Funny mushroom smelling hay

Mervinius

Mama Doe

• Mar 29, 2020

• #1

Hi. I just opened a new bag of ings hay. Which is what we normally have. The first handful felt slightly damp and smells of mushrooms! I got OH to check and he said it definitely does. I can't see any mould, but I'm not sure if it's safe to feed the buns. It's the only hay we have. Eek

 

Motty

Alpha Buck

• Mar 29, 2020

• #2

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't use it.
Can you give them a call tomorrow? They are very likely to change it for you. Is there a local farm/horse feed shop near you that sells hay?

Richard

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

 

O

Omi

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 29, 2020

• #3

Mervinius said:

Hi. I just opened a new bag of ings hay. Which is what we normally have. The first handful felt slightly damp and smells of mushrooms! I got OH to check and he said it definitely does. I can't see any mould, but I'm not sure if it's safe to feed the buns. It's the only hay we have. Eek

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I don't think I'd feed it It really does sound like mould from the smell.

I'd contact them by email and ask them to replace it asap.

 

Mervinius

Mama Doe

• Mar 29, 2020

• #4

This is what I'm thinking. I'm not sure what's open around here now with all the closures. But I can email the company I bought it from. I'm so annoyed, never had this before!

 

T

tonibun

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 29, 2020

• #5

It doesn't sound good to me. It may be because of all the rain we've had. I would try to find some other hay.

 

S

Shimmer

Warren Veteran

• Mar 29, 2020

• #6

I wouldn't use it. It definitely should not smell like that. Contact the company and see of they will replace it - there are likely to be problems with other bags, so you won't be the only one.

Meanwhile, any other hay you can get hold of would be a safer option as a temporary measure -eg. Pets at Home, Wilkos, The Range, etc.

 

Mervinius

Mama Doe

• Mar 29, 2020

• #7

Thanks everyone. I'm emailed the company and will phone them in the morning to see if I can send a new batch straight away.

I will try pets at home first as they are the nearest to me. Just hoping the buns will like it, if I can find any. They are very fussy and I'm very allergic to Timothy hay.

:-(

 

bunny momma

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 29, 2020

• #8

In this case my opinion in no hay is better than musty damp hay.
Mycotoxins can be in hay even if mold is no longer visible. They can cause serious illness or worse, so not worth risk.

 

Last edited: Mar 29, 2020

Mervinius

Mama Doe

• Mar 30, 2020

• #9

We took everyone's advice. Not risking it. The hay company emailed me back last night and are sending a new batch to arrive tomorrow. Very impressed with this!!!! Especially as it's was a Sunday.

Just need to brave pets at home for something for today.

Not sure what to do with my giant bale if mouldy hay..... Any ideas?

 

S

Shimmer

Warren Veteran

• Mar 30, 2020

• #10

Compost it? Save it to put under strawberry plants?

 

keletkezes

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 30, 2020

• #11

Shimmer said:

Compost it? Save it to put under strawberry plants?

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Use as a mulch on pots? Definitely something garden-y. Ooh, maybe pot hole stopper material? As in, ram it in the bottom of pots to stop the compost coming out.

 

Liz47

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 30, 2020

• #12

Sorry your hay was 'off', but glad they're sending you a new bag. I received an Ings order a few days ago, just had a small of the bag and smells as normal.

 

Mervinius

Mama Doe

• Mar 30, 2020

• #13

I'm glad your ings smells ok.

I got the buns some Timothy hay even though I'm allergic. That how much I love them! All the other hay looked short chopped and brown so they wouldn't eat that.

Will use up the damp hay in the garden. Can definitely put it around my strawberries.