Hay

[Gemma W]

Hello everybody,

I just wanted your opinions on rapeseed in hay.
I purchase the shorefields bale from amazon and the last few bales I've had were amazing quality, lovely soft hay that my piggies devoured! However my most recent bale from them is really stalky which I completely understand hay quality can vary but there are an awful lot of what I believe to be rapeseed stems and seeds in it. I can't seem to find anything that says if it's okay for them to eat or not especially in the quantity that it's in the bale. I would say it's almost half and half rapeseed to hay. My piggies aren't eating anywhere near the amount of hay they usually do when I put this batch in but still demolish the last bits I have of the previous bale. It's also making my arms and hands extremely itchy which in the 10+ years I've had piggies I've never experienced this issue.
I will attach some pictures to show what it looks like as I may be completely wrong and could actually be something absolutely fine for them to have and I am worrying about nothing
Thank you

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Personally, I would complain to the seller if there is as much non-hay material in the bale as you say, since it is not what you paid for, or suitable for your pet. That's probably more complicated than if you had bought it direct from the producer however.

I don't know if those plants are harmful to guineas - Google lens didn't think it was rapeseed, but I know that rapeseed is often found growing 'wild' in areas where it has been grown as a crop - but your guineas are voting with their mouths, they don't like it. And if it's making you itch, that's another good reason to ditch the bale and try to get a refund.

(Shorefields have their own website, you may be able to get the bales from them direct)