I believe oat hay is fine as it is high fiber and that’s what is the most important thing.  Since hay is so crucial for them to eat I would say go with what she eats the most of. My vet actually recommended oat hay over orchard hay but Edson refuses to eat it. I am having a heckuva time getting him back on timothy hay after I had to switch to orchard for the bunny sitter!

I believe that the “down-side” to oat hay is that the oat groats are high in calories for the bunny, but I used oat hay for a year with my bunnies when I was in California, and my bunnies loved it, and did very well with it. Its great that your bunny likes hay because sometimes even that is a challenge for some! As Knowltons said, the fiber, as well as the healthiness for the teeth to be mucnhing on hay is most important and oat hay does provide both of those.

It’s true that Oat is high in fiber and that’s great. However, it is also true that is higher in calories. So it’s always good to mix Oat with other hays like Timothy and/or Orchard. Your bunny may munch down the Oat first, but be sure to stay strong, and leave the Timothy there before refilling with Oat right away.

Knowltons – if your bunny prefers Orchard to Timothy, there is really no worry. Orchard is a great hay staple.

Lightchick – I thought the same thing about orchard, that is was so much softer and I worried about that.  You should see the post I had going when my hay dilemma came up! I agree that trying to mix in the timothy is ideal but my guy eats around it.  I was so happy before because Edson LOVED his timothy hay and then after introducing orchard?  Impossible.  Good luck.