1st vs 2nd cut

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This topic has 5sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 11 months ago by Miyuki.

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- 05/06/2009 at 1:03 PM
  flippersmom
  Participant
  213 posts
  Ok, guess this is my day for stupid questions!!!!!! Can someone expalin to me the difference between 1st and 2nd cut hay??? I keep thinking that I’m going to order some, but I’m not sure what to order!!! I asked the horse people I work with and they had no clueeither!! All I know is that what I have available in the pet stores around me is truly a guessing game when it comes to quality!! I have been know to empty all the bags off the shelf trying to find the one that looks the best!!!!!!! Thanks for everyone’s help!
- 05/06/2009 at 1:40 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  2nd cut is usually a softer, leafier hay. While 1st cut tends to be more coarse and stalky.
  
  My bunnies do like both- but 2nd cut is known to be more enticing to bunnies especially if they are trying to tempt them to eat more hay or they have dental issues.
- 05/06/2009 at 1:43 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I order 2nd cut timothy hay from American Pet Diner and it is softer and greener than the first cut. I think the 1st cut has a higher fiber content too and it’s stalkier.
  
  I agree about the pet stores too – even the Oxbow hay at Petsmart looks suspect to me and I just won’t consider purchasing it.
- 05/06/2009 at 2:14 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  I know the difference-and it’s exactly what Sarita and Katnip said-but I can’t find the cut on any hay I buy around here! I think I’d have to order it to be able to choose my cut. The hay I buy is locally produced and reasonably cheap (not cheaper then buying a bale) and it’s good quality-just no idea on the cut-I’d guess first though
- 05/06/2009 at 3:24 PM
  riibu
  Participant
  60 posts
  I buy the Timothy Gold (2nd cut) from American Pet Diner and my bunny LOVES it. I also order the Mountain Grass to give him some variety, but I haven’t noticed if he likes one kind more than the other. A 5-pound bale seems to last about a month with one bunny.
- 05/06/2009 at 5:28 PM
  Miyuki
  Participant
  240 posts
  I was under the impression that the 1st cut had more stems and seed heads. I had a hard time picking because my rabbit doesn’t really like harder stems but loves seed heads and the leafier parts! There are a whole lot of seed heads in my 1st cut if that matters to your bunnies! My rabbit is a fan of the BB 1st cut. This website
  
  http://www.kmshayloft.com/hay.html
  
  explains a little about the 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd cut hay. No I’m not promoting the hays from the website I just found the descriptions helpful!
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