How long should fresh hay be kept for before discarding

[Andywilson]

Hi quick question,

I have 5kg of fresh hay from hay for pets, how long should you keep it for before throwing away?

I have two guina pigs and even though they eat hay all of the time, I still have lots left.

Also we only live in a small flat and are still keeping it in the plastic bags it was delivered in, sealed. Is this ok esp in the winter as it isn't sweaty and we haven't got anything else at the moment to store it in. Any bag suggestions for storing this mouch hay in and links?

Any help much appreciated

Andrew and Jo x

 

[lynda1]

Hay is harvested once a year so if kept in a cool dry place it should keep till the following year. Its best stored out of the plastic bags it came in, a cotton pillow case or duvet cover would be good as it lets the hay breathe and stops it going all over the place.
Hay should smell nice, not mouldy or dusty, if it smells fusty then through it away but if it smells good and looks good it should keep for a long time.
Hope this helps

 

[fluff]

stored some where cool and free from damp, hay will last many months, most hay sold in shops is sometimes a few years old, so long as it was made correctly and stored correctly there will be nothing wrong with it.

 

[suem]

smell the hay, as said if it smells musty or not nice it is no good....

 

[Squigle]

We keep our hay in shed all year, and it seems to keep fine. You can tell straight away if it's 'gone off' as it will feel damp and will smell musty, when you start pulling it appart it can often be quite dusty, and agai the dust will smell musty