Hay more like chaff

[kidsandponies]

Hi all, I buy my hay in 5’ round bales. The bale I am currently using started off fine but now I am nearing the centre it has been cut really short (1-2 inches) and resembles soft chaff. I have been separating this stuff out, so far I have a ton bag full. My question is would anyone feed this? My gut instinct is that the greedy little natives will inhale it and I’ll run the risk of choke or an impaction so it’s destined to become bedding for the chickens. I just wanted to check that I’m not being overly paranoid before I ditch a vast amount of this bale!

Many thanks.

 

[ester]

I'd feed it.

 

[teddypops]

I would feed it.

 

[milliepops]

I've had 2 really fine bales recently and they've eaten it without an issue.

 

[Shoei]

I have had bales like this and never had an issue.

It's often when the hay is really fine and it gets battered a bit in the tedding process.

 

[kidsandponies]

Thank you everyone, I shall start mixing some in with the longer stuff. It’s a relief to know not all that hay will be wasted, it would have lasted the chickens years as bedding!!

 

[dorsetladette]

I've got a few bales like that this year. I've fed it without a problem.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I think it might happen when the hay is baled too dry. It becomes fragile and will get crushed in the centre of the bale. I ended up with a couple of bales of 2018 hay that was like that. It was annoying and the horses ate it very quickly. No-one choked on it though.

 

[milliepops]

mine was cut from short grass, the rubbish growing season this year means there's a bit of fine short hay around here.

 

[kidsandponies]

Thank you everyone, I am going to start mixing it in with the longer stuff. You’ve put my mind at rest and I really didn’t want to lose so much of a bale if I didn’t have to!