Farm shop hay

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DMS260820

Just been to my most local farm shop and got a big bag of meadow hay, bit concerned if its safe or not for my pigs. The owner of the farm confirmed its meadow which is good. But can it be full of any bad insects or mites?
 
I buy farm shop hay and never had a problem. As far as I know, even the big branded hay can still be at risk.
As long as it smells fresh and is nice and green.
 
I always use farm hay :) only recently have I changed to hay specifically sold for rabbits and piggies and that's only because they sell it in bulk. Don't forget, pet store hay was grown in the same fields before it was packaged and given a higher price tag! As long as it doesn't smell mouldy and is dry, it's fine :)
 
Eriathwen said:
I always use farm hay :) only recently have I changed to hay specifically sold for rabbits and piggies and that's only because they sell it in bulk. Don't forget, pet store hay was grown in the same fields before it was packaged and given a higher price tag! As long as it doesn't smell mouldy and is dry, it's fine :)
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I always thought pet shop hay was like treated with heat to kill any crap lol . I hate burgess shop hay its so bad quality and a rip off
 
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Skypipdot said:
I always thought pet shop hay was like treated with heat to kill any crap lol . I hate burgess shop hay its so bad quality and a rip off
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Aah it could be! Although i've seen people getting mites and lice still from pet shop hay, so maybe not all of it is. Either that or pet shops themselves host some level of infestation, I remember when reptiles were more my thing people used to get mites from shop bought substrate and decor because the shop stock animals also had mites.
 
The bagged hay I can buy at the pet shop comes from the local farm where I buy my bales direct. I can’t imagine it is treated any differently except it gets bagged. But it is a lot more expensive. £8 for the bag from the shop which would last two weeks vs £6 per bale which lasts two months.
 
So basicly by buying from the farm, your cutting out the middle man and not feeding these monster money making stores like pets at home
 
I have always bought hay direct from the farmer (has little shop attached to farm). The farmer grows it for domestic pets and ponies and horses, but also grows it to feed his livestock in winter so doesn’t spray it with chemicals. As long as it smells nice and looks greenish then it will be lovely for them. Some pet shop hay is awful my pigs won’t touch it, Fusy pair!
 
I have just fed them the hay i got because i just done a full clean out. Its lovely and moist but not damp, and fairly green with pretty wide strands in it. I'm impressed, and i think the pigs are
 
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