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Prickly/thistley hay?

newbabybuns

Warren Veteran
Do you think this is ok for buns? Quite a few times I've bought hay and it's had thistles in which have stuck in my hand, so I either don't give it to them, or sit and pick the thistles out. It was in the Bob Martins they loved, but I stopped buying it in the end.

Tonight I've pulled out their meadow hay and got prickled with some actual tiny splinters in my hand about 6 times from 3 handfuls, so surely if it hurts me, it must hurt their tiny tongues? I feel bad they still have a clump each in their hutch now and don't know whether to take it out. I know they come across allsorts in the wild I guess, but these little prickles are nasty ones!
It makes me wonder if any time they have refused to eat for a while in the past has been down to them hurting their tongues/mouth on a bit when I've not realised.

Any thoughts?
 
Ive wondered about this myself in the past, I used to buy bagged hay which was often prickly. The buns didn't seem to notice, although I picked out most of the prickly bits too! The splinters really hurt don't they?!
 
Sure do! :shock: it would be impossible to take these ones out I think. They all tucked right in, so I hope they are ok :?
 
I've been concerned about the quality of some hay which I've bought this year. I found black plastic in hay that I bought at Wickes. I took it back and was met with the response that there didn't seem to be any more in the bag so it was OK. I demanded my money back and will not buy hay there again. In Tesco I noticed that there was orange string in a couple of unopened packs on the shelves. I pointed it out to a member of staff who said that they would remove it from the shelves, but she didn't seem overly concerned about it.
 
I can understand why you are worried about them but my guys seem to cope fine with prickles. I fed them bramble branches and leaves which have big spikes on them and they eat the lot! I trust them to leave alone whichever things hurt them.
 
my lots loves thistles, nettles, brambles and the like, I actually collect them over the summer and dry the out for them to enjoy
 
I am currently in the second month of treating my French Lop Finley for an abcess in his hock. It was caused by him standing on a thorn in his hay. I am very fussy now and don't even put hay in his litter tray because I am worried that he will stand on another one! He has lots of hay in a tray that he cannot sit in!!
 
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