The 6 Types of Hay For Your Rabbit: 1. It is rich in vitamins, fiber, and other minerals and low in protein. If you are not sure discuss this with your vet. It can also be a great hay for rabbits who need to lose weight as it has a good mix of stems and leaves. Plus, if he eats different kinds of hay, he will eat more of the mixture. Don't worry. Timothy and meadow hay are easy to find and are often affordable. Please note we have a maximum order of 10 conventional bales. Timothy hay is a popular base for the herbal hay mixture. Three reasons why Timothy hay is so good for your rabbit. Calcium is used to make their teeth which grow constantly and to keep their bones strong. Timothy hay is grass hay that is a cool … Meadow hay tends to be more variable on textures and nutrient content as it will depend on where the hay initially grew. It looks like a dried blades of grass, fairly wide and its color is a soft green to grey/brown green. Hay is good for your rabbit because: It has long fibers that help your rabbit’s gut stay healthy and strong It stimulates digestion, absorption and and helps bowel movements It keeps … 1: Suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchilla and other small pets. This means they can get too many calories and not enough fiber. This is because they contain more fiber and less calcium than legume hay. At that point, transition your rabbit from the alfalfa because it is too rich at this point. You get. However, they will often eat the hay directly out of the cage, which is ideal for those with a smaller area to work with. Hay should look and smell great! It is different from a legume because it has long, hollow stems with spikelet flowers. So yes rabbits can eat alfalfa hay, however they can’t have much of it compared to other types of hay such as meadow hay and Timothy hay. A common cause of obesity and soft stool is over-feeding pellets. Essential for your pet's digestive, dental and overall health and wellbeing. As you can see from the above table, it has a much higher average calcium content than other hays, and is some rabbits this can lead to increased calcium excretion in urine (also know as sludgy urine). It sometimes has flower heads inside. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet, and the fibre part is essential. Scamp usually has meadow hay and is quite happy to eat it so either he was keen on this particular variety or there was just too many other tasty foods to bother with it. mines been on meadow hay dried grass barley hay and wheat she loves it all . A common cause of obesity and soft stool is over-feeding pellets. Contains 100% oat grass hay. Sizes: 35 oz, 84 oz Product Highlights Herbs provide essential vitamins and nutrients, as well as remedies to common ailments. On the contrary, Meadow hay is composed of different natural grasses. Hay eating rabbits are more likely to drink water and therefore will urinate more, which helps to protect them against the formation of bladder stones. 9 DIY Hedgehog Cage Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures) →, 7 DIY Guinea Pig Beds You Can Build Today (With Pictures) →, 9 DIY Hamster Toys You Can Make Today (With Pictures) →. Even though alfalfa hay is good for baby rabbits, it shouldn’t be all they have. https://www.amazon.com/Small-Pet-Select-12-Pound-Cutting/dp/B07CJ2FRNC/. Some rabbits stop or reduce the amount of hay they eat as an early sign of dental disease – if your bunny used to love hay but now doesn’t – get your vet to check them over. Hay eating rabbits are more likely to drink water and therefore will urinate more, which helps to protect them against the formation of bladder stones. Best overall: Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting “Perfect Blend” Timothy Hay Pet Food. A hay combinations also gives your rabbit the best nutritional benefits. The thing with alfalfa hay is that it is high in calcium and protein which rabbits can eat but not in large … We will highlight meadow, alfalfa and timothy to help you choose the best hay for your rabbit. Straw can be used as bedding but this is no good to eat as it has no nutritional value in it whatsoever. Keep in mind that some rabbits may be fussier than others, so it is a good idea to be open to other types of hay. Like adults, hay should play an important role in young rabbit's diet. So yes rabbits can eat alfalfa hay, however they can’t have much of it compared to other types of hay such as meadow hay and Timothy hay. Different rabbits have different requirements for calcium – not all rabbits are the same. Fiber is perhaps the most … What do rabbits should eat in greater quantities? At least one chapter of the House Rabbit Society (the San Diego chapter, on its website) recommends, in addition to timothy hay and orchard grass, oat hay, which is apparently particularly rich in fiber. These include preventing dental issues by keeping their teeth from growing too long, maintaining intestinal health, and providing the right amount of fiber, protein, and other vitamins and minerals. Look for nice green hay. Typically, timothy hay is affordable compared to other hays, and it is the most popular feed choice for rabbits. Alfalfa Hay: is mostly consumed by underweight, young rabbits under 8 months and old/weak rabbits. The main diet for a rabbit is either fresh grass or hay. Many rabbits prefer a mixture of these hays, if you can provide it, however the most simple option is for a diet of mainly oaten hay. Alfalfa is a legume from the pea family that is high in minerals and provides plenty of energy. Keep in mind that some rabbits may be fussier than others, so it is a good idea to be open to other