What's the difference between alfalfa and timothy hay?

Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories, but timothy hay has more fiber and better calcium to phosphorus ratio. If you feed your horse a mixture of these two types of hay, it will get the best combinations possible for optimum nutrition.

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.

Should rabbits have timothy hay or alfalfa?

How Much Hay Do I Give My Rabbit? You can give rabbits an unlimited supply of hay. Timothy Hay or Oat Hay are good sources of fibre. The only hay that should be limited or even completely eliminated from the diet of an adult rabbit is alfalfa hay.

What is the healthiest hay for horses?

Legume Hay for Horses

Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. Benefits: Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A.

Is timothy hay or alfalfa better for horses?

Alfalfa hay is typically higher in protein and essential nutrients than timothy hay, making Alfalfa a better option for more active animals that need a high protein diet. Alfalfa also has more calories per pound than timothy, so it's generally the preferred choice of sport horse owners.

Alfalfa Hay vs. Timothy Hay How to tell the difference

Can horses graze on alfalfa?

Alfalfa can be grazed as a single-species or mixed with grass. Red or white clover doesn't regrow well when grazed by horses, so it's best to mix with grass. Alfalfa and red clover can be appropriate pasture species for horses diagnosed with metabolic disorders.

Is alfalfa bad for bunnies?

Young rabbits less than six months of age, can be fed alfalfa hay rather than timothy hay. Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calcium and lower in fiber than timothy hay. This is acceptable, even desirable, in young, rapidly developing rabbits. But alfalfa hay is unhealthy for adult rabbits.

What brand of hay is best for rabbits?

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.

What is alfalfa hay good for?

Alfalfa is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for good health, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron. It's an excellent source of high-quality fiber that produces slow-release energy, which helps maintain weight and promote healthy digestion.

Does alfalfa make a horse hot?

Alfalfa hay will make a horse hot, or crazy.

Not so, if fed appropriately. Alfalfa provides a significant amount of calories; however, an excess of calories in any form, whether from alfalfa, grain or oil, without the exercise to burn them, can result in an excessively energetic horse.

What hay has lowest sugar?

Low sugar hay is extremely important in a horse's diet due to its health properties and the enormous benefits it can offer. While lucerne usually has lower sugar than a lot of grass hays, it more often than not tests HIGHER in sugar, starch & protein compared to our Low Sugar Hay.

What hay is bad for rabbits?

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.

How long do bunnies eat alfalfa hay?

While still nursing, Alfalfa Hay should be introduced starting at about three weeks and should continue until about six months of age. Alfalfa Hay contains high protein, fiber and calcium. Plenty of good fresh Alfalfa Hay should be fed to a young rabbit daily along with vegetables and pellets in small amounts.

What kind of hay do bunnies eat?

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.

Is alfalfa hay good for older rabbits?

We recommend that their diet consists of at least 80% grass hay. Alfalfa Hay is not a grass hay and while it's high in fiber, it is also high in fat and proteins making it great for baby rabbits under 7 months but not so great for adult rabbits as a mainstay.

How much hay should a rabbit have?

Rabbits need at least one bundle of good quality hay that's as big as they are every day! Good quality, fresh hay should be available at all times and, ideally, rabbits should have access to growing grass for grazing, or kiln-dried grass.

What can I feed my rabbit instead of hay?

PS: In nature the rabbits would always choose fresh leaves instead of dried ones or hay. The most time of the year fresh leaves are available, so pet owners have no need to force their rabbits to eat hay, when they eat enough fresh leave-like greens instead.

Is alfalfa hard on horses kidneys?

Alfalfa (lucerne) products, whether hay, cubes, or pellets, are not known to cause kidney problems in horses.

Can alfalfa cause colic?

Rich alfalfa hay can also cause colic, so we recommend feeding a grass hay or grass/alfalfa mix. Changes in management or a horse's routine can be stressful and contribute to colic risk as well.

Should I feed my horse alfalfa in the winter?

If the weather is really cold and you want to stoke your horse's internal furnace, then feed him an extra flake of high-protein hay, such as alfalfa, every day. When his normal protein needs are being adequately met, the body will use the excess protein for energy, adding to his body-fat stores.

When should I stop feeding my rabbit alfalfa hay?

If you are feeding alfalfa it's a good idea to feed it mixed with grass hay. This stops your rabbits getting so hooked on alfalfa that it's difficult to make the transition to grass hay when they reach adulthood. You should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old.

How often should I change my rabbits hay?

Hay bedding in a rabbit's living space should be changed once a week if the rabbit uses a litter box. If a rabbit doesn't use a little box, this hay will need to be changed once every 2-3 days. Additional hay should be added at least once daily as rabbits will likely consume this hay for food.

Is orchard grass vs Timothy hay better for rabbits?

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.

Is Timothy hay high in sugar?

Timothy hay is considered a medium sugar hay. This warm-season grass measures at the low end of the normal range for ethanol soluble carbohydrates, measuring between 4.7 percent and 10.9 percent.