What grass is timothy hay made from?

Timothy hay is dried versions of timothy grass (P. Pratense), which is thought to have originated on the European continent. Early colonists to the New World brought grass seeds accidentally, inspiring significant wild growth of the grass in the US too.

What type of grass is timothy hay?

Timothy hay (phleum pratense) also known as meadow cat's-tail, is a perennial grass hay used as feed for many animals from small pets to Triple Crown-winning racehorses. Native to much of Europe, an American colonial farmer is credited with being the first to cultivate the grass in North America in 1720.

Is timothy hay grass or alfalfa?

What is this? Even though there are many different types of hay, they all break down into two categories: legumes or grasses. Legume hays include Alfalfa, white clover, and red clover, while grass hays consist mainly of Timothy, bermudagrass, and orchard.

Is timothy hay just grass?

Timothy hay is a grass hay. Another type of grass hay is meadow hay. This is softer than Timothy hay, and may include some edible plants such as dandelions. Because it contains a variety of plants, it can also be a bit more variable in contents than Timothy.

What is the difference between grass hay and timothy hay?

Timothy Grass has a slightly higher protein and is greener in appearance. Timothy Hay is a mix of leaves and stems from Timothy grass, which is a perennial bunch grass.

Timothy Grass

Is timothy hay alfalfa?

Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are different nutritionally

Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are both forage sources commonly used in rabbit and guinea pig diets. Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different. Alfalfa contains higher concentrations of protein and calcium compared to timothy hay (Table 1).

Is orchard grass the same as timothy?

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.

Is Timothy Hay a wheat?

Hay is actually a plant that is cut when it is alive and full of grain. Hay is often a mixture of grasses, such as ryegrass, timothy, or fescue – or it may be comprised of alfalfa or cloves. Straw, on the other hand, shouldn't contain any grain. Straw is the dried stalks of cereal plants, like wheat, oats or barley.

What's the difference between meadow hay and timothy hay?

Meadow Hay is mainly made up of native soft stemmed pasture grasses. These contain more leaves than Timothy Hay, making it have an overall softer texture. In addition to this, Meadow Hay will also contain plants other than grass – such as dandelions, daises, and thistles.

Why is Timothy grass called Timothy grass?

It is probably named after Timothy Hanson, an American farmer and agriculturalist said to have introduced it from New England to the southern states in the early 18th century. Upon his recommendation it became a major source of hay and cattle fodder to British farmers in the mid-18th century.

How can you tell the difference between alfalfa and Timothy hay?

If you understand the differences between Timothy and Alfalfa hay, you'll make the best choice of what feed you'd want for your horse. It's easy to separate the two animals. The alfalfa looks more like pale green legumes. But Timothy hay looks more like long grasses put together.

Is Timothy grass OK for rabbits?

Orchard grass, or other grass hays can be given for variety, but most rabbits prefer timothy hay over other grass hays. Your rabbit should have unlimited amounts of timothy hay.

Can cows eat Timothy grass?

Timothy hay is recommended by many experts due to its ease on various animal's digestive system as well as promotion of bowel regularity. Additionally, there have been scientific studies done that show Timothy hay is an ideal feed for pregnant or lactating cows.

Can I grow timothy hay?

Rake to incorporate the planting site of the seeds in the soil. Sow the seeds no more than 1/2 inches deep. Slowly moisten the soil and keep it moist until the seeds germinate. For growing timothy hay, sow seeds in spring or late summer, you can also plant seeds in early fall.

What is Timothy grass good for?

The benefits of Timothy grass are numerous. It has broad appeal as hay for and horses, but when combined with alfalfa, it makes nutritious forage for sheep and other grazing animals. It is also made into food for guinea pigs, rabbits and other domesticated pets.

Are there different types of timothy hay?

In fact, it varies greatly according to plant type, quality, growing region, and intended use. Timothy hay is more than just forage and has specific qualities that make it a premium feed option for a variety of feed programs.

Is timothy or Meadow Hay better?

Meadow hay usually has the advantages of being cheaper and more widely available than Timothy hay. It provides some variety, although this is not necessarily an advantage, as rabbits often pick out the bits they like, usually the more calorific bits, and leave the rest.

Which cut of Timothy 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.

What is the best cut of Timothy hay for guinea pigs?

Second cut hay is the most common type owners feed to their guinea pigs, and it is usually the most nutritionally appropriate variety to offer healthy adult guinea pigs.

What is timothy allergy?

Common Symptoms

Timothy grass allergy symptoms can be similar to many other pollen allergies and may include: ⁶. Sneezing. Nasal congestion. Runny nose.

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.

Is timothy hay gluten free?

I somewhat cautiously say that there is no gluten in Timothy hay or Alfalfa hay, but I don't think I or anyone else could 100% guarantee that there could be trace amounts of another type of grass in a timothy or alfalfa hay field.

Is orchard or timothy hay better for horses?

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.

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.