types of hay. Some rabbits may prefer the softer texture of this hay. Meadow Hay This is new season hay. Cutting – Unknown. A rabbit’s digestion of food relies on a system that moves food through their gut very quickly. You can also find this as a healthy addition to a hay blend. Timothy, Oaten, Wheaten, Pasture, Paddock, Meadow or Ryegrass hays. Hay that is damp, dusty or moldy should be avoided, as is hay with any obvious mites or insects present (there is a slight risk of myxomatosis transmission through insect contaminated hay). It provides high amounts of calcium and protein that is essential for growth, but if fed exclusively to an adult rabbit, it can cause urinary stones due to the high calcium content. Clover, hibiscus, lavender, rose, and elderflower are also great additions to this hay. Blended hays replicate a rabbits natural diet whilst providing a wider range of vitamins and minerals when comapared to feeding one hay type and provides variety for ‘fussy bunnies’. The thing with alfalfa hay is that it is high in calcium and protein which rabbits can eat but not in large amounts. Vegetables are often given a bad reputation as a food for rabbits & guinea-pigs. Even though alfalfa hay is good for baby rabbits, it shouldn’t be all they have. Hay is the MOST important part of your rabbits diet. Sun ripened, harvested and barn dried using traditional methods to preserve nutrients and fibre that mechanical drying often removes. Another thing to remember is that your rabbit’s hutch will be filled with hay. Alfalfa (Lucerne), a legume not grass, is also grown as animal feed. Rabbits love hay when it is first placed in their cage. I know that alfalfa hay is rich and high in calories, but I thought timothy hay was good. In Australia, the most common types of hay available are Oaten, Timothy, Grass/Meadow and Lucerne. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's daily intake. Type – Oat. We mix Western Timothy with chamomile, lavender, lemon balm and clover to create a one-of-a-kind taste experience pets love. Chewing on hay grinds your rabbit's ever-growing teeth down to a safe level, preventing ulcers, abscesses and eye problems. Providing a mix of different hay types, spraying hay with apple juice, or hiding their pellets / treats in the hay often increases a bunnies consumption! It will also be high in fiber. Growing Barley Fodder - Cheap and Easy Fodder system - Duration: 8:36. TYPES OF HAY In Australia, the most common types of hay available are Oaten, Timothy, Grass/Meadow and Lucerne. There is plenty of fiber and protein in timothy hay to keep your rabbit healthy and happy. As such, the protein and calcium content can vary depending upon what type of grasses are grown. Meadow Grass Hay Meadow grass (also known as ‘meadow grass hay’ is a mixture naturally occurring grass hays which create a nice combination of textures and flavours for your rabbits. Loading... Unsubscribe from Jared Edinburgh? Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. I buy this for my rabbits and guinea pigs. This meadow hay bag comes with 15 Oz plastic bags only. Available in a conventional size bale for pick up or easy banana size boxes for the courier. ... It’s a good idea to mix your pet rabbits hay to keep him from getting set in his ways with only one hay. Legume hay: usually means alfalfa. Sonnenberg Hof Hay 1 kg - Fresh Meadow Hay 1st Cut for Rabbits Guinea Pigs Hamsters and Rodents I Mountain Meadow Hay for Small Animals 4.7 out of 5 stars 25 £14.00 £ 14 . There is a lot of discussion about hay; what types of hay, and how much to feed. If you need … Many rabbits enjoy the crunchiness of the seed husks, and you will see it blended with other hays. Timothy and meadow hay are easy to find and are often affordable. Hay. Each bun has their own preference of what they will like and dislike. high amounts of calcium and protein that is essential for growth, 9 DIY Hedgehog Cage Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures), 7 DIY Guinea Pig Beds You Can Build Today (With Pictures), 9 DIY Hamster Toys You Can Make Today (With Pictures). Meadow Hay. Jared Edinburgh 447 views. Chaff is also an option for rabbits which is cut up hay and this can be added into a bowl of 'pellets or mixes' to encourage hay intake and be a good transitional option. We mix Western Timothy with chamomile, lavender, lemon balm and clover to create a one-of-a-kind taste experience pets love. Hopefully, this will help to clear up some of the incorrect information float Straw is also commonly found though not strictly a hay. Thirdly: rabbits who are deprived of appropriate hay are more likely to chew on their own fur and thus predispose themselves to intestinal obstruction from hairballs. It has good amounts of chlorophyll and vitamin A and C. When golden it contains higher levels of vitamin D. It’s a good starting point if you are trying to wean your rabbits … Fresh, soft, sweet smelling Meadow hay. Oxbow Botanical Hay is a fragrant, enticing hay that pets can’t resist. Hay is nearly impossible for rabbits to overeat, so you want to encourage rabbits to eat as much as possible. An avid animal lover, Roland started this blog to help all varieties of pets and their owners on their journey to living their best lives. Rabbits love to forage, so if you can’t provide forage opportunities, then herbal hay is a good choice. Kind of Hay: Meadow Grass/Hay. 00 (£14.00/kg) It’s a fast process – rabbit teeth grow about 12cm a year. As Wigs said, timothy hay is thicker and so is better for wearing the teeth down, but meadow hay tends to be cheaper. Key Benefits. meadow or timothy) is the one food you should introduce