Odd, nutty, almost 'tobacco-like' smell to Meadow Hay from Hay Box - Should I be concerned?

Alamerona

Alamerona

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Hi TGPF!

We recently got through an order for some Meadow and Timothy Hay from Hay Box, and, whilst the Timothy Hay has been fantastic, the Meadow Hay has us a little worried - The hay is green/brown in colour, and is somewhat moist to the touch (Almost like greasy hair, but with no moisture that runs off onto your hands); the hay doesn't really 'clump' together, but does smell heavily with a very sweet, nutty, almost tobacco-like smell that is very different to other hays we've had in the past from Hay Box. We had a deep look through the hay, and could not find any signs of black / white mould, so we just wanted to learn a bit more about it! Is it something to be concerned about? Or is it just a characteristic of large-form hay bales at this time of year?

Cheers!
 
I have no idea, but had also noticed the meadow hay being browner and seeming a bit less dry. Will check whether it's being eaten or whether just the timothy is.
 
How are you getting on with the hay? My haybox meadow hay is still being eaten, though if all future boxes are this brown, I might get meadow hay elsewhere.
 
You are not the only ones.
Hay here is rubbish right now.
I currently have 3 open bags from various sources, and Ruby and the rabbits look at me in horror every time I refill their hay trays.
 
Black piggies said:
How are you getting on with the hay? My haybox meadow hay is still being eaten, though if all future boxes are this brown, I might get meadow hay elsewhere.
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We get our meadow hay from the happy hay co and it’s much better than the hay box one, we had the same issue last year with hay box being super brown and the boys refused to eat it!
 
Thanks for the tip! Will get some of that. Adopting two new piggies this week, one congenitally undersized and now old and frail, so I feel I have to get her hay right at least.
 
Just wanted to add I’ve had the same issues with HayBox meadow hay the last two orders - very brown and quite dry. But I’ve just had a delivery today and it’s beautifully fresh, soft, and green again, and back to a pleasant hay smell! Maybe they just had a bad batch?

The Timothy hay from there has been green and lovely always, but the boys were straight at today’s meadow hay when they’ve been turning their noses up at it the past couple of weeks. Much better quality this time round
 
JaseChase said:
Just wanted to add I’ve had the same issues with HayBox meadow hay the last two orders - very brown and quite dry. But I’ve just had a delivery today and it’s beautifully fresh, soft, and green again, and back to a pleasant hay smell! Maybe they just had a bad batch?

The Timothy hay from there has been green and lovely always, but the boys were straight at today’s meadow hay when they’ve been turning their noses up at it the past couple of weeks. Much better quality this time round
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That's good to know! I received my third order of meadow and Timothy blend from Haybox last week but haven't opened it yet. Hopefully, the meadow will smell amazing when I open it, as it did on my first order. The second order was different but the piggies didn't complain. The Timothy has been great throughout.
 
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