Hay?

[Smidgeyy]

I just got some Oxbow hay and I was wondering how long the bag lasts?
They're 15oz bags.
I can't find a date on them anywhere.

 

[TaylorMadeChinchillas]

You want to make sure it looks and smells fresh. It will generally look green and not have a stale odor to it. I always buy the smallest bags to ensure it doesn't go bad.

 

[Smidgeyy]

It looks fine to me. I don't know about the smell. My other bag was going bad, that's why I bought new ones. I just thought there might have been a date on it that I couldn't find. XD

I got some alfalfa to use as a snack also. If I'm feeding alfalfa pellets, how often can I give him alfalfa hay? I've always just given him timothy so I'm not sure.

 

[AZChins]

When hay starts to go stale it starts to fall apart and become dusty. Definitely store the hay in a cool, dry place with good ventilation to ensure it doesn't mold. Hay can keep for 6 months to a year, maybe longer as long as it doesn't get moldy or dry out.

 

[Smidgeyy]

Thank you.

Do you have any advise on how much alfalfa hay to give him? I just don't want to give him too much since I feed him alfalfa pellets.

 

[TaylorMadeChinchillas]

Just a handful mixed with his normal hay.

 

[Smidgeyy]

Can that be given daily or every few days?

 

[Stackie]

I wouldn't give alfalfa daily. It is very rich and high in calcium. If you want to give it, I would just give a small portion a few times a week.

Hay can keep for quite a long time. I buy 30 lbs at a time and it can last me almost a year. When I bought smaller portions I used to store it in mesh laundry bags. Now I keep it in large cardboard boxes with the lids open and holes punched in the sides. Just make sure it stays in a cool, dry place. I keep mine in my chins' room.

 

[Smidgeyy]

That's what I thought, thanks.

Maybe I'll get a dehumidifier to help keep the hay longer.