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Fresh Food A Bail of Timothy Hay..

lunarminx

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It's true...that's pretty much EXACTLY what it is! It's hilarious, and annoying at the same time, hahaha.

Here's my solution. So far, they haven't figured out how to get the lid off, LOL - controller shown for size reference


What about when the hay gets low, how do they get it out if the hole is on the top? Do you holes on the sides too?
 

lunarminx

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Hmm I think I have a Tractor supply nearby. Maybe I'll have a look and see if we have small bales here too. How much do they cost for you? I'm trying to decide if I should keep getting hay from KMS Hayloft or if I should switch to a nearby farm.


My pigs prefer the 3rd cut from KMS, so do I, its not nearly as dusty and its so soft and sweet. TSC hay is only $20.00, if your pigs are happy with it, give it a go, the savings are worth the shot.
 

Cavies4EverEver

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What about when the hay gets low, how do they get it out if the hole is on the top? Do you holes on the sides too?

hmmm when i make mine i will probably put holes on the sides.. That's a good idea.
 

BarBGirl1999

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What about when the hay gets low, how do they get it out if the hole is on the top? Do you holes on the sides too?

They flip it over to get it out...they're industrious little devils, lol. I fill it all the time, so it rarely gets low, but when it does, they see it as a game and they're pretty smart, so they never have any trouble getting to it.
 

BarBGirl1999

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Hmm I think I have a Tractor supply nearby. Maybe I'll have a look and see if we have small bales here too. How much do they cost for you? I'm trying to decide if I should keep getting hay from KMS Hayloft or if I should switch to a nearby farm.

The small bales cost right at $20 at my TS, and it lasts a good long time - even with 3 pigs and 2 rabbits munching on it all the time
 

Cavies4EverEver

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The small bales cost right at $20 at my TS, and it lasts a good long time - even with 3 pigs and 2 rabbits munching on it all the time

My hay is almost gone so I will probably go next week! I just havent bought a Bin/Container for it yet and I dont know how I am supposed to fit this stuff in my chevy Spark LOL!
 

BarBGirl1999

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My hay is almost gone so I will probably go next week! I just havent bought a Bin/Container for it yet and I dont know how I am supposed to fit this stuff in my chevy Spark LOL!

LOL, my husband drives a Spark! It takes a bit of maneuvering, but you can make it work.
 

Cavies4EverEver

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LOL, my husband drives a Spark! It takes a bit of maneuvering, but you can make it work.

i nick named it jalapeno i will probably have my parents help they drive a wrangler
 

Cavies4EverEver

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For those with apartments. How do you store your hay? I think i am going to buy a large trash can from walmart. Will that suffice?
 

bpatters

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If you poke holes in it so there's some air circulation.
 

Cavies4EverEver

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If you poke holes in it so there's some air circulation.

Maybe just keep the lid off of it? Or should I poke holes in the bottom as well?
 

bpatters

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Air won't circulate through the hay if you just leave the lid off or poke holes in the bottom. I'd drill large holes in the sides.
 

Cavies4EverEver

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I bought two large Sterilite containers from Walmart and they seem to work very well for my hay. In each bin I'm able to fit almost all of a 15# bag of KMS hay. I buy both 3rd cut and Bluegrass and it's so nice to have a bin of each.

I've been using this same method for 4-5 years and I've never had a problem with my hay. I just discarded the lids and I store the hay under my cages. With six pigs I go through the hay very quickly though. It might not work if you have to store the hay for more than 6 months.

I have 6 Pigs as well. 4 are 8 days old and the others are 7 months and 1 1/2 years.

Mom and the babies have been going through hay like crazy so I think it will last but it will be used within 6 months for sure!

How much did you spend on the bins you have now?
 
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Cavies4EverEver

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Just went to walmarts website.. Wow only 7.50? I can definietly get 2 of these and saturday I will go pick up my Hay. They are only open 9 to 6 which is my work hours so I cant go during the week.

Should I buy 1 or 2? You make it sound like you buy 2 bales.
 

Cavies4EverEver

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I searched Wal-mart's website and found the one that I have. It's a 18 gallon Sterilite Bin Model # 1730NB. It sells for $4.96 at the Wal-mart store near me. I bought two of them since I always buy two different types of hay. If you have the space they also have a 30 gallon one that looks great. I needed a specific size to fit into the space that I have.

Because I wanted a lot of room for their cage, I dont have a night stand anymore, So I could always put it on the foot of my bed, poke holes everywhere and use it as a night stand at night time LOL! I may buy 2 just in case I I need more. You cant have enought storage bins.
 

BarBGirl1999

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Those 18 gallon Sterlite tubs are the same thing I keep my hay in. I have two...one is full of hay and the other keeps all my other small pet supplies - extra dishes, roll of paper towels, cage cleaning spray, treats, etc.
 

lunarminx

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I store mine in a box from the last box of 3rd cut I got. It fits perfect.
 

Katie Vetter

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I love buying bales! I also have a crew of six, and we go through a bale pretty quickly, usually within at most two months. You shouldn't have to throw any away, as long as it doesn't get damaged. I keep mine in a tote bin in my garage, and peel off flakes into a smaller container for the week. I freeze mine for 48 hours first though, because we've had bug issues before. It actually makes the hay smell even better!
 

Aertyn

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I keep my bales in a hessian 'bale buddy'. Serious lifesaver. Plus, it comes with handles for hefting it around :p I keep it in the garage and invested in a wicker laundry hamper to keep the hay in the pig room nice and neat.

Edit, Did some googling...You guys in the states have weird Bale Buddy's :p This is the one I use.

(broken link removed)
 

Cavies4EverEver

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I keep my bales in a hessian 'bale buddy'. Serious lifesaver. Plus, it comes with handles for hefting it around :p I keep it in the garage and invested in a wicker laundry hamper to keep the hay in the pig room nice and neat.

Edit, Did some googling...You guys in the states have weird Bale Buddy's :p This is the one I use.

(broken link removed)

Thats neat. I wonder if a duffel bag would work.. (I dont want to spend that much)..
I will probably end up with the boxes from walmart. Or end up poking holes in a dumpster bag until I can find something more suitable.... I am trying to picture in my head how large of a container i need!
 
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