Mouldy hay!!!

[bunny mummy 1]

My rabbit eats orchard grass and I’ve got it from the same supplier for many many years. I usually buy a bale and it lasts around 6 months. It’s stored in the house on top of Bugs living area (house rabbit with own upstairs bedroom)

I’ve been using this particular box for about 1.5 months and I’ve just pulled out the thread holding the bale together and it’s pulled through a load of really mouldy hay from the centre of the bale. Now I’m stressing as I know mould spores are so dangerous and he’s been eating hay from the edges of this mouldy bale for nearly 2 months! (Obviously what he ate wasn’t mouldy but it would still have spores on it surely?)

He’s a 6 year old large rabbit, giant lop mix type and in good health, what do I need to look out for illness wise? Obviously I’m throwing the whole bale away and will be cleaning the room thoroughly and getting fresh hay etc is there anything else I need to do?

TIA

 

[Shimmer]

I think you've covered it. You would have noticed any contaminated hay as you fed it. As the mould spores have only just been disturbed and you have disposed of the offending hay, I wouldn't worry.

Hay stored in plastic bags is much more prone to mould, so dispense into something else and fluff it out so it can breathe. If it is stored in a box or hay bag / duvet cover in a cool, dry, airy place (off the floor and not against a wall where it might attract moisture), it should be fine. I buy standard 2 string bales and store them in hay bags in wheely bins outside in a shaded area. Hay will sweat (and then go moudy) if it's in sun, and it helps if there's some air flow around it.

As hay is designed to last until the next harvest (ie for a year or more), I think you've just been unlucky with this bale and part of it hadn't dried properly before it was baled.

 

[bunny mummy 1]

I think you've covered it. You would have noticed any contaminated hay as you fed it. As the mould spores have only just been disturbed and you have disposed of the offending hay, I wouldn't worry.

Hay stored in plastic bags is much more prone to mould, so dispense into something else and fluff it out so it can breathe. If it is stored in a box or hay bag / duvet cover in a cool, dry, airy place (off the floor and not against a wall where it might attract moisture), it should be fine. I buy standard 2 string bales and store them in hay bags in wheely bins outside in a shaded area. Hay will sweat (and then go moudy) if it's in sun, and it helps if there's some air flow around it.

As hay is designed to last until the next harvest (ie for a year or more), I think you've just been unlucky with this bale and part of it hadn't dried properly before it was baled.

Thankyou so much for your reply. It’s stored in a large cardboard box and the room is heated etc in the winter as it’s part of the house (not a cold damp room etc) hadn’t thought of an old duvet cover, this sounds like a good idea as I can fluff it out then.

You’re right about disturbing the mould, there was like a ‘mould cloud’ that came out when I pulled the rope out so hopefully it’s not been in the air prior

I’ve messaged the company to ask for a replacement bale and will pick up an alternative today in the meantime.

Thanks again for your reassurance

 

[Preitler]

It does happen that a bale turns bad, I had that with ones that were compressed too much (which happens when the hay isn't dry enough to start with) or when stored improperly like on or against a cold surface, or any other condition that causes local condensation. With mold in the center I would suspect a quality problem at baling, out of your control.

Although the spores are bad, they are essentially dust if no allergies are involved, the really bad stuff are mold toxins in the food, where the mycelium grew, so chances are good that you caught it in time when the outside of the bale was too dry for the mold.

I store my bales stacked in the barn attic, away from the wall and floor, and with wooden beams between each layer for airflow. I buy directly from a farmer, and although I get less bang for the buck I pick lighter, less compressed bales to avoid such problems. If you have the space opening it up to check and store it more loosly might be a good idea.

 

[bunny mummy 1]

It does happen that a bale turns bad, I had that with ones that were compressed too much (which happens when the hay isn't dry enough to start with) or when stored improperly like on or against a cold surface, or any other condition that causes local condensation. With mold in the center I would suspect a quality problem at baling, out of your control.

Although the spores are bad, they are essentially dust if no allergies are involved, the really bad stuff are mold toxins in the food, where the mycelium grew, so chances are good that you caught it in time when the outside of the bale was too dry for the mold.

I store my bales stacked in the barn attic, away from the wall and floor, and with wooden beams between each layer for airflow. I buy directly from a farmer, and although I get less bang for the buck I pick lighter, less compressed bales to avoid such problems. If you have the space opening it up to check and store it more loosly might be a good idea.

Thankyou that’s reassuring. I cleaned the room from top to bottom and threw away the whole bale and box. I have temporarily replaced the hat with a pets at home version (as I needed it asap) but will be buying another bale shortly. The company I bought from said they will offer 50% off and not a full replacement as I bought it 1.5 months ago