Chinchilla Community Forums

Chinchillas => Q & A => Topic started by: mb30 on August 31, 2012, 01:43:12 AM

Title: is there any way to tell when pellets go stale?
Post by: mb30 on August 31, 2012, 01:43:12 AM

Topic.

Title: Re: is there any way to tell when pellets go stale?
Post by: GrayRodent on August 31, 2012, 06:24:24 AM

You shouldn't keep pellets more than 4 months. That's about the limit for most hays' ability to maintain their nutritional value. If they smell or look strange do not use them or you risk fungus related toxicity. Also examine the pellets at the bottom of the bag for signs of mold and moisture. Usually it's pretty obvious when you do that because it smells musty.

If your chinchilla goes off its pellets but not its hay it could be sign there is something wrong with the pellets but not always.

Title: Re: is there any way to tell when pellets go stale?
Post by: mb30 on August 31, 2012, 08:42:45 AM

Thanks

Title: Re: is there any way to tell when pellets go stale?
Post by: lilchinchilla on September 02, 2012, 03:43:53 AM

Gray rodent is correct. You can check the mill date on the package. Quality feed will have a mill date...some feed brands only have expiration dates, which is somewhat dodgy, since it could mean the feed has been on a store shelf for up to 2 years before you bought it. Pellets start losing the nutritional content within about 3 months of being milled, by 6 months, they are completely stale. You may even notice a change in the color of the pellet, the older it is (some turn a light brown or off white color when they are older.).

Title: Re: is there any way to tell when pellets go stale?
Post by: mb30 on September 04, 2012, 10:58:34 AM

Cool..i was at the 4 month mark so i had more ordered and threw all the older food away today. 20kg is way too much for one chin to use within 4 months hahaha.