Need a new place to buy 3rd cut timothy (RIP sierra valley hay)

[Imbrium]

I bought hay last fall. I just realized it was time to buy more and went to the Sierra Valley Pet Hay website to place an order, same as I've been doing for the last 5+ years... only to discover that they've shut down!! URGH.

I have some seriously finicky bunnies. No one will eat the feed store hay (coastal) that can be found locally (though who can blame them, that junk's yellow!). Alice will destroy pretty much anything green but Nala and Layne are picky little buttmunches. They'll nibble at 2nd cut orchard or timothy but the only thing they really dive into is 3rd cut timothy.

I've found a few online vendors that sell 3rd cut timothy and have reasonable prices if you're buying enough at once - smallpetselect, KMS hayloft and rabbitholehay. The only one of those I have experience with is KMS hayloft; I bought bluegrass from them once which looked and smelled very fresh but crashed and burned with the rabbits (in retrospect, I learned that it's related to coastal, which probably explains why they didn't like it).

Basically, I'm wondering if anyone else who's had to find a replacement for sierra valley hay can offer any insight as far as which vendors' hay (3rd timothy especially) is most like SVPH's or if there's a good/affordable website that I'm overlooking. Money is really tight right now - I can't really afford the $10 or so each to get samples from the websites, so I'm hoping to get a few opinions to help me choose.

 

[JBun]

I don't have any experience with any of them as I get my timothy from the feed store. It's standlee, probably second cut. Thank goodness my rabbits like it as I couldn't afford to be buying them the primo stuff, which I'm sure they would prefer if given the chance.

I do remember there are some people on here that have bought the third cut from small pet select, and from what I remember their rabbits really liked it. But that of course is time dependent since hay varies from year to year and crop to crop. Hopefully someone that actually uses it now will chime in, and hopefully you can find some that your buns like without too much difficulty. Nothing more frustrating than buying hay that you think looks great, placing it in front of those bunny noses thinking they'll love it, then having them sniff it and look at you like 'you expect us to eat this, where's our old stuff, we like that'

 

[samoth]

I voted for SPS based on my experience with the company; however, I have never tried their third cut timothy.

My buck liked their second cut timothy moderately well, but my finicky doe didn't care for it. They both love the orchard medley and occasional oat hay.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

I get orchard grass for mine--allergy to timothy--from Fosters and Smith.

 

[Imbrium]

Thanks for the opinions, guys. I ended up going with KMS hayloft this time because it was the cheapest option (total, anyway - rabbitholehay is a teeny bit cheaper per pound but only if you order 80 lbs) and all three sites had very promising-sounding descriptions of their 3rd cut timothy. Unless they truly gobble it up, I may try SPS next time just to compare. Hopefully this stuff goes over well with my picky little pair! I'll try and remember to update this after the hay arrives (which I really, really hope they bring up to my 2nd story apartment like the folks who delivered the SVPH hay used to, lol).

 

[Imbrium]

Hay came today! It feels way more moist than any hay I've bought before; a lot like grabbing a handful of fresh grass clippings (equally soft, too). Smells super fresh. Most importantly, it passed the taste-tests! Layne and Nala were on the second floor of their condo, so I stuck some through the bars in addition to filling their manger.

^ Layne (punk got excited about the camera and dropped the hay he was eating)

^ Alice

^ Nallies

3/3 booties agree that they like the new hay

 

[JBun]

It's always nice to get the chew of approval. Glad you were able to find one they all like.

 

[Lindsay Gunn]

Hi there! I wanted to see if your buns are still into the hay a few weeks later. I’m in the same situation as you (very picky bunny who will only eat Sierra valley) and he is rejecting all the other hays I have bought to try and compare. Are your buns still liking the hay from KMS?

I’ve been trying to find s supplier from Northern California in hopes that it will be sokoliar to Sierra valleys but haven’t had any luck.

 

[zuppa]

An interesting read thank you I have to learn so much about all them hay cuts and all, I am kinda new here and getting the cheapest hay from petstore or supermarket thankfully my three rabbits never refused to eat it but there was one they definitely liked more than another. Long green hay in petstore looked amazing but it is very expensive don't think I'd ever buy it I buy just simple meadow hay but thinking of finding a local supplier so I could get one month supply at once, I live in an apartment and don't have much storage room unfortunately.

 

[Imbrium]

Hi there! I wanted to see if your buns are still into the hay a few weeks later. I’m in the same situation as you (very picky bunny who will only eat Sierra valley) and he is rejecting all the other hays I have bought to try and compare. Are your buns still liking the hay from KMS?

They are still enjoying the KMS hay .

 

[Imbrium]

Ok, so KMS sent out an email that they were out of their 10/10 (rated) 3rd cut timothy for the year and what they did have was rated around 6-7/10. Big bunny, true to his name, destroys an awful lot of hay and we're in the bottom 1/4 of the KMS box, meaning it was about time to re-up to make sure we didn't run out since I'm still getting used to gauging the hay intake of four rabbits. Since 6-7/10 sounded iffy, I went with Small Pet Select this time. Their 3rd cut isn't as soft (as in, it's got some crunch to it) but looks beautiful and was instantly granted a seal of approval from the super-picky Nala .

 

[KingB]

Hi everyone!

My 6 year old bun has been eating "Sierra Valley Pet Hay (2nd cutting timothy)" since he was born.
Before the SVPH closed their business, I bought extra boxes.
I still have it some, but it will eventually run out.
Before the hay completely running out, I really need to find alternatives.
So I've tried "Rabbit Hole Hay (1st, 2nd and 3rd cutting timothy)", "KMS Hayloft (2nd cutting timothy)", "Small Pet Select (2nd cutting timothy)" "American Pet Diner (2nd cutting timothy) and local timothy hay from our local rabbit rescue.
And of course "Oxbow's" too.
However, he doesn't eat much as SVPH's

I'm getting really worried about this situation.
He's ridiculously picky

Is there any hay out there like SVPH?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Imbrium]

We've settled on the Small Pet Select 3rd cutting timothy, which is a little closer to what you see in 2nd cut than other 3rd cuts we've tried. The rabbits all really love it.

