I *believe* young hay is tougher then mature hay-but I’m guessing on the fact that 3rd cut timothy is softer then 1st cut.

I’d *think* for allergies-the harder hay would be better. In general people are allergic ot the hay not the bunny, and often Timothy hay is the culprit.

You may find wearing a mask (you can buy them in a home centre near the paint supplies) and gloves will really help you-some one here have found that to work

Sorry for my delay! (Thank KK for helping!) The seeds in the younger hay are tougher and the stems and leaf are greener (not as much now though) It’s less about first or second cutting, though technically it would be the first cut – it’s just not in the same way that Timothy is harvested. Oat typically can grow and mature and gets that golden color even before it’s cut, but if you want to cut it before it matures, then that cutting would be considered Young.

Typically it’s greener than Mature Oat, but while it is stored through the winter months, even the green oat will turn more golden but the seeds are still harder. It also has a little different taste that some bunnies like.

Young Oat though is not recommended for bunnies under a year as they don’t have the mature digestive system needed for Young Oat.

As far as allergies go, both hays would be equally okay as the stems and leafy parts are still the same texture – just the seeds are harder.

I’m wondering if the grasses, like Orchard Grass, would be easier on you if you already know you are allergic to hay.
Just as you can be allergic to some trees but not others.
BTW: Sammy loves the mature hay. Seems like the dryer the better. She snubbed 2nd cut timothy.