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Is first cut or second cut hay better for rabbits?
Second cut hay is a good hay for healthy adult rabbits. It usually has more leaves on the stems which is more attractive to your rabbit. This hay is greener than 1st cut and not as stemy. The protein and fat content is a little higher than 1st cut and the fiber level is a bit lower.
What cut of timothy hay is best for rabbits?
2nd cut
Premium 2nd cut Timothy hay is preferred by most grass eating small animals (Bunnies, Rabbits, Chinchillas, Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, and Tortoises). 2nd cutting is called “second” because it is the hay that is harvested after the 1st cutting.
Which hay is the best for rabbits?
Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit’s diet. Grass hay is high in fiber, which is critical to maintaining a rabbit’s healthy digestive tract.
What is the difference between 1st 2nd and 3rd cut hay?
To begin with, 1st cutting is the first hay cut from that field for the year. It tends to be more coarse and have more grasses in it. 2nd cutting is usually greener in color and has a sweeter smell. And lastly, 3rd cutting is very thick and rich.
Is grass better than hay for rabbits?
Grass is much the same thing as hay, with a higher water content, but grass clippings from the lawnmower should never be fed, as they ferment and cause gastrointestinal disease. Every rabbit should eat its own body size or more in hay every day to keep the gut healthy but just as importantly to keep teeth ground down.
What are the fluffy things in hay called?
Seed Heads are the fuzzy tops on some cuts of hay. According to guinea pigs and rabbits they’re the best part! We consider these treats so they should be fed sparingly. Especially because of their calcium content.
Can baby bunny eat timothy hay?
Timothy hay is best for rabbits, but there are other kinds that are also good for a rabbit’s digestion. Add in handfuls of other grass-based hays, such as orchard hay, oat hay, or meadow hay to make the transition more appetizing to your young rabbit.
Can a rabbit survive on just hay?
Rabbits may survive on just hay but the fact hay is only dried grass and the presence of nutrition required by a rabbit is minimum in the hay, as a result, your rabbit will get malnutrition. Although a rabbits diet requires 80% hay, they need to absorb nutrition from other fresh greens and pellets.
How long does rabbit hay stay fresh?
While this amount can vary greatly among pets, many pet parents say 10-12 pounds lasts them approximately 2-3 months for one rabbit. A 50 pound box of hay last my rabbit three months, so definitely get the 50 pound one it’s worth it!
When is the best time to cut hay for rabbits?
So, the first cut is when the hay is cropped having grown from seed. The first cut can vary a great deal in quality. Where the hay is cut while still a little premature, it can be highly digestible and nutritious – a good mix of stems and leaves. If left to maturity the stems can thicken and become more fibrous.
Which is the best hay to feed to rabbits?
If there is a third cut this often becomes too leafy, reducing the amount of fiber it contains. It can be rich in nutrients, but the lower fiber content makes it less suitable. All these cuts can be fed to rabbits – but the best cut is any that has a really good mix of stem and leaf.
Why is my rabbit not eating my Hay?
If left to maturity the stems can thicken and become more fibrous. This tends to reduce both palatability and nutritional content. Either way, the second cut is usually made on premature regrowth with an excellent mix of stems and leaves. If there is a third cut this often becomes too leafy, reducing the amount of fiber it contains.
What does the first cut of hay mean?
The cut of the hay refers to when it was cropped in the growing season. So, the first cut is when the hay is cropped having grown from seed. The first cut can vary a great deal in quality. Where the hay is cut while still a little premature, it can be highly digestible and nutritious – a good mix of stems and leaves.