One good option is to find something your rabbit is willing to eat (you mentioned he'll eat the other hays but not as much as SVPH) and start mixing some in with the SVPH (like 80/20% old/new hays) and gradually increase the amount of the new hay over a couple months (or adjust the timeline depending on how much SVPH you have left).

 

[KingB]

We've settled on the Small Pet Select 3rd cutting timothy, which is a little closer to what you see in 2nd cut than other 3rd cuts we've tried. The rabbits all really love it.

One good option is to find something your rabbit is willing to eat (you mentioned he'll eat the other hays but not as much as SVPH) and start mixing some in with the SVPH (like 80/20% old/new hays) and gradually increase the amount of the new hay over a couple months (or adjust the timeline depending on how much SVPH you have left).

Thank you so much for your reply and useful advice!
Yes, currently I'm giving him about 30% SVPH 70% alternative hay.
I still have 2 boxes (20lb each) of SVPH, but I wanted to find hay which he really likes before SVPH's gone...

Oh, I haven't tried "Small Pet Select" 3rd cutting yet, and I'll *definitely* try it!!
Thank you again!! I'll let you know the outcome!

 

[Imbrium]

3rd cut is softer and has a somewhat lower fiber content, I believe. On paper, 2nd cut is a little healthier... but only if they'll actually eat it. Most of our rabbits have had little to no interest in 2nd cut timothy but I've never met a rabbit who could say no to destroying some 3rd cut! 2nd cut orchard (also softer than 2nd timothy) is the next most irresistible hay according to our little warren. Oat hay is also always a hit, but to me it's just way too much work to have to pull the seed heads (oats) out before feeding - multiple rabbits just go through too much hay for all that!

 

[KingB]

3rd cut is softer and has a somewhat lower fiber content, I believe. On paper, 2nd cut is a little healthier... but only if they'll actually eat it. Most of our rabbits have had little to no interest in 2nd cut timothy but I've never met a rabbit who could say no to destroying some 3rd cut! 2nd cut orchard (also softer than 2nd timothy) is the next most irresistible hay according to our little warren. Oat hay is also always a hit, but to me it's just way too much work to have to pull the seed heads (oats) out before feeding - multiple rabbits just go through too much hay for all that!

The SPS 3rd cutting timothy will delivery tomorrow!
We're so excited

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Please update when you can. How did your bunnies like SPS 3rd cut?

We've ordered 45# boxes of 3rd cut tim from KMS for years. Your location is within the state of WA where KMS is located so hopefully you won't pay the same shipping charges.

We have 13 y.o. buns and they've thrived on a mix of 2nd/3rd cut KMS hay for over a decade. Oxbow and Kaytee is minimally nibbled or ignored. One 13 1/2 y.o. gal has only one incisor in front so I'm particular about her eating enough hay for GI health.

Hope you and the bunners will be pleased. Funny note about 3rd cut arriving; our kids will actually periscope when the box is being opened and I begin distributing the new handfuls to their xpens and hay mangers. The yield and quality can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions. I chuckle when I see a wagon of stacked hay bales; i want to follow that vehicle!!

When I can find decent local hay bales (weather plays a role) with clover strands, the bun crew enjoy the clover stalk treat!

Hang in there bunns, new hay to arrive soon!

 

[KingB]

Hi Everybun,

We received the Small Pet Select's 3rd cutting timothy today, and we're pleased to announce that our bun eats/likes the hay!!!
As soon as I opened the box, he came to the box and ate it!
(If he doesn't like it, he doesn't eat like that)
We've tried SPS's 2nd cutting before, but he didn't touch it, so we donated it to the local rabbit rescue.

THANKS A MILLION, Imbrium!!!
We're SO lucky to find this thread too!

 

[NotaCocoaPuff]

Hi Everybun,

We received the Small Pet Select's 3rd cutting timothy today, and we're pleased to announce that our bun eats/likes the hay!!!
As soon as I opened the box, he came to the box and ate it!
(If he doesn't like it, he doesn't eat like that)
We've tried SPS's 2nd cutting before, but he didn't touch it, so we donated it to the local rabbit rescue.

THANKS A MILLION, Imbrium!!!
We're SO lucky to find this thread too!

View attachment 41810 View attachment 41809

I also use SPS and my bun goes crazy! He loves the 2nd cut Timothy and oat hay. I also get a little alfalfa as a treat. The customer service is awesome and the freshness of the hay is fantastic! Glad it worked out for

 

[Imbrium]

We received the Small Pet Select's 3rd cutting timothy today, and we're pleased to announce that our bun eats/likes the hay!!!
As soon as I opened the box, he came to the box and ate it!

THANKS A MILLION, Imbrium!!!
We're SO lucky to find this thread too!

I'm so glad my search for a SVPH replacement was able to help someone else! When you have a super-picky bunn (*glances at 7 year old Nala*) and go through hell to find a hay they actually love, it's your worst nightmare to find that said hay has been discontinued! ><

When I had to wean Nala and Gaz off of alfalfa at around 6-7 mos old, I think I tried 16+ different grass hays (or different blends/manufacturers) to no avail. It was SVPH's 80/20 orchard/alfalfa blend that saved the day! They eagerly ate that, and eventually I was able to wean them off of it onto 100% grass hay.