It's so easy: Make your own hay ☀️🌾
5 min reading time
🌾 Did you know how easy it is to make your own hay? ☀️
Hay is the most important food source for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals. But did you know that you can easily make your own hay? Homemade hay is not only cheaper, but often also of higher quality than store-bought. In this article, you'll learn how to produce your own hay with minimal effort!
1. Choose the right grass 🌱
Not every meadow is suitable for haymaking. Make sure your hay comes from a diverse mixture of grasses and herbs consists of:
✅ Meadow fescue ✅ Timothy grass ✅ Orchard grass ✅ Dandelion ✅ Ribwort plantain ✅ Chamomile
🚫 Avoid contaminated areas! Do not pick grass from roadsides or fertilized meadows. This can be dangerous.
2. The right time to mow ✂️
The best time to mow is a sunny, dry dayIdeally, you should cut the grass in the morning, once the morning dew has evaporated.
Tools for mowing:
🔹 Hand scythe or sickle for small quantities 🔹 Sickle bar mower or lawn trimmer for larger areas
3. Dry it properly – this is how your hay stays aromatic ☀️
After mowing, a gentle drying This is crucial to preserve the nutrients. Here's how to proceed:
🔹 Spread: Lay the grass out in a sunny, airy spot. Ideally on a grid, a tarp, or a dry lawn. 🔹 Turn over several times: Turn the hay regularly so that it dries evenly and mold doesn't form. 🔹 Drying time: Depending on the weather, drying takes 2-4 days.
💡 Tip: In case of rain, you can also dry the hay in a covered, well-ventilated place.
4. Store correctly – this is how your hay stays fresh 🏡
Once the hay rustles and is dry, you can store it. Make sure it remains well-ventilated.
✅ Store it in paper bags, cloth bags or wooden boxes ✅ Store in a dry, dark, and cool place. ✅ Check regularly to prevent mold.
🚫 Do not store in plastic bags! Moisture can accumulate here and the hay can become moldy.
Conclusion: Homemade hay – natural & healthy! 🌾
With a little preparation, you can produce high-quality hay yourself and offer your small animals a natural and healthy food source. It's not only a sustainable alternative to store-bought hay, but you can also ensure that it's free of harmful substances.
Try it out and feed your animals the best, homemade hay! 🐰☀️
📽️ Don't forget to watch our video! 👉
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