The Rabbit Sanctuary - The Rabbit Sanctuary Blog #hay

Hay Variety

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:19:36 +1100

The Benefits of a Variety of Hays for Bunnies

It is very important that bunnies have more than one hay type.

Feeding a variety of hays is crucial for a rabbit's gut and dental health, primarily due to the different nutritional and physical properties of each type of hay. Grassy hays, such as Timothy, Rye Grass, and Teff Hay, are high in fiber, which is essential for maintaining a rabbit's digestive health. The high fiber content helps in the proper functioning of the gut, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal stasis, a common and serious condition in rabbits. These grassy hays are typically lower in protein and calcium, which is beneficial in preventing urinary tract issues.

On the other hand, cereal hays like Oaten Hay or Barley Hay have a different texture and nutritional profile. They are often softer and more palatable, encouraging rabbits to eat more hay overall, which is vital for their health. The variety in texture also plays a crucial role in dental health.

Rabbits' teeth grow continuously, and the chewing action required for harder hays helps to wear down their teeth naturally, preventing overgrowth and dental issues.

By offering a mix of both grassy and cereal hays, you ensure that your rabbit gets a balance of textures for teeth and gut plus essential nutrients and fiber, while also providing a variety of textures to keep their teeth in good shape.

This variety not only caters to their nutritional needs but also stimulates their interest in food, which is important for their overall well-being.

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The essential and main diet for a rabbit is hay and fresh grass.

Hay Facts:

Hay must be fresh and top quality.

You will NOT get that in supermarkets. You rarely get that in pet shops.

Oxbow hay is the best we have in Australia. It is packaged in bags and quality control checks are in place. If you have more than one or two rabbits and are on a budget you might like to explore buying hay in 'bales'. A bale of hay is around 1 metre long and 40cm across. If you store it up off the ground in a dry, dust free part of your home or garage then it will last you quite a while.

Where to buy bales of hay for rabbits

Agricultural Produce stores stock hay in ‘bales’. Depending where produce stores buy the hay in from it is either top grade and fresh or poor grade and old. Old hay is known as ‘Shedded’ hay.

I recommend 3 hay types of hay. Having various hay racks will be handy. To keep the bunny's gut and teeth healthy the 3 hays are working in different ways to support that.

Hard Hay: Oaten Hay

Soft Hay: Timothy or Rye or Teff

Treat & Tempter Hay: Lucerne

All the 3 hays should be fresh cut and top quality. A fresh hay tends to have a greenish appearance. Lucerne should be very green and leafy.

I suggest a hay bag or large hay rack on the side of the playpen with a large litter tray underneath.

Ikea sell a plastic bag holder which we have found awesome as a hay rack.

A hay bag can be made in minutes from a fabric shopping bag. Just cut a hole in lower front of bag. Hang it from a hook (S shaped hook) from Bunnings.

How do you tell if hay is good or not when purchasing?

Look carefully and closely at the hay. It should have a fresh green tinge. It should not be brown and dull. That would mean it has been left in the rain in the paddock. If you are checking a bale of hay then look inside. The outside of the bale might be sun bleached but if it is greenish inside then it is good.

Smell the hay. A fresh, good quality and well harvested and stored hay should smell fresh and not mouldy or dusty.