Not all hay is created equal. In fact, it varies greatly according to plant type, quality, growing region, and intended use. Timothy hay
Timothy-grass
Timothy-grass is an abundant perennial grass native to most of Europe except for the Mediterranean region. It is also known simply as timothy, meadow cat's-tail or common cat's tail. It is a member of the genus Phleum, consisting of about 15 species of annual and perennial grasses.
What Animals Eat Timothy Hay?
What type of hay is used for livestock?
How tall does Timothy Hay grow?
Where is Timothy hay grown?
Is Timothy Hay a premium feed?
Is Timothy Hay digestible?
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Which timothy hay is the best?
The 10 Best Hay for RabbitsOxbow Western Timothy Rabbit Hay – Best Overall. ... Kaytee Natural Timothy Rabbit Hay – Best Value. ... Alfalfa Rabbit Hay – Premium Choice. ... Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay for Rabbits. ... Kaytee Wafer-Cut Timothy Rabbit-Hay. ... Vitakraft Timothy Grass Hay for Rabbits. ... ZuPreem Nature's Promise Western Timothy Hay.More items...•
What is the difference between timothy hay and western timothy hay?
Note: Timothy Hay is more suitable for adult rabbits due to the low calcium content. Oxbow Western Timothy Hay is high in fibre, low in protein and calcium and is a good, basic grass hay with high quality nutrition.
What is the difference in timothy hay?
Timothy Grass has a slightly higher protein and is greener in appearance. Timothy Hay is a mix of leaves and stems from Timothy grass, which is a perennial bunch grass. Timothy Hay is high in fiber and low in protein which is a combination critical to the health of rabbits and other small animals.
What should timothy hay look like?
Timothy hay looks like long strands of dry grass. It can be light to pale green or light straw color, depending on its age and quality. The hay should have a fresh-cut grass smell. Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories, but timothy hay has more fiber and a better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
What is better 1st cut or 2nd cut timothy hay?
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 is the difference between 1st 2nd and 3rd cut timothy 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.
What hay is not good for horses?
Alfalfa hay This legume hay is higher in protein than grass hay. However, it has high calcium to phosphorus ratio, which isn't suitable for growing horses. Horses love the taste and might overeat, leading to obesity.
How can you tell good quality hay?
Look for the following characteristics: Maturity - High quality hay will have a high proportion of leaves in the bale, with few or no coarse stems or seed heads. Condition - High quality hay will contain little dust or mold. Color & odor - High quality hay generally has a bright green color and a sweet, fresh odor.
What are the 4 categories of hay?
Hay falls into several categories: grass, legume, mixed (grass and legume) and cereal grain straw (such as oat hay). Some of the more common grass hays include timothy, brome, orchard grass and bluegrass. In some parts of the country fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common.
Do you need to soak timothy hay?
Many studies have shown soaking hay can reduce respirable particle concentration by at least 88%. Soaking can also reduce the amount of mold present. Nutrient content Some horse owners soak their hay to reduce the amount of sugars, or nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC), in the forage.
How can you tell if timothy hay is fresh?
You know you're getting a top-quality timothy hay if it has a sweet grassy aroma, is pliable and is green in color. If the hay has a musty or moldy odor -- it's spoiled. Don't feed it to your pet, or he could get sick.
Do mites live in timothy hay?
These very small (<1 mm), light colored, cigar-shaped mites are probably just as abundant in Indiana, but our acreage of pure stands of timothy hay are likely less common, and the mites and their activities seldom noticed. The mites' feeding causes leaf rolling, as plant cells are punctured.
Can rabbits have Western timothy hay?
Oxbow's all-natural Western Timothy Hay is a nutritious, sweet-smelling grass that will stimulate the appetite of your rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, or other small pet. Western Timothy is the #1 vet-recommended hay for small herbivores.
Is Western timothy hay good for rabbits?
Western Timothy grass hay with high-fiber, low-protein and low-calcium content, helps keep the gastrointestinal tract of rabbits and small herbivores functioning properly. Western Timothy hay will help prevent obesity, maintain a healthy urinary system and improve overall health.
What are the 4 categories of hay?
Hay falls into several categories: grass, legume, mixed (grass and legume) and cereal grain straw (such as oat hay). Some of the more common grass hays include timothy, brome, orchard grass and bluegrass. In some parts of the country fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common.
Which cut of timothy hay is best for horses?
Second Cutting This is the most common cutting of hay that horse owners give to their horses, and for a good reason. It is greener and more substantial, with more leaves and a sweet smell. This hay contains a lot of protein and fat, so it is excellent for horses that exercise.
What is Timothy Hay? 24 Facts and Benefits - Online Guinea Pig Care
Timothy hay is vital for guinea pigs to eat as part of their daily staple diet. So what is Timothy Hay, what makes it so important, and what makes it different from other types of hay you can get?
Where Does Timothy Hay Grow? - Anderson Hay
Timothy hay (phleum pratense) also known as meadow cat's-tail, is a perennial grass hay used as feed for many animals from small pets to Triple Crown-winning racehorses.Native to much of Europe, an American colonial farmer is credited with being the first to cultivate the grass in North America in 1720.
What is the difference between Timothy hay and Bermuda grass hay?
Timothy hay and Bermuda grass hay are both types of grass hays that are typically fed to horses. Bermudagrass comes in a few different variations. In our region, South Louisiana, most people feed their horses Alicia Bermuda grass hay.
What is Timothy grass used for?
