How Long Should Hay Be Lept Before It's No Longer Good?

[MushiiPeas]

Hi guys,

I bought this HUGE bale of hay about 7 weeks ago and i still have half of it left, It's still very green and smells lovely. I've got it stored in two black bags tied tightly on top of wardrobe.


I was just wondering if it's still okay, the piggies still love it but is there a certain time limit on fresh hay?

Thank in advance

 

[jenniferanneharris]

I dont know an exact amount... But as long as its kept dry and sealed it should be fine for a good few months. Usually look and smell is a big indicator. When it no longer smells fresh i would say it would be time to buy some more.
In the past i have had hay stored in bins and sacks for a good 3 months and it lasted just fine :-)

 

[Wiebke]

Go by look and smell, but as long as it is stored dry and at a steady temperature, it should keep for a few weeks more!

 

[secuono]

Hay stops losing rapid nutrition at around 4mo, then it slowly trickles down. But 1yr hay is still nearly as good as 4mo hay. Even 2 year old hay still has a lot of nutrition in it.
If it's kept dry, aired, no water, no mold, doesn't cook in high temps and kept out of the sun, it can easily be kept for 2-2.5 years.
Buying good hay from the start is more important than age. Buy leafy hay, not stemmy stuff. Stems have less nutrition in them over all.
There are plenty of studies online about hay, look them up.

 

[AbiS]

I don't know if this is true or not but just a thought. I get a lot of my hay from my mother in law, she has horses so every time I am over her way I pinch a couple from slices from her bails. Anyway - she told me that hay should never be kept in plastic bags as it will sweaty and basically ruin it.

As I say - not sure how true it is but I always keep mine in thick paper sacks.

 

[Stewybus]

Hay can be kept for up to a year. It's usually cut between June & September so what's cut in September has to last till the following years first hay is ready in June. Best kept in well aired dry space. On farms it's kept in a barn. I buy a big bale about every 5 weeks & keep this in an outdoor plastic storage box about the size of an ottoman. You can also get hay bale bags if you have indoor storage available. I don't like buying hay in the small bags you get in pet shops or supermarkets. Being kept in these sealed bags is not the proper way to store hay, it needs to breath.

 

[MushiiPeas]

Thanks guys I'll go out and a big bin with a lid to store it in or a storage box, It was wrapped up in a bag when i bought so i thought it would be fine!

Thanks for all the advice!