Difference in Hay cut

[hln917]

What is the difference in the cut? If I'm correct, the 3rd cut is the wide leafy part of the grass/hay which our buns like. Is their one that better for their teeth?
Also I looked into Kleenmama Hay that's been mentioned here before. The shipping is high. It would cost almost $50. for 25lb of hay. What are people's opinion on this hay? We do have plenty of farms nearby but I'm always afraid of what bugs/critters I may find in them.

 

[zyymurgy]

Get local hay. Always. XD Local hay is cheaper, and whatever bugs are in there are going to be in every kind of hay. In every cutting, there are some bugs that get munched in with the grass, and there's no way to avoid it. Just think of it as some extra protein for your rabbits. ;3 Your wallet will be a lot happier with local hay, and your bunnies won't know they're not getting the finest in hays.

 

[RodeoBunny]

Hi there, the cuts of hay refers to the number of times the crop has been cut in a season.

1st cut is usually weedy and stemmy, the 2nd cut is thicker and should be leafy and rich in nutrients, and the 3rd cut may have less nutrients because the plant may be post-mature.

Also keep in mind that the 2nd and 3rd cut are thicker, and if it was a wet year and the farmer couldn't get the hay to dry, the quality of hay may be the same or worse than the 1st cut.

Cheers :bunnydance:

 

[hln917]

Now the problem with local farms is finding the 3rd cut Timothy Hay. I called one already and he was out of Timothy until the spring. I'll try a few more after the holidays.

 

[hln917]

RodeoBunny wrote:

Hi there, the cuts of hay refers to the number of times the crop has been cut in a season.

1st cut is usually weedy and stemmy, the 2nd cut is thicker and should be leafy and rich in nutrients, and the 3rd cut may have less nutrients because the plant may be post-mature.

Also keep in mind that the 2nd and 3rd cut are thicker, and if it was a wet year and the farmer couldn't get the hay to dry, the quality of hay may be the same or worse than the 1st cut.

Cheers :bunnydance:

Thanks Rodeo and welcome! We had a wet year here so hopefully I can still find some good hay out there.