Mixing Rabbit hays

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dajeti2

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Apollo's Acres, Virginia, USA
I have a quick question about mixing hays.

Apollo gets Timothy and Alfalfa right now. A local farmer has given us a big ol' bale of Orchard grass.

Here's my question, can I eventually phase out the Timothy all togetherand use the Orchard and Alfalfa? Or should I keep a small part ofTimothy in there?

The reason I ask is Around here I'm paying way to much for Timothy andit's not even a good quality. I get the Alfalfa at a much cheaper priceand it's a much higher quality. The farmer we'll be getting the Orchardfrom is giving us a really good quality too. But if Apollo needs someTimothy that's fine too.

I should also mention that Apollo gets regular bedding hay as a treat because he loves it so much.

Sorry it's not as quick as I intended.

Tina
 
I think the "danger" in alfalfa hay is is higherprotein content, thus,in concert with alfalfa pellets, providing toorich a diet for many buns. Current thinking among many is tomove into timothy pellets, as well as hay, in order to reduce the richdiet for adult pet buns who are not breeding, nor have to provide bulkfor a meat market in short amounts of time.

Apollo, as a Giant though, might have special requirements, especiallyas I understand he could continue to grow until the age of 1 1/2 yearsand might "need" the extra protein inherent in alfalfa. That,I don't know though, and would hope other giant owners could betteradvise you.

I am toying with and slowly moving toward increasing greens and fruits,reducing pellets and making up for the reduction in pellet protein withalfalfa hay. It a process that will take time and I willeventually determine if it is good and whether to continue with it.

Buck
 
Tina,

Check out Buck's post, "To Hay or Not to Hay."

:)

-Carolyn
 
P.S.

Calf Manna and Purina Rabbit Chow is Cali's Favorite Food.

She won't go near Timothy Hay, and when I offered her an Alfalfa blocktonight, she was the only rabbit in the house that didn't go crazy overit.

The Calf Manna provides the extra protein, and from what I understand, the Purina takes care of the rest of her needs.

Showrabbits, a well-known and reputable breeder of Flemish Giants,(some say The Who's Who of Flemish Rabbits) says that Calf Manna intheir diet is a Must.

Pamnock backs up the theory they they need the extra protein that the Calf Manna provides.

-Carolyn
 
I guess I should have mentioned that I mix one part Alfalfa to every three parts Timothy.

Carolyn, how to I find the post without you bumping it for me?

Tina
 
Buck, Thank you Sweetie. I printed it out so I have it for future reference. Into the binder it will go.
Thank You.

Tina

P.S. Apollo thanks ya'll too
 
Tina, I switchedfrom Timothy hay last fall to the hay that a friend who grows hay herelocally has. I can't even remember at the moment what itis....:?....I've been feeling rather befuddled lately....I think it'sin an old postsomewhere... ....I think it might just be prairie hay, or maybebrome....Anyway, we were buying timothy hay from the store but it gotto be pricey and Igot this huge amount of fresh cut hay froma friend and made the switch. It took him a few weeks to resume eatingit as well as he had before and during that timeI did tons ofresearch. What it all came down to was that basically hay is hay. It'smore or less whatever is most available in your region. It's just thatTimothy is widely available by "packaged form" and that iswhyso many books, sites and such recommend it.

I don't even know if that helps answeryour question, but that's my observation for whatever rambling it'sworth....;)

Raspberry
 
It actually helped more than you know.

I have to go to a local pet store to get Timothy. It is usually hasvery little green and tends to be dusty. It is also getting to be tooexpensive. I end up throwing alot away because it's so fine. Apollo hasallergies and the dust makes him miserable.

This hay looks awesome. Jer, who has to try anything andevery thing before he'll give it to Apollo, said it tastes really good.It'slly affordable and Apollo likes it.

I'm going to be switching Apollo to the Purina rabbit food, and haveorderd the Calf Manna. So between the Orchard, Alfalfa and bedding hay,I think have the big guy covered.

Thank ya'll

Tina
 
Look on Oxbow's website and it will tell you the dietary properties of each type of hay.

Orchard grass is one of the hays you can feed freely, so I am sure aslong as he is getting enough pellets and all, he will befine. It's an alternative grass hay. So is oathay. I use all three for Bo. He doesn't like bunnybrome, not sure why.

I think after pellets, you just need the hay to help with digestion andthen greens if you decide they are good for your rabbit. Iknow some don't use greens, but i do.

http://www.oxbowhay.com/Shop/showProduct.sp?PRODUCT_NO=38&cat=41
 

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