Is orchard grass or timothy hay better?

Orchardgrass and timothy hay are both excellent, but orchard grass gets the nod as the best of the two. It has a higher protein and calorie content and balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus.
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Is timothy or orchard hay better?

Orchard Grass is higher in protein (10-12%), higher in calorie content and contains the same balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus as Timothy grass. The higher calorie content of Orchard Grass is a result of higher fiber digestibility compared to Timothy Grass.
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Is orchard grass hay the same as timothy hay?

Oxbow Western Timothy Hay is high in fibre, low in protein and calcium and is a good, basic grass hay with high quality nutrition. Orchard grass is another cool-season grass; it grows in tufts and is more drought tolerant than Timothy hay. Orchard grass has a soft texture and is high in fibre and low in protein.
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What is better for rabbits timothy hay or orchard grass?

Orchard grass is more heat and drought tolerant than timothy grass. Orchard grass grows rapidly at cool temperatures, is very productive in early spring and recovers quickly af ter cutting. Orchard grass, in our experience, usually runs a bit higher on the protein scale than timothy.
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Is orchard grass better than timothy hay for guinea pigs?

Orchard hay for guinea pigs is an excellent choice for guinea pig parents that are allergic to timothy hay or is wanting to provide some variety into their diet. This is another favorite amongst guinea pigs and for good reasons. Orchard hay has a sweeter smell and a softer texture than typical timothy hay.
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Horse Hay. Timothy, Orchard, Alfalfa, Fescue. Is your hay still good or gone bad



Does orchard grass make good hay?

Orchardgrass is a versatile grass and can be used for pasture, hay, green chop, or silage. A high-quality grass, it will provide excellent feed for most classes of livestock.
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Is orchard grass better for allergies?

Allergies, especially to Timothy Hay are common (you aren't alone!). Orchard Grass can be a wonderful alternative for you and your small pet while still giving them all the important nutrients they need. In our experience, people who are allergic to Timothy Hay are less allergic to our Orchard Grass.
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Is orchard hay more expensive than timothy?

Orchard grass hay is not as nutrient sensitive to the time of cutting as the other grass hays, and is also less expensive than timothy hay.
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Is orchard grass bad for rabbits?

Yes, Orchard grass hay is good for rabbits since it contains 32% fiber and is low in protein at 7% which is excellent for your rabbit's health. Orchard grass hay should make up 80% of your rabbits' total diet and is safe to feed in unlimited quantities. Orchard grass is an excellent choice for picky eaters.
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Is orchard grass hay good for rabbits teeth?

This is also a type of hay that can be fed daily. Timothy & rye hay is also available. Orchard grass/hay: is a soft, flat bladed hay with a fruity odour. Yet again this is highly palatable for rabbits due to the sweet smell and texture and is also an amazing alternative to coarser hays for rabbits with dental issues.
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What is orchard grass good for?

Grazing/Hayland: The primary use of orchardgrass is for pasture and hay forage production (Ogle, et al., 2011a). It is highly palatable to all classes of livestock. It is one of the best forage grasses for use in the Northern states under intensive rotational grazing systems.
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Do horses like orchard grass hay?

“As a source of fiber, well-made orchardgrass hay has a place in the diets of all types of horses. When it's clean and sweet-smelling, its palatability is wonderful, and few horses refuse it,” said Kathleen Crandell, Ph. D., nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research (KER).
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Does orchard grass hay have a lot of sugar?

Most cool-season grasses, like orchardgrass and fescue, can have high sugar content. Timothy and crested wheatgrass tend to be medium in sugar content, as are most warm season (native) grasses.
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Is orchard grass good for cows?

A sought-after grass known for its soft, highly palatable leaves, orchardgrass is suitable for horses, cattle, and small ruminants. It has good quality forage with heavy spring yield and moderate fall production but is less drought tolerant than fescue.
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What is the best hay to feed your horse?

Best Hay Types for Horses
  • 1.) Alfalfa. Alfalfa hay is high-protein legume hay from the 'pea' family. ...
  • 2.) Clover. Clover hay is the other legume hay suitable for horses but not as popular with horse owners. ...
  • 3.) Timothy Grass. ...
  • 4.) Orchardgrass. ...
  • 5.) Fescue. ...
  • 6.) Reed Canary Grass. ...
  • 7.) Bluegrass. ...
  • 8.) Bromegrass.
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What hay is best for cows?

Fine alfalfa or oat straw best is best for cattle. Avoid coarse hay for young calves, sheep, and goats. Give dairy producing cows nutrient-rich hay to aid production.
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What type of hay is best for rabbits?

The main diet for a rabbit is either fresh grass or hay. Some people may not be able to provide a fresh forage diet for their rabbits, so the next best option is hay. Timothy hay is the best choice for an adult rabbit, while alfalfa hay is ideal for bunnies once they are weaned and up to six months old.
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What kind of hay should you avoid with your rabbit?

Grass hay is high in fiber, which is critical to maintaining a rabbit's healthy digestive tract. While young, growing rabbits can eat any type of grass hay, alfalfa hay is not recommended for adult rabbits, as it is too rich in protein and too high in calcium.
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Which cut of hay is best for rabbits?

Premium 2nd cut Timothy hay is preferred by most grass eating small animals (Bunnies, Rabbits, Chinchillas, Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, and Tortoises). 2nd cutting is called “second” because it is the hay that is harvested after the 1st cutting.
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Is Orchard good for rabbits?

Orchard Grass is high in fiber and low in both protein and calcium content, which is ideal for keeping the digestive tracts of rabbits and other small animals functioning properly.
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What grass has the highest protein?

Grass and Hay With the Highest Protein

Bermuda grass, which is also a favorite of homeowners trying to grow a beautiful lawn, is relatively high in grass protein. Its crude protein levels can be as high as 16 percent, and it has a total digestible nutrient content of 55 percent.
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Which hay is best for people with allergies?

Orchard Grass Hay can be a great hypoallergenic alternative especially if you have allergies to other kinds of hay. Orchard hay is vitally important for rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.
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What type of hay is best for allergies?

So what can you do about it? - Switch from timothy hay to another type of grass hay (orchard, bermuda, oat) or to lessen the dust, many pet stores have timothy hay cubes. - For litter, switch to a pelleted paper product (such as Yesterday's News in the cat section or Back-2-Nature), or use plain newspaper.
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Does orchard grass hay cause allergies?

Releasing its wind-borne pollen from spring to fall, Timothy grass (Phleum genus) is among the worst grass genera that cause hay fever in early summer. This species is second only to orchard grass in allergenicity among grasses, making it severely allergenic.
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What is the best grass hay?

Orchardgrass and timothy hay are both excellent, but orchard grass gets the nod as the best of the two. It has a higher protein and calorie content and balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus.
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