Hay How can I find out if the hay is good?

[Ena_MM]

I'm going to buy a bale of hay this weekend. But I've heard about stories of maggots in hays, too much dust, or badly preserved hays. Is there any way that I can tell if they hay I'm going to buy will be good hay? They're in bales so even if the outside looks nice the inside might be bad.

Also, this is my first time buying hay in bales. So I have no idea how much hay is a bale of hay. The person selling the hay told me it's going to last forever if I only have one gunea pig. My other question is, do I need a bigger vehicle? Like a van or SUV? My family only own a normal sized small car with 5 seats. Would the trunk of the car hold a bale of hay?

 

[SFailed186]

A big indicator is how it is stored. If it is closed up and covered, it is probably molded on the inside. Hay needs to breathe, so to speak, especially if it is moist (which fresh hay is). Pay close attention to color and smell. You want to look for a vibrant green bale that is sweet smelling. My grandfather used to have a farm and when the hay wasn't stored right (due to farm hands) and molded, you could smell it. It has a very musty, mildew smell when it has molded.

 

[Ash-Ro060708]

If hay is moldy or bad you can smell it pretty easily. If you are going to store it in cardboard boxes or something, you could always ask to cut it in half to see the inside. Normally the outside is lighter or dryer then the inside and you want to keep it compressed as much as possible to keep it fresh. Make sure it's horse or dairy quality hay, not cow hay.

As for size it depends... there are small 50lb square bales or large 1500lb round bales, just ask what size it is. lol

I have a Neon and a small square bale can fit very easy in the back seat. I got my bale in Sept and I have about a 1/3 left feeding 4 guinea pigs.

 

[Thisisaline]

If you are going to store it in cardboard boxes or something, you could always ask to cut it in half to see the inside.

Preferably one should try to avoid cutting it in half as much as possible to keep it compact and the inside unexposed though right?

 

[Ly&Pigs]

It's pretty rare for maggots to be in hay.

You just want a bale that is very green and good smelling. When I used to buy local bales, I'd take a piece of hay and chew on it. If it tasted like grass and was green and good smelling, it was good for the pigs. You want horse quality hay.

You don't want brown hay or straw.

If stored properly in a cardboard box with top open or a plastic bin with ventilation holes drilled and the top modified with mesh, hay can last for many months.

All hays will have a bit of dust. It's due to the hay breaking down into smaller pieces.

 

[Thisisaline]

Hey Ly,

When I researched about storing hay, most sources mentioned that it shouldn't be kept in plastic as plastic attracts moisture.

I'm not sure if you are aware of this or if there is something I don't know, but I take it that it preferably shouldn't be stored in plastic in any way.

 

[Ash-Ro060708]

Plastic doesn't "attract" moisture, it holds it in if the container is air tight, creating mold. Leaving the lid off or drilling holes all over the container should work just as well as cardboard.

I suggested cutting the bale in half to see the inside colour and it makes it much easier to handle and store.

 

[Ena_MM]

Thanks guys ^___^

 

[KiwiCavyAdorer]

Leafy grass hay is properly grown hay.

If you find lots of round grass stalks and very little leaf then its more like grass straw than grass hay.

The difference between hay and straw is this:
hay contains lots of cellulose
straw contains lots of lignin

they have different functions in the gut.
That's why you are looking for leafy, sweet smelling green horse hay.

Good meadow hay often has beneficial "weeds" or herbs in it. Long ago good hay was not pure grass but had dandelions, plantain, meadow sweet, yarrow etc in it.

If your hay man is good he likely won't mind showing you inside a bale of his that is currently being fed out.

Good luck!