Timothy grass is good for many things. It can be used for hay for horses either by itself or mixed with Alfalfa. Timothy is also used to feed cows and other grazing animals, plus it’s suitable for feeding small pets like rabbits or domestic mice.
What is the best grass hay?
Timothy hay is the top choice of all grass hays, and it’s the most expensive, but it also has a higher nutrient content and contains plenty of fiber.
What is the percentage of crude protein in Bermuda grass hay?
Bermuda grass hay. 8.4 to 10 percent crude protein. 31.4 percent. 2 to 1. Choosing the correct type of hay for your horse is a crucial part of keeping them healthy. Horses are herbivores and need to eat a lot to maintain their health.
What is hay for horses?
High-quality hay provides the necessary nutrients a horse needs for growth and energy. But just like people, not all horses are alike, so there’s a wide variety of different types of hay you can choose from that best suits your animal’s needs!
How much calcium should a horse have?
Horses need to consume 0.15-1.5% of calcium and 0.15-0.6% of phosphorus. Calcium helps the brain and nerves work. And phosphorus helps muscles, heart, and intestines work well. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is essential for horses; they need at least as much calcium as phosphorus in their diet.
Which is better for horses: timothy or alfalfa hay?
Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories, but timothy hay has more fiber and better calcium to phosphorus ratio. If you feed your horse a mixture of these two types of hay, it will get the best combinations possible for optimum nutrition.
What is Timothy Hay?
If you are new to the world of animal feeds, Timothy hay comes from grass. The grass that makes this hay is long and with hollow stems. These stems can grow up to a height of 60 inches.
What is Alfalfa?
Unlike the Timothy hay, this hay comes from legumes. But the process of making the Alfalfa hay remains the same as that of the Timothy feed.
Timothy Hay vs. Alfalfa – Comparison of the Features
These two types of hays can bring a big difference to your horse or pet. But remember, depending on what you want, one must be better than the other.
Conclusion
If you understand the differences between Timothy and Alfalfa hay, you’ll make the best choice of what feed you’d want for your horse. It’s easy to separate the two animals.
Can Oat Hay Replace Timothy?
Having hay available for rabbits 24/7 is super important for their digestion and teeth. In fact, 80% of what your bun is eating should be fresh, quality rabbit hay. But eating the same snack all day every day can get a bit boring. Even rabbits appreciate some occasional variety when it comes to this diet staple.
What is the best part of oat hay?
The best part about oat hay is the yummy oats attached; it’s built in hidden treasure. The oats are by far the favorite part for most buns. Oat hay can vary widely in appearance and oat content, depending on the harvest season; new harvests are generally packed with tasty oats.
What is oat hay?
Oat hay is tough and yellowish in color with more hollow stalks than the traditional 2 nd cut Timothy. Don’t be surprised if oat hay leads to lighter-colored poops that look like sawdust when crumbled. The best part about oat hay is the yummy oats attached; it’s built in hidden treasure.
What do rabbits eat?
In the wild, rabbits eat all types of flavors and textures, from fresh and fragrant grass to tree bark in the midst of an icy winter. The diverse smells, tastes, and textures of assorted types of hay instinctively keep rabbits intrigued. A rabbit interested in hay will spend more time chowing down – always a good thing.
Is oat hay good for Timothy?
It’s good for adult animals in need of extra fiber, but don't like 1st cutting Timothy. And good for the hoomans with Timothy allergies, too! Watch out, though. Oat hay is full of fiber and protein, but is also higher in fat. Fed exclusively, it can lead to one chubby bunny.
Is Timothy Hay good for rabbits?
But eating the same snack all day every day can get a bit boring. Even rabbits appreciate some occasional variety when it comes to this diet staple. Timothy hay has earned the well-deserved reputation as the gold standard for healthy adult small animals.
Do rabbits chew hay?
The different textures of various hays/grasses can even cause a rabbit to chew in multiple ways, thus doing an especially good job of uniformly wearing down the molars.
What Animals Eat Timothy Hay?
Small animals also benefit from the high fiber levels of timothy hay. It is widely used as feed for rabbits, chinchillas, degus, and gerbils fed in unlimited quantities and is very important for their digestive health.
What type of hay is used for livestock?
Types of Hay for Livestock. The two most popular types of hay used as feed for livestock are legumes and grass hay. Alfalfa hay is the most well-known and widely fed legume (called “lucerne” in many parts of the world), and clovers areanother type of legume that are also commonly incorporated in many feed programs.
How tall does Timothy Hay grow?
long, hollow stems that grow up to 60 inches tall with leaves that can grow up to 17 inches. The heads (inflorescence) of timothy hay are usually 3-6 inches long and are densely packed with spikelets that flower when mature.
Where is Timothy hay grown?
Most growing regions that are well known for producing Timothy hay are found at the base of a major mountain range, where winds coming off the mountains dry cut hay before sun bleach sets in . Timothy hay is used most often as cattle and horse feed. Its low protein, high fiber, and high energy content make it easily digestible.
Is Timothy Hay a premium feed?
Not all hay is created equal. In fact, it varies greatly according to plant type, quality, growing region, and intended use. Timothy hay is more than just forage and has specific qualities that make it a premium feed option for a variety of feed programs.
Is Timothy Hay digestible?
Its low protein, high fiber, and high energy content make it easily digestible. Due to its low protein levels, Timothy hay can be fed regularly to satisfy appetite without excess calories and protein, and in some cases provides enough protein for less active and stabled horses.
