me to order the 9lbs instead of several 40 oz, but does it stay more fresh because it would come in several smaller bags instead of one big one?

[BabyGrl]

I ordered 25 lbs in Novemeber from KM for my 4 boys and I am just about halfway through the box. The hay at the bottom of the box still smells good and is still green. The pigs are still chowing it down just like they did when I first got the hay. Depending on how you store your hay it will last a long time. It needs to be in a dry area and not inside a plastic container. Mine is in the box it was shipped in to me. I removed the plastic bag when it arrived and took a knife and stabbed the box all over to help the air get in.

Hope that helps.

[aqh88]

Hay is good for about 1year from the time it's cut provided it is cut correctly and stored correctly. Hay that is exposed to sunlight or moisture will break down quicker or mold. I leave it in the box with either just the top left open or I dump it out of the bag into the box depending on how dry the hay is and how dry the air is. Even if you have the storage space and even though hay can stay good for 1year I wouldn't order more than 4-6months worth for various reasons. Mostly because it's not quite as fresh after about 6months even though it still retains much of it's nutritional quality.

[Slap Maxwell]

I don't think that 9lbs will last you two months. Mine eat 25lbs in that amount of time and I only have one more pig than you.

[WEAVER]

WOW!!! Maybe I should rethink my order than. SLAP---Do you only feed the one kind of hay, or do you mix hays? I was planning on ordering the 9lbs of Timothy and two 40 oz of Orchard Grass. I ideally would like to order every other month (longer if the hay will remain fresh), but definately not less than every two months with the cost of shipping. Not only that the hay is cheaper in the long run if I order more (which I am sure you know)
So my question now is what should I order?.....How much hay does everyone go through when they have mutiple pigs?

[Slap Maxwell]

I just feed timothy right now.

Boxed hay can last over a year, so don't worry about it staying fresh. If you want to mix hays I would suggest getting 9lbs of tmothy and ochard gass.

[Percy's Mom]

Depending on the shipping, you could order a mixed box from KM. She'll do a 25 or 35lb box that you can mix timothy and bluegrass. I priced it for myself to VA, and with shipping her 25lb box is a couple dollars cheaper than Oxbow. I've never had a problem with the boxed hay staying fresh. Just make sure that you leave the box open, so moisture doesn't collect and mold your hay.

[BabyGrl]

I just ordered the bluegrass and i am so excited about it. I have heard it is piggy crack so we will see....