Moldy hay--so angry

[Tiny Buns]

When I went away for the weekend end of August we ran out of hay. Sent the husband to the local feed store to buy a bale--not my usual supplier.

So I've been wondering why the last two weeks it seems like no one is really eating the hay but acting like they are starving when I give them some veggies or the rabbit kibble at night. I did notice that the hay's quality was off: finding matted gross bits of grass?weed crap that no one will touch or corn husks in the mix (pretty sure I read corn is poisonous to buns).

I've also noticed that my babies have been dying. Seems like they won't eat the hay and only the pellets..

So the last few days, as I dig through the bale I keep finding layers of mold in the middle--we store our hay in our 20'x24' workshop so there is no way it got wet or was left out to weather.

So finally after two more 7 week old kits die last night, I decide to grab the new bale that I got from my usual source. Bright green, grassy and bone dry. And suddenly everyone digs in like they are starving to death....and maybe they are.

ARRRRRRR Is it possible that the gross moldy hay has been killing my babies by virtue of them not eating it because it is simply so gross?

Just trying to figure out why no one is eating and kits are dying and mad at myself that I didn't notice the hay was not fresh and moldy/mildewy in the center....sooner.

 

[MaggieJ]

It is certainly possible - even probable - that the mouldy hay is responsible for the deaths. Mouldy hay can kill rabbits - and not just kits.

Corn husks or stalks or even the kernels are not toxic, per se, but can carry a number of micotoxins, which can be a problem.

I'm sorry you had losses due to the bad hay. Let's hope it stops now. Just a hint for the future: when you see rabbits suddenly avoiding a food that they normally eat, it usually is a problem with the quality. When this coincides with feeding from a new bale of hay or new bag of pellets, it is an even stronger warning that something is wrong.

 

[Tiny Buns]

It is certainly possible - even probable - that the mouldy hay is responsible for the deaths. Mouldy hay can kill rabbits - and not just kits.

Corn husks or stalks or even the kernels are not toxic, per se, but can carry a number of micotoxins, which can be a problem.

I'm sorry you had losses due to the bad hay. Let's hope it stops now. Just a hint for the future: when you see rabbits suddenly avoiding a food that they normally eat, it usually is a problem with the quality. When this coincides with feeding from a new bale of hay or new bag of pellets, it is an even stronger warning that something is wrong.

Yes, it's unfortunate that I didn't clue in sooner Steep learning curve.....

 

[MaggieJ]

Yes, but it's a learning curve we all have to climb. No one does things perfectly, even after years of raising rabbits. So don't beat yourself up, just remember the signs for the future.