I'm having some trouble getting reliable information on these two.
For the record, I prefer to feed Bandit meadow hay, which is a grass hay but is very seasonal and I haven't been able to get any this year due to bad conditions.
I've been buying oaten hay because that's what I hear recommended after meadow hay. However, when I went to the bunny club meeting just before Christmas, the lady (who has huge experience with rabbits) said wheaten is better because it's not as fattening.
Now I've been trying to find some reliable information on the difference between the two. Some sites have been calling oaten a grass hay, and others call wheat a grass hay, even though they're in the same family and I honestly don't think either of them are grass hays. Correct me if I'm wrong. The oaten hay I buy tends to have quite a number of seed heads in it which I constantly have to strip off, because I believe they can get caught and are possibly the more fattening part of the hay. Can anyone give me any reliable information about wheaten hay? I've found someone selling it (the two local fodder stores I've been to only sell oat, lucerne (alfalfa), and meadow (one has no stock, the other had very poor quality stuff).
So I'm trying to determine (since I'm nearing the end of my oaten bale) whether I would be better off getting a bale of this wheaten hay instead. Good price on the bales, $7.50 and says they haven't got any weather damage. Here's the link for those interested in seeing it: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/gawler-east/horses-ponies/wheaten-hay-bales/1036973246 Though of course it's hard to tell quality without actually seeing it in person.
For the record, I prefer to feed Bandit meadow hay, which is a grass hay but is very seasonal and I haven't been able to get any this year due to bad conditions.
I've been buying oaten hay because that's what I hear recommended after meadow hay. However, when I went to the bunny club meeting just before Christmas, the lady (who has huge experience with rabbits) said wheaten is better because it's not as fattening.
Now I've been trying to find some reliable information on the difference between the two. Some sites have been calling oaten a grass hay, and others call wheat a grass hay, even though they're in the same family and I honestly don't think either of them are grass hays. Correct me if I'm wrong. The oaten hay I buy tends to have quite a number of seed heads in it which I constantly have to strip off, because I believe they can get caught and are possibly the more fattening part of the hay. Can anyone give me any reliable information about wheaten hay? I've found someone selling it (the two local fodder stores I've been to only sell oat, lucerne (alfalfa), and meadow (one has no stock, the other had very poor quality stuff).
So I'm trying to determine (since I'm nearing the end of my oaten bale) whether I would be better off getting a bale of this wheaten hay instead. Good price on the bales, $7.50 and says they haven't got any weather damage. Here's the link for those interested in seeing it: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/gawler-east/horses-ponies/wheaten-hay-bales/1036973246 Though of course it's hard to tell quality without actually seeing it in person.
I probably should have spewed a bit of knowledge at him rather than just countering his suggestions, just so he knew for next time if other people got hay for their rabbit from him, but never mind. I haven't bagged the bale yet, it's still sitting in my car, but I pulled out a couple of green stalks and gave them to Bandit and he instantly ate them, so it can't be bad 