from the start, even if your rabbit isn't already eating it. Presenting your rabbit's hay in their litter tray is a great way to contain some mess and encourage hay intake. Timothy hay is one of the best rabbit hay for adult rabbits. Timothy hay also has "solid cattails" which distinguishes it from Orchard grass which has … This hay is great for adult rabbits. Your pet should have unlimited grass hay every day. If your bunny does not like the timothy or orchard hay, you try this Meadow hay for the rabbit. Aim for a ratio of around 60:40, mixing alfalfa with traditional grass hay. So it’s not “bad” for rabbits, but it isn't not ideal for everyone. On the upside, meadow hay is usually more affordable. timothy hay is the most common rabbit hay and you will find it at most pet stores. After a few hours or so, they may find it less appealing. However, there are a number of benefits of Timothy hay for rabbits. Why Alfafa hay isn’t good for adult rabbits. and they look gorg when they eat it . Rabbits are herbivores and are considered grazers. Lily and Billy are fans of Green Oat Hay, Meadow hay, and a large bale of hay from the local farm (sometimes we mix the hay, sometimes we … Timothy hay is best, though you can also offer your rabbit orchard grass, meadow hay, and oat hay. I hope, she could accept it. I looked at oat hay from timothyhay.co.uk as they dont have timmothy hay in stock. Rabbits have such a great sense of taste that they can tell the difference between hay from the same field that has been harvested late in the day vs first thing in the morning (the later hay has a higher sugar content, which bunnies prefer!). Alternatively a 'hay rack' above the litter tray can work well. There are many other hays available that provide the necessary fiber, minerals, and vitamins, with the main difference being in texture and flavor. This will make the eventual transition to meadow hay only less jarring. Knowing which hay is the best can be confusing, and you want to make sure the hay you purchase is high-quality and free from mold, dust, and chemicals. Meadow Hay This is new season hay. The hay itself is grown under Oxbow's strict guidelines, and is hand-picked, hand-sorted, and less … Timothy hay is the best choice for an adult rabbit, while alfalfa hay is ideal for bunnies once they are weaned and up to six months old. This hay is perfect for the first six months of life (after your bunny has been weaned). Paw-fect for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, degus, hamsters, mice, rats and gerbils. No artificial colors,… It is not actually true hay, as such, but rather several different types of grasses which are mixed and specially kiln dried. Feature healthy high-quality hay and more. If purchasing this hay, it would be wise to know where it came from and what is included; otherwise, you won’t know for sure what you are feeding your rabbit. Ideally a rabbit should eat a pile of hay a day roughly the size of their own body. Your pet should have unlimited grass hay … It provides some variety, although this is not necessarily an advantage, as rabbits often pick out the bits they like, usually the more calorific bits, and leave the rest. The risk, however is that it also is high in calories, which can cause excessive weight gain and may also result in Bladder-Sludge. Timothy Hay Photo: Timothy Hay/Kaytee, Amazon. Oat/wheat/barley hay: similar to grass hay, but your rabbit might like it if they’re picky about meadow grass. Some people may not be able to provide a fresh forage diet for their rabbits, so the next best option is hay. The price will vary with different companies and can range from affordable to expensive. Aim for a ratio of around 60:40, mixing alfalfa … Hay (and grass) keep your rabbit healthy by keeping the gut moving and preventing blockages and GI Stasis. ... Rabbit Eating Meadow Hay - Duration: 1:13. Combined with your rabbit’s daily pellets and leafy greens, hay should make up about 80% of your rabbit’s diet. Sun ripened, harvested and barn dried using traditional methods to preserve nutrients and fibre that mechanical drying often removes. This is a better food for younger rabbits, and more of an occasional treat for adults. Rabbits LOVE vegetables. all hays are good for rabbits . All Oxbow hays are hand-selected and hand-sorted, ensuring that your pet receives the very best that Mother Nature has to offer. Lucerne hay can be used for lactating does, or rabbits needing extra calcium or to put on some weight – if this is the case, contact your vet for more specific advice. You may find your rabbit prefers the texture of one hay over the other. Rabbits should be fed and provided with fresh water daily; hay … However, orchard grass, oats, or meadow are good grassy hay choices. ​From my point … Rabbits need to eat their body-size in fresh hay each day. It is harvested starting in the spring or early summer, and you can grow several cuttings each season from one field. Timothy hay contains less protein and other minerals compared to alfalfa hay, but it provides the appropriate amount needed for adult bunnies. Putting hay directly on top of the litter in the litter box is one way to offer hay. 1:13. Meadow Grass Hay. Aim for a ratio of around 60:40, mixing alfalfa with traditional grass hay. In this case give them the hay first, and reduce the amounts of other foods (but if your rabbit stops eating contact your vet!). Im considering meadow or timmothy hay from hay … It is chopped into very short strands about 3-4 inches long which is no good for feeding to rabbits & guinea pigs as they need long strand fibre. 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