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DIY hay?

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Post by Dotdot Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:51 pm

I was just curious if you are able to use grass clippings from mowing the lawn, after being dried out in the sun, as DIY hay?
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Post by Jay Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:00 pm

Good question - I don't know about them dried, you mustn't give them fresh from the lawnmower, as they ferment, but I'll see if I can find out Smile
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Post by Dotdot Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:51 pm

brilliant thanks Smile
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Post by SarahJane Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:36 pm

I always thought you couldnt use clippings from the lawn mower if you had a petrol lawn mower, because of the fumes but not sure about an electric lawn mower x
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Post by Dotdot Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:22 pm

Ahh thats a good point
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Post by NickieM Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:18 am

If you were to spread them out on a surface and keep turning them until they were totally dry, I can't see how that could do any harm. But just as well to wait until Jay comes back as he will check with Anne, who lives near him and is a rabbit expert.
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Post by Jay Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:26 pm

I've just e-mailed Anne with it - will get back to you as soon as I hear Smile
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Post by Dotdot Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:27 pm

Thank you Smile
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Post by Jay Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:27 pm

Ok, I saw Anne this morning and she said this:
The reason you can't use lawn clipping are that a) they ferment, not good for buns, and b) they potentially harbour contaminants such as oil, used as lubricant, petrol spillages and tiny shards of metal from the blades.

So no, they shouldn't be used as hay. However, if you have a strimmer that cuts the grass with a plastic thread, not a metal blade, then you can use these clippings, wet or dry for bunnies - as long as there's nothing like dog poo on the lawn.
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Post by Dotdot Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:33 pm

Now you mention the reasons it seems to make sense, why didn't I think of that.
Thanks for finding out!
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Post by KathyT Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:34 pm

Most hay is made from stalks of grass, not the blades, so dried grass clippings wouldn't be quite the same as hay anyway. Longer cuttings with a strimmer are fine, like Jay says, but be careful you haven't picked anything up with them that might not agree with buns - am I right in saying that docks and buttercup aren't good for them? scratch
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Post by NickieM Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:43 pm

I know that buttercups are bad, especially if they are wet, but didn't know that dockens were bad. Mine get them occasionally. In fact, their flowers are known locally as 'rabbit sugar'.
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Post by Dotdot Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:46 pm

From what I've googled docks seem quite simliar to dandelion leaves :s
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Post by KatieB Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:49 pm

How are the love birds?

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Post by Dotdot Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:30 pm

They are SO in love Love just watching them makes me go squeee!
I've got a couple of very cute photos of them having a cuddle to upload tomorrow. They were cuddling then put their heads down at the same time for nose rubs, heads right next to each other. Had to make sure I gave them equal as I'm sure one of them would figure it out if I didn't! Laughing
They really are a terrible twosome and they've both came out of their shells so well! They really are the perfect match! Love
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