a bale of hay

[dream lopz]

Do you know where I can buy a bale of timothy hay? or any other grass hay. I live in South Wales!?! The cost of hay is becomeing incredably high!

[supertramp]

I don't think it's really referred to as 'timothy hay' in the UK. It's just regular hay, and as for where to get it - ask at a farm. If it's green, it's good. I just got a bin bag full of fresh grass hay just cut form the field at the farm where I work... legitimately of course, it's not like I just nicked it or anything...heh.

[Piglet]

. Your right. A farm is bound to have plenty of hay, and farmers are usually nice enough to give it to you for an excellent price.

[dream lopz]

okay thanks. How do I find them? Will they be in the yellow pages or what? it will be a much cheaper option. What do you store the hay that you have not yet used in? black bags or massive paper bags or what?

[Treen]

Ask around locally if people know of any farms. Also check out 'horse supplies' in your yellow pages - that's where I get my bales of hay from (£5 a bale). What you generally get over here is meadow hay, and the stuff you get from farms and horse suppliers is usually a hundred times better quality that the dry dusty stalks that pass for pre-packaged hay in pet shops!

Mine gets delivered in large sacks - either paper or plastic. You can just leave it in those to store it - make sure you leave it open so it gets aired though.

[dream lopz]

Yeah I asked a neighbour of ours and he told us of a farm and stables near each other that sells it for next to nothing. One thing though what shall I look out for? Just medow hay yeah?

[Treen]

Yup, that's what you usually get - it should be green, soft and sweet smelling. I don't think Timothy hay is grown over here - I've certainly not ever found it sold by the bale, only in small bags for about £8 a bag! The pigs love it but you'd have to be pretty loaded to supply it as their staple hay for eating and bedding!

Remember to look out for ragwort in hay as it's poisonous to guinea pigs. Most farmers are good at picking it out as it grows as it's poisonous to horses too (who they usually supply the hay to). I have heard a couple of sad stories about it though, so as you're dishing it out, just keep an eye out for it. Here's a link to a picture of it http://members.rogers.com/mulligan45...%20ragwort.JPG.

[JEMZY]

hi , i have a horse and within the bales you get apsolutely loads, my piggies eat it quite happily, they are only £1 at my last farm !!!!!!

i do reccomend hay from a farm

[Piglet]

I found this site. They grow timothy hay and ship in huge boxes, like 25kg but they are a little pricey http://www.westwaleswillows.co.uk/

[AngelsCavies]

I dont know if you have a feed store in your country. But look it up under feedstore in the yellow pages. good luck. I was able to get two big bales for 10 bucks. Thats about 40lbs a bale. Not a bad deal.

[CavyKind]

We can buy bales of hay from a local farm shop for £3 which is a good buy, so far it's aways been lovely quality too.

[IzzaFred]

I'm also in South Wales (Swansea) and I get my hay from a farm in the Gower for about £2 or £3 a bale

[Piglet]

I get mine from a horse feed store. 4 pounds for an enourmous bale (take a look at my pic in the gallery!)