chunks of pellets

[lissapell]

So I have finally gotten down past the top little bit of pellets in the bag. I actually dumped them into a bin for feed storage instead of leaving them in an open bag. As I dumped them into the bin I notices weird balls of something. they were golfball size. It is pellets. so obviously at some point the pellets absorbed some moisture. Should I stop feeding the bag?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I would return it. You don't want to risk them eating mold, and sometimes you can't see it.

 

[lissapell]

AHHHH further inspection shows mold! Hopefully the small amount of they have gotten hasn't been moldy. No one seems sick or unwell.
I had not planned on purchasing another bag of pellets anyway but it makes me upset that I bought it and cant use it. Looks like I will be picking up the rest of my grains earlier than I anticipated

**maybe this is why they have stopped eating pellets!<br /><br />__________ Sat Dec 22, 2012 12:17 pm __________<br /><br />I called the dealer. He said since I have had the bag for a month I can not return it. Looks like I bought 17.00 of garbage.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Looks like I bought 17.00 of garbage.

That's some expensive compost! :x

I feed grains myself, and since starting that, I have purchased a few new rabbits. They transitioned to the grain with no issues even though I did not feed pellets during the transition, only alfalfa hay.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Animals have a tendency to know when something isn't good for them. If they have another option, allot of times they will leave the bad feed. Well except for horses with grain. They will eat bad grain every time. :x So hopefully your bunz decided the pellets were bad and skipped eating them.

It really sucks that the dealer wont replace the pellets but I do understand why. Its kinda like when you sell a bunny. You don't know what happened to that bunny after it left your place. Same with the feed. But it sucks for anyone who buys a large quantity at once. They should take into consideration if the bag only had a little gone from it at least.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I am surprised the dealer wouldn't replace it also. Do you have a "relationship" with the employees at all? As you might imagine, I am kind of a friendly, gregarious person :roll: , so the employees at various stores know who I am and know my buying habits.

I recently left TSC without picking up my bag of shavings (which they have stacked outside the doors), and on my next visit, I told them what had happened. Even without the receipt, they gave me another bale.

 

[Dood]

After a month of storage at your home I can understand why the store is not willing to give you a refund. Consider it a lesson learned and check your next bag ASAP.

 

[skysthelimit]

One of the reasons why I never buy more than 2 weeks of food, I am more than a little worried about storage issues, or finding I have a problem later down the road.

 

[lissapell]

For some reason I feel the need to explain.
I purchased the pellets in anticipation of bringing home buns. Then there was a 2 wk delay in picking them up. So I was 2 wks into the return period before I ever opened the bag. The plan has been to transition them OFF pellets and onto grains/forage. I thought I had to offer pellets while introducing other feeds to keep them from getting very sick. After I opened the bag I found out otherwise. They have not gotten anymore than 2 oz of pellets a day since I picked up the buns 4 wks ago. Which would mean I have actually had the pellets for close to 6 wks. Out of a 50 lb bag I am sure you can imagine how much is unused still.
I do have a working relationship with the family owned feed store but I am not going to push the issue with them either. I understand not wanting to refund the purchase. It has been a while. If it was a big box store like TSC I would. Although, I doubt I would need to from TSC b/c they have a much better return policy

 

[MaggieJ]

Very unfortunate situation, especially seeing that the clumping was likely there when you bought them. I had the same problem - years ago - with some organic chicken feed. It wasn't the manufacturer's fault, but rather the storage conditions at the distributor's facility. I just chalked it up to experience and composted the feed. Better that than sick critters.