3rd-cut Timmothy Hay

[ThorBunny]

Hi all! 

I’m sure this has been covered before, but since search is still down, forgive the extra post. 

Thor’s always been great about eating her hay, really excited when I put it down and she will eat fresh hay even when pellets or veggies are still left. However, the girl will not eat a stem to save her life. I’ve tried leaving longer times between hay replacement, refreshing with new hay, etc. She just picks out all the leaves and seed heads and will starve rather than eat the stems. 

So to avoid wasting more hay, I just ordered some SPS 3rd cut Timmothy (we usually get 2nd cut). Question is, did I do the right thing? Is it OK for them to just eat 3rd cut long term? I’m afraid of making her more picky so that we can never go back… 

[Sirius&Luna]

I asked about this recently, as I bought some third cut as it was all my usual hay supplier had… Anyway, any cut of timothy hay is perfectly fine for rabbits. My fussy bunch actually didn’t like the third cut and preferred the stalkier type, but they all have their preferences!

So I would say yes its fine, as long as you know you have a reliable supply of it!

[ThorBunny]

Thanks! I wont worry about it then. Hopefully she likes the new hay

[Bam]

ThirBunny, I just want to add that we prefer it when members start new threads instead of “piggy-backing” on old threads. Especially if the questions involve diet and care. Rabbit medicine is evolving very fast and guidelines change. An old thread from, say, 2013 can contain outdated info.

So just go ahead and start new threads (unless you find a days old one covering the same subject, of course) ?

[ThorBunny]

I’m happy to report that the 3rd cut timmothy has been a rousing success for the first few days

This hay is beautiful and Thor LOVES it. She’s eating all of it (including stems!) and I’ve been throwing away much less. She’s also eaten about twice as much as she used to. So even though the hay is leafier, the poop is still healthy and more plentiful. Added bonus, I was slightly allergic to the 2nd cut hay which was miserable. I’m not allergic to the new hay at all. Win!

[Sirius&Luna]

Yay! Great news hay wastage is the bane of bunny owners lives

[Bam]

Lovely news! Second cut is probably full of pollen. I went past a meadow a couple weeks ago and started coughing like mad, then I saw the Timothy was in full bloom. I’d picked grass for Bam there earlier in the spring and I had no allergic reaction back then.

[Author]

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