How to tell apart different hay?

[Starla]

So today I went to a local feed store and picked up a bale of hay. I never have purchased a bale of hay but I was given a box of hay from tractor supply when I first started fostering one of my rabbits. The hay I was given by the rabbit rescue was very grassy. This hay I bought today is mixed with grassy hay and very very thick pieces of hay. Both were sold as Orchard Hay with a small amount of Alfalfa. The rescue you said that they check the hay and buy the one with the lease amount of Alfalfa. The guy today at the feed store said that there was little Alfalfa in it, I went in to the store asking just for Orchard hay but of course I knew there was Alfalfa in it. The fact he mentioned it made me feel more assured and he even showed me the Alfalfa they sell to see it wasn’t as green as the Alfalfa. Although I’m thinking maybe it’s more of a mixed hay (grass hay and legume hay), which doesn’t really matter to me.

It is clear that this feed store grows their own hay, so I expected it to look a little different than the other hay I had gotten before. I like the thick stands so hopefully those are good for my babies to eat. I feel like they will help grind their teeth way better than the very grassy Orchard hay that was given to me beofr.e

I’m just wondering how I can tell the hay apart? I’m obviously not going to go through and pick out every single strand of Alfalfa hay but if I see there’s a lot of Alfalfa when I grab the hay to give it to them, I will pull out the visible strands.

Let me add why I think it’s a mix of Legume hay and grass hay. It’s because there are pieces of hay in the mix that look like red clover hay (I have been trying to look it up).

Any tips will help, thank you!

(Hope this wasn’t too confusing)

[Starla]

Let me add this: My rabbit who doesn’t eat in front of me and doesn’t eat enough hay (He always has he orchard grass her came with and I give him some Timothy Hay), just ate a piece of the hay in front of me! The stand I gave was a large strand of what I assume is legume hay. I gave it to him like it was a treat and he ate it in front of me like it is a treat. I’m thinking this is a good thing since he really needs to eat more hay!! He’s a small rabbit (3 pound jersey wooly) so I know he wouldn’t eat as much as my 9 pound girlie but I always thought he should be eating more!

[Luna]

I’ve never given Luna Alfalfa hay before, but she does get Orchard hay. I think I’d be able to tell the difference between the two if they were side by side, but I’m not sure of a way to tell the difference if the alfalfa strands are mixed in thoroughly with the orchard strands.

[Starla]

Posted By Luna on 5/03/2017 6:26 PM

I’ve never given Luna Alfalfa hay before, but she does get Orchard hay. I think I’d be able to tell the difference between the two if they were side by side, but I’m not sure of a way to tell the difference if the alfalfa strands are mixed in thoroughly with the orchard strands.

I never gave my first rabbit (Severus) any type of legume hay either before (Alfalfa is a legume hay) until the rescue said that use the O & A hay from tractor supply (which is Orchard grass and Alfalfa, they choose one with the least Alfalfa). They use that hay because it saves them a ton of money. They work very hard and take in so many rabbits (shout out to Tampa Bay House Rabbit Rescue!!). Since I recently lost my job and have little money making (I still live with my parents, I’m in college). I decided to try out the O & A hay from a local farm store. This hay was different looking but as I dig through it, it seems that some layers are legume hay and the other is grass hay (orchard). I’m happy with it tho, if you ever want to get a good amount of hay, it’s a good idea to give it a try. I live in florida (South of Tampa/there’s no tractor supplies nor rural kings in my county). The hay I bought weighed at least 50 pounds (I think it was 100 pounds but I really didnt ask/ it could fill up at least 3 20 gallon bins and more) for $25. From my research, I’ve some to believe that the thicker hay is legume hay (Alfalfa) and the thinner hay is orchard grass.

Since I brought up the Tampa Bay House Rescue (although this belongs in the rescue efforts section), if you live near Tampa please think about adopting from them. I live at least an hour away and they brought everything to my house for me. You have to foster to adopt and they don’t just give a rabbit to anyone. They come to your house with a playpen (if needed) and help you set up the habitat, they also brought a really cool wood litter box pan holder with a hay rack. They brought me a bunch of hay, gave me litter, gave me the rabbit’s hay, and gave me a presentation (although I knew most of it, they answered ay questions I could have). They make sure you know what rabbit’s really need, none of the myths are ever supported by them.  The best thing about it is you foster to adopt. Meaning if you can’t connect with your foster rabbit within 3 months (I think) then you can get a different one. And if you are bonding and the pair doesn’t seem to match, then you can get a different one. They gave me a gentle rabbit (Houdini) to foster to adopt that I’m bonding with my rabbit Sev. They matched the age range and size preference perfectly. Once you decide to adopt, there is a fee but since they give you so much to begin with, it’s like you are just paying them back for their hard work. This is not relevant to Luna’s comment but I had to add to add this since I brought them up. TAMPA area, look them up before you decide to get another rabbit. Most of their rabbits have such a sad history but they defiantly don’t carry it with them to your home! 

[Luna]

That’s awesome about the rescue – great idea they use with the habitat setup assistance and fostering/bonding. They sound like they really put in the effort and try to find buns good homes .

[Author